From The Tetons

 Well here I am almost two years since my last post. I figured it was time to tell the world here I am and this is what I am doing. Wow, has life ever changed since I hit these keys. We are now two years and change into a world altering pandemic. I often catch myself wondering if its all been just a bad dream. So much in the world today is unrest and chaos. I am an eternal optimist and I refuse to eat that propaganda. Some people are even joking that we reached our peak as a civilization in The 1990's. I don't think so, it may seem grim, but happy days are ahead of us! I put my faith in God and hope for a better tomorrow.

The last entry I did was from my desk in my classroom two years ago. I had just returned from a trip to New York. I was living in Celebration, spending my evenings in The Disney Parks and traveling almost every weekend. Today life looks a bit different. I am living in Idaho. Yes, Idaho. If you had told me this two years ago I would have given you the stank eye and called you crazy. But hear me out.

It was just before spring break, we were on lockdown, schools went virtual, and Orlando basically shut down. I had the opportunity to go to Montana during that time and soak in the fresh air and solitude away from the urban sprawl on the I-4 corridor. 

When I got to Montana things there shut down too, including open spaces and the national parks. During this moment people just wanted to get outside, there was in essence spring fever behind all of the fuckery  that was covid. We knew nothing about anything. Schools went virtual for the remainder of the 2020 school year. We truly were the blind leading the blind. Teaching middle school art from the internet was challenging and not in anyway rewarding like the traditional classroom setting. 

Even before the pandemic I was starting to get bored teaching. I never seemed to make enough money to fuel my travel budget. While I sat cooped inside I decided to reinvent myself and who I was. Staying true to myself, but pushing my limits I decided to go out on a whim and start a tour business! I had no idea what I was doing, I didn't know if and when things would open up or get better. They did. And when they did people came. I placed an advertisement on viator for a private tour of Yellowstone. Keep in mind I had only been twice before as a tourist and the last time was in 2005.

I read a ton of books, watched every Yellowstone documentary, and visited every corner of the park in my spare time. Before the summer of 2020 was over I was sold out on tours. The rest is history. Fast forward two years later I am living in Rexburg, Idaho. I chose this spot because its central to my two main pick up locations. Those locations are Jackson, Wyoming, and West Yellowstone, Montana. I am about an hour and 20 minutes from either. 

Today I own the number one private tour company in all of Montana. The growth has been exponential. Its been an interesting ride. As time goes on it gets smoother. I am now offering tours in 16 different states, I have over a dozen people working for me, and I have never been more financially or spiritually sound. My wheels are turning once again. I no longer have to be here physically in The Idaho Tetons region year round.

I am starting to travel again but its domestic. Housing prices are soaring like no other. Average ranch homes in Idaho are pushing up to a million dollars. The same home four years ago was maybe 180k. I cant even. I refuse to pay for any home that cost that much, much less with 10 months of winter, dust, forest fire smoke, and the fact that I am living in Idaho! Prices are bad everywhere. The War with Russia and Ukraine, inflation, Covid, and this countries political civil war has brought the perfect storm. There are houses back east and south that are affordable. 

I am thinking to spend my summers here, May-August in The Yellowstone Region, every autumn in New England, but the kicker is where will I call home? I miss and love Asheville but the price tag is not attractive. Florida has become the stage for America's political civil war between extreme Republicans and Democrats and I really don't want any part of the mess. My eyes are in places that would not normally grab my attention.

I want to find a place that's warm, has some land for a garden and some room for chickens, close enough to a big city that I can get all the creature comforts without driving 5 hours, an airport, and somewhere people are not up in my business. 

So that should just about bring you up to speed. The summer season in Yellowstone has started and when the season is over I hope to have a new destination to look forward to. I am sure I will. So for now I will start posting pictures, and art work again. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.