Jesus… which twenty-four-hour outrage factory sold you that load of nonsense? Every state has its pros and cons. Here in Texas, a guy like Alex Jones, Jesse James, or some ethically challenged congressman can buy the place next door, and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it except wave when you get the mail. Life’s like that. I’m moving to Colorado because I want to. I like the mountains. I like the weather. I like the idea of trying something different before I get too old to enjoy it. And if it turns out I was wrong? I’ll move again. I’ve never understood living your life based on somebody else’s fears. Adventure has always seemed a hell of a lot more interesting than sitting still because cable news convinced you the world ends at the state line.
You never know how much **** you have until you decide to, or have to, get rid of it or move it. As a couple of my close Pals know, going through that right now …… Good for you Jeff, Ryan, you only live once, keep the positive spirit. Everyday is a great day, some just a bit more challenging than others, but man what a life.
Man… getting rid of it feels surprisingly good though… I somehow ended up with three complete sets of The Rodder’s Journal. I knew about two of them. When I stumbled across the third, I just stood there staring at the box like I’d discovered a dead body in the attic. On one hand, it was kind of awesome. On the other… I had to move that damn box. Then I remembered Ben lost his entire collection in the fire. Problem solved. The third set has a new home. The really satisfying part, though, is the stuff that’s been riding along for years untouched. You know those boxes you never unpack after a move? The ones that somehow survive move after move without ever being opened? Those things make me irrationally angry. Every one of them feels like evidence that you’ve been hauling around yesterday’s life for no good reason. So I started pitching them. No ceremony. No nostalgia. Just gone. And I’ll tell you what… I haven’t felt this light in years. For the first time in a long time, I actually know what I own. Turns out that’s worth a hell of a lot more than all the stuff I thought I couldn’t live without.
This is my first summer since Covid that we haven’t been on Kauai… I needed to rent the joint out so I could afford the move. We will be back to our regularly scheduled programming next summer.
Welcome to the northern border state instead of driving into the sun to the east from here 44 years on this rockpile and if we ever sell the place, all the stuff comes with it...package deal Stay strong brother because at some point there will be a big feeling of relief....
I know I gave you my opinion on living here as a Colorado native and my frustrations on what is going on here. Truth be told I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Sometimes when you live in a place forever you begin to take things for granted. The mountains and the beauty that surrounds me. Don’t know if that happens with folks that live by the ocean, I guess I can’t imagine that but yet I do it here. Welcome to the centennial state. Maybe we will cross paths someday, that would be cool.
The gr*** is always greener, right? I’m not moving because I think Colorado is some kind of utopia. Every place has its problems, and I’m under no illusion that crossing a state line suddenly makes life perfect. I needed a change for a lot of reasons, most of which I’ve already beaten to death around here. But one of the biggest is my kids. My oldest two survived what Texas proudly calls a public school system, then went off to top universities and quickly realized just how much catching up they had to do in certain areas. They did it, but it shouldn’t have been that hard. I don’t want my youngest to fight the same battle if I can help it. Boulder has one of the best public school systems in the country, and that matters to me more than just about anything else. Beyond that, I think change is healthy. Stay in one place long enough and you stop seeing it for what it is. You stop challenging yourself. You settle into routines that slowly harden into a life you never consciously chose. Sometimes the best reason to move is simply because it’s time to find out what’s on the other side of the mountain.
I wrote this for something else and chose not to post it… but I saved it and it make sense to me to post it here for something else reason: Frankly, it kind of unnerves me how easily so many people in the traditional hot rod world get spooked. Fellas… hot rodding was never meant to be safe. The whole damned hobby exists because a bunch of kids looked at the sensible path, laughed, and drove the other direction. They stripped fenders off perfectly good cars, raced on dry lakes and abandoned airstrips, drove across the country with no heaters, no seat belts, and barely enough brakes to stop at the burger stand. They didn’t build hot rods because it was comfortable. They built them because comfort is boring. Live a little dangerously. Scare yourself once in a while. Move across the country. Build the car everybody says you shouldn’t. Drive it farther than common sense allows. Chase something that might not work out. And do it where the younger generation can see you. Because I’ll tell you what isn’t bringing them into this world of ours… Sitting in a lawn chair at some fairground and spending the afternoon talking about everything that could go wrong.
Moving. Only did it once. Had lived on the same farm for 69 years. Rebuilt/remodeled a 100 year old farm house into my at the time dream home. Remodeled the 100 year old barn into 4500 square feet of hot rod shop that for over 40 years was the rural headquarters for Cornhusker Rod & Custom. Then one day my wife and I tired of the 50 mile round trips to the grocery store and gas station and other necessities. We built the new home and shop where we are now. I found myself shedding some tears when I drove out of the farm yard for the last time. 13 years later I've been looking at homes in Prescott Valley AZ. Our current home and shop will sell in days for enough money to buy the property in AZ. I question if at 81 it would be a smart move? I envy you Ryan, Colorado was a dream of mine that never came true. Gary at Cornhusker/Krylon32
My oldest two survived what Texas proudly calls a public school system, then went off to top universities and quickly realized just how much catching up they had to do in certain areas. They did it, but it shouldn’t have been that hard. IIRC your daughter got into UC Santa Barbara. No small feet so her Texas education must have done some good but as in many cases not everything is perfect. My next door neighbor was an English Professor at UC Riverside for years before she retired and the stories she told about unprepared students were shocking, so it's not just Texas.
It's a national problem, no doubt about it. Somewhere along the line we stopped treating education like a national priority, and I think we're finally starting to pay the bill for that decision. My middle kid is headed to what I'd consider Canada's Ivy League this fall, and my oldest is splitting her time between UCSB and an FBI crime lab. I'm still amazed she p***ed the background check... especially after they interviewed me. My kids are fortunate in that they're naturally curious and capable of teaching themselves a lot. But even the brightest kids need the right environment. Curiosity has to be encouraged. Critical thinking has to be valued. In my opinion, Texas hasn't created that kind of environment, and that's one of the reasons we're leaving.
Hey @Ryan I have spent time in Texas and in Oklahoma, both while I was in the Army. So I know the high heat and the tornado's. I have read about the various reasons that you have posted, that has made this move necessary, and I totally get that, just the factor of the idiot neighbors would have been enough to get me to move away from Texas to Colorado. But as you have so nobly stated, the biggest reason is for your youngest kid, and secondary, the mountains, and third, its the challenge of change and a new environment to enjoy and get to know! Kauai isn't going anywhere, and you will always be able to return to that grand paradise in time. It takes leather balls to play rugby, and it takes courage and a strong will and a certain amount of self discipline, to do what you are doing! Good on you Amigo! "All things are possible through speed and diligence" Be safe in your endeavors, to complete this move safely and accurately! Thanks from Dennis.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Moves are stressful, I’ve lived in Iowa twice, Texas twice, New Mexico,Wyoming ,and now Wisconsin. What I’ve found is that everyplace has pros and cons, the trick is to find the right balance for yourself. For me NM had perfect weather, also a beautiful place, on the other hand Wisconsin has some of the roughest weather it’s 90 with 80% humidity today, six months ago it was -20 with two feet of snow. Wisconsin is very scenic. However I’d rate NM and Wisconsin as my two favorite places to live. When the heat breaks we will have some perfect summer days and all will be right. Dan
This was a couple years ago...but, when I transferred from Texas public schools to Oklahoma, I was sort of bored and way ahead. So...that doesn't say much for Oklahoma schools when considering where Texas is/was. However, I suspect it was at least a little, if not much better 40 years ago when I made that transition.
Moving &@$!ing ****s, but it is a temporary disruption. before you know it you will be working on another story, building another car and chasing the hotrod white rabbit. In the last 25 years I have moved 15 times. This house will end up being for my daughter, I am not moving unless something happens.
Don't think this hasn't crossed my mind. I went a couple of years ago with Rivian and that was fun... but I know a way it could be even more fun.
Dude, I cut your quote down for space reasons, but this section here is what i've been saying for years. I've had multiple kids come up to me, asking questions, not because i HAVE the car, but because they see me living it out, driving stuff everywhere and everyday. I got this photo from one of them yesterday when he saw me on my way home from work. I'm currently driving this thing cause my roadster needs the trans out.... again. and rather than burning myself out, I'm driving this underpowered wheelie machine. gotta be real. gotta be present gotta be accessible good luck with your move. I don't envy that part. .
Some of the most beautiful mountains in the country. Four seasons, and a fall and spring that can’t be beat. Snow when you’re in the mood. And 12 hours away (if the flights are on time) a whole different world of endless summer. Sounds to me like you’ve got this figured out. It’s not the toys that win, it’s the memories we make with them. And leave behind with our friends, and our kids and grandkids. You’re on a great track for the next set.
Everything is relative. I made seven moves in 16 years. The last time, I moved to Texas 38 years ago from Long Island, NY because I saw my kids starting to turn into self centered, en***led brats who pushed their way to the front of the lines (any line) with no consideration for anyone else, just like their friends. And it only took 5 years for them to acquire that at***ude after moving from central Ohio. Plus I was no longer a happy person there, having to fight everybody every inch for every thing. So we packed up the family again and moved to a small town in the Texas hill country where people actually respected and helped each other, and I took a BIG cut in pay to do it, but it was well worth it and I have never regretted the move. Life is what you make of it and only you can make yourself happy. BTW, thanks for the story on Gray. I had lunch with him yesterday. He is definitely happy with his move and has great tales to tell.
When I moved to Boulder, trying to get a little better deal with the Landlord, I told her I would mow the lawn. "I have people for that, just shovel the snow." I agreed. What a mistake! Two and a half feet of snow would roll in crippling the steep roads. City would pile all the slog on the sidewalks. It was brutal. Buy a snowblower or a plow. Then you won't need it. That deuce roadster is so sweet. How bad is the price of fuel in N.Z.?
I wish I could add something more (after previous post when this all began), but this is like us being the shrike and you lying on the couch sharing your thought and experiences during this major change in your life in so many ways. If I was a shrink, I would say you are on the path to a happy ending when the move is over. There are some really insightful guys out there on the HAMB, even if we have grease under our fingernails.
I can finally say we too have finally moved into a new home near the lake after living in a 150 yr old home, bed & breakfast and antique shop for 20 years. A lot of work getting here but we are really happy. No exaggeration, it took four auctions to get rid of our collections of antiques and collectibles. Living a simpler life is so satisfying. I wish you the same sentiment.
Started out as a second home owner in SW Colorado 40 years ago and moved here full time 33 years ago. I have deep ties here as my great grandfather is buried in Montrose and my grandmother was born in Trinidad CO and my great grandson was born in Denver last year. Recently updated our trusts and wills with provisions that our heirs will be required to have all of our possessions sold by professional liquidators as I refuse to move again.
The Jalopy Journal
