Advertisement
Published: June 26th 2017
Edit Blog Post
Geo: 39.6314, -106.522
The Happy Valley. More commonly known as the Vail Valley (or Male Valley). Known to some down-valleyers as Eagle Valley. Beginning as Vail Pass drops into the far reaches of East Vail, and extending through Eagle-Vail, Avon, Edwards, Gypsum, and Eagle.
The Happy Valley. Fantastic winters. Gorgeous summers. No crime. No sickness. No "bad" neighborhoods. No minorities. No culture. "Like something from a novel; somewhere in a dream. Everyone is beautiful."
The Happy Valley. A good friend once stated: "this place pierces your soul". In some way or another, for better or for worse, for every person, this place pierces their soul.
The Happy Valley. My home from September 2010 through April of 2011. Vail reported 524" of snow - a record! This winter was my first experience being a ski bum. My job was as a Yellow Jacket at Beaver Creek - you know, the jerks who hang out in the slow zones and yell at you and take your pass for going too fast. (translation: we ski all day and occasionally "educate" guests). Roughly 125 days on the mountain and nearly 2,500,000 vertical feet skied and boarded. Ski by day, drink by night. Everyone is up here for the same reason - to ski, to enjoy the winter, to just have a good time. A playground for those who don't quite want to grow up yet, or for those who have gotten older but still choose not to grow up. 😊
The Happy Valley. I know that some would criticize me, but my months here were some of the loneliest of my life. I never quite fit in to any crowd I came across. Never found my niche. Did not find my home here. For those of you who have found your way here and call this home - I am truly happy for you. This is such a beautiful place to live and to be.
I know that my mom would read this and shout "RENO IS YOUR HOME!!!" I can hear her voice. And anyone that knows her is probably nodding their head and laughing right now. Love you mom. Perhaps, at some point, but we'll see what happens.
I'm sure that "home" comes much more from within than from one's physical location or the people around them. Those things can contribute to where a person is at: guide them, shape them, but not entirely define them. If so, then there must be processes and changes and trials and tears that a person must go through before 'finding' their 'home'. At 31 years old, I have never lived somewhere that truly felt like home. I have never been very tied to a certain place which, in a way, is nice, because it gives me the liberty and freedom to wander and explore without terribly feeling like I have left something behind.
Perhaps, when I first leave a place and truly feel like I am leaving something behind, I have found my home. Or, at least, have gone through the emotional and spiritual journeys necessary to be able to know what home really means, and to be able to embrace it. Until then, I will carry home with me and let it breathe and grow and change and mature, as will I, until we find a place to make an earthly camp for a while.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.065s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 14; qc: 29; dbt: 0.022s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Mom
non-member comment
Home is where you are loved best. That would be here in Reno/Washoe Valley. But, actually, home is where your heart is, so I guess that would be where ever you are!