The Journey to Jackson Hole: My Decision to Settle Down in Wyoming
When I set out to find a place to call home, Jackson Hole, Wyoming became my resonate calling. The path to this decision was not without its challenges, but it was filled with personal growth and a deep understanding of both myself and the community that I sought to immerse myself in.
Part One: The Mountains Called Me
My journey began not with a conscious decision, but rather through a series of experiences and encounters in the mountains. I was drawn to the raw beauty of the Tetons and the seductive charm of Jackson Hole. The mountains offered a sanctuary where I could huddle close to rock and drink water that gushed from the snow over the rock. The local mountain people, with their rugged resilience and close-knit community, provided a sense of belonging that I craved.
Testing the Waters with Romance
However, before fully diving into this life, I had to test the waters through romance. In the early years, everything felt magical and full of potential. I was deeply in love with a former college classmate from Michigan. We could have been together if I had surrendered my understanding of sanctification for hers. Despite being away at university, I spent a couple of years weighing the consequences of settling down, and it was clear that I wasn’t ready to start painting picket fences just yet.
Even when we broke up, I knew that Jackson Hole had captured a piece of my heart. The landscapes, the people, and the dynamic community demanded my attention. I spent time rebounding and exploring new aspects of myself, including my career and hobbies. I found a niche as a theatrical waiter, singing the specials to my tables to the soundtrack of the first table's choice. This period was a whirlwind of adventures and personal growth, but it was also marked by challenges and mistakes.
Challenges and Reflections
One of the most significant challenges I faced was with my teaching career. I failed my student teaching here in Jackson Hole because I felt I had no choice but to work simultaneously. My failure, after admitting it to my parents, led me to a more hedonistic lifestyle, which only exacerbated my issues. I met the wrong young woman who wanted a baby from me but not a long-term commitment. This devastation nearly broke me, leading to a period of deep introspection and reflection.
The nineties brought further challenges, including a codependent relationship and poor decisions. However, it was during this time that I grew into the community, asking moving companies for advice on impending parenthood and camping by a river. Despite the difficulties, I never truly left the area, and I eventually gained peace with my son's mother and built a relationship with my own father.
Final Thoughts and Reflections
My journey to Jackson Hole is a story of maturation, personal growth, and the decision to settle down. It’s a place that required perseverance and a willingness to push through challenges. In the end, Jackson Hole became my home, a place of grand scale that humbles one, reminding you to live large rather than merely mark time.
As I look through the aspen trees towards the Tetons, I see the construction of a new modern-style gated community, a stark contrast to the tranquility of thirty years ago. It would have been so easy to escape those trials and not make it to where I am now. But my wife and I raised a couple of kids here, and it's where I settled down and plugged in.
How I Met Her
Her story will be shared in the next segment, where I recount the moment that truly brought me to Jackson Hole.