Ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Six months after we packed up and left the ranch for the season, we have returned. We drove early on Friday morning, and after twelve and a half hours of driving, 750 miles and 5 states, we found ourselves just inside of Wyoming, in Evanston. Fittingly, it was snowing in Wyoming. We stayed the night in Evanston, woke up at a decent hour this morning (7 am), to get back on the road. We drove the remaining 400 miles to the ranch today, and guess what? It's snowing! Now, I can hear you thinking - don't they usually drive at least 1000 miles in a day? 750 is nothing for them! Well - yes, we usually do about 1000 miles in a day, but that's when we're sharing the driving duties, spelling each other at the wheel. This time, we were each driving a vehicle and following each other. And let me tell you - I am exhausted. I have a newfound respect for truckers. It's one thing to go on a long drive and only do some of the driving. Doing all the driving? Exhausting.

But for all of my exhaustion, and sadness at leaving California, the moment we came over the hill with the Valley spread out before us, and the mountains soaring up from that Valley, my whole body relaxed. It was like my muscles went "Ahhhhhhhh". It was like coming home.

It took us a couple of hours to get our cabin put to rights and the cars emptied, but we're here. We have the whole day tomorrow to keep settling in, and sort out groceries for this week. Then on Monday morning, bright and early, we get back to work.

And I'm ready. I worked my ass off last summer, and will do so again, but the opportunity to be here, to live in this place, to have this adventure, is worth all of the work and more.

So, I'm ready to go. Ready to work. Ready to breathe deeply of the fresh air and newly appreciate the gift of this incredible place.

Ready? Deep Breath. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.