Getting to Know a New Town

It's been a while since I have moved. I have been in the same town for seven years now. For some of us, probably not a big deal. But ask either of my parents and they will tell you for years they never wrote my address or phone number in pen - they preferred something they could easily erase when a year or less went by.

Not that I am moving, I am just testing the waters in a new town, a familiar place but new just the same. I have been going to Mammoth Lakes, California since I first moved to the west coast. That first trip inspired me but didn't make me want to move. It was the second trip that I fell in love with the Eastern Sierra. A camping trip with two girlfriends and a hike to Duck Lake. From then on I made the 5 hour drive every other weekend. Sometimes just for the day to ski. Crazy, but I was in my early 20's.

These days I prefer to at least spend a bit of time in the town before I head back to my own mountain town. Weird - going from one mountain town to another. But like products, they are two completely different brands of experience. Somewhat familiar but definitely different.

My goal: See if we like it for a potential full-time move. Or just somewhere to spend half our time. We know a few people but not enough. We know what to do but wouldn't call ourselves locals. What we do know, we like.

That said, we also have a list of towns and criteria we would like to have for the next town we call home. The list includes, of course Mammoth, but also Tahoe City and Crested Butte, and the criteria lists a pool for lap swimming, a yoga studio, live music, epic skiing, nearby crags for rock climbing and fair amount of mountain biking. While I am not sure where we'll end up, or even if we will move in the end, I am sure we'll have a great time exploring and getting to know a new town.