Summer in Jackson

Lupines on our road, originally uploaded by christysmirl.

We are finding this to be a place in which we can live our values and our passions well, which is what everyone seeks in a home, is it not? That is not to say that this is the only place we could live in such a way, by any means, but that it is a fitting and lovely set to this story.

We live within 10 miles of everything we need, and can walk from our house to National Forest. We believe in supporting the local/slow food movement and a locally sustainable economy, and to that end, we are part of a farm-share from which we get local veggies every week, and we are able to bank, shop and eat entirely at locally-owned businesses. Living with some of our best friends is a good step in the direction of intentional community, and well worth a little less privacy at home. So far we have been able to share one car, since Lewis bikes into town and work. He also reached the summit of the Grand Teton last week, and with ease (over 18 miles of hiking and 2000 feet of vertical rock climbing in under 11 hours). I took a position at Teton County Library and two weeks later was offered a promotion into a position that allows me to do what I love: manage part of the collection, and directly help people find the answers to their questions in reference. On all sides, it feels so good to see your life moving towards things that you have willed or dreamed it to.

Living here is bringing out new sides of us as well. We’ve started growing a million basil plants. We’ve made a pact with our roommate Loren (Adam aside) to cook vegetarian at home, meaning we’re still allowing the occasional dining-out steak and chicken, but that we find it wise and good to decide against meat for the majority of our meals (and we’re open to ridicule if we fail miserably in the face of Saturday morning bacon or summer grilling). I’m considering buying a TV just so that we can watch the Olympics, then sell it again. Lewis has begun painting landscapes with watercolors, to great success. I can touch my toes for the first time in my life.

Phellps Lake, originally uploaded by christysmirl.

I won’t say that we have all that we need, because we do miss the wealth of relationships we have waiting for us in Denver. To that end, we have had several groups of some of our closest friends stay for a few days, sharing swims in icey lakes, the petting zoo at the county fair, gingerbread pancakes, full-moon river rafting, and that amazing feeling that you are understood and loved. We hope for more waves of loved ones to come.

Adam, Lewis, Loren, Shawn, and String Lake, originally uploaded by christysmirl.

We said we would stay for the summer and see what happens, but it appears we’re going to be here for a while longer than expected. Frankly we’re in love with living in a cabin, with wildflowers growing up to our waist, then higher, with moose in the yard and rain on the roof while we sleep. Sometimes bats swoop for moths by our windows in the dark. Tonight some neighbor, across the way through the forest, was playing scales on the violin during a gloomy sunset. Ah! And supposedly there are flying squirrels here—but they only come out at night, one would be lucky to see them by a full moon. For some reason that is as magical to me as if there were gnomes and fairies.

Camping with Snow White, originally uploaded by christysmirl.

Oh: and there are many more photos on my flickr photostream (up and to the right), if you’d care to have a look.