In 2009 i had a solid job as a food and beverage manager at a premier mountain resort in western north carolina. It was good, i didnt make a killing but i didn't need to. I had a nice cabin to myself with plenty of room for my dogs to roam, the bills were paid and the mouth was fed. Life was fine. I was learning the ropes of the business side of hospitality, meeting people, making them happy and learning a lot about my career potential. However early in 09 i felt a pulling that i needed more. Not like more money or more material things but more like i needed to fulfill dreams, branch out from the branch i had been on. I was waiting for the right time. Then time caught me.
In november 09 i was laid off from my job. I was dating a girl (whom now we are good friends) but at the time. . . well lets just say it wasnt our time. I was leaving charlotte early one morning from visiting my girlfriend, unemployed, single-ish and really no clear direction in sight. Colorado Colorado Colorado . . .it was a dream of mine but until this drive home it was just that, a dream. After very little thought and pure emotion-decisionmaking. I called my Dad and told him that i would be leaving for Colorado on Monday, it was a Wednesday. He never second guessed me. I spent the next couple of days yardselling my stuff, saying my "see ya laters" and sadly getting rid of my dogs. My mom was upset bc she thought i was over-reacting but like the great mom she is, she now is my #1 suppporter. My friends thought i was out of mind, crazy, stupid, ignorant, you get the point. but again, they supported me. As planned i left on monday. Didn't really know where in colorado i was going and i didnt care. On my journey out west i got a couple of job leads in a place called steamboat springs. So after a couple days that involved stops in music city, the gateway arch and random parking lots to sleep i arrived in colorado. it was perfect. i got to the eastern colorado (the front range) just as the sun was setting. there were no mountains but it didnt matter, i had made it to Colorful Colorado. My new life.
I hung out in co springs, went to denver, went to leadville (highest incorporated town in usa), went back to denver. just so happened it was thanksgiving morning and the broncos were playing. um yes! i tail-gatted all day, endulging in your typical thanksgiving foods prepared by hands i did not know. The broncos won and it was a great day. I pulled into steamboat springs a day later. Got a job the day i pulled in and began my new life. I've been in steamboat or "the boat" as the locals call it, for almost two years. I'll most likely be moving on to another place after the winter 11/12 season. life is good.
