Return For Re-Education

It has been decided that I will be leaving Jackson, Wyoming to return to Michigan, the land of my youth. Now that my days in Jackson are numbered, I have been reflecting on how much I actually enjoyed living here for the past 3-4 years.

I cannot debate the fact that it is visually, one of the most beautiful places that you could live in the United States. Majestic mountains, bountiful wildlife, rivers, canyons, seemingly endless rugged country. It is a cool place. There is plenty of stuff to do outside and lots of people willing to do it. I have discovered by living here, that I am not a natural outdoorsman. I do enjoy being outside, but I dislike the social pressure in this town to get out every chance I get and do something sweet, like climb a mountain, or ride my bike for endless miles. I am content most days to sit around and drink beer. Not to say that I haven't done a bunch of outdoor activities since moving here, but I really don't like to feel like I need to keep pace with everyone else my age. I really don't care. I guess I don't have the natural outdoors inclination to "go out and get after it."

What really makes you love a certain place? I have heard people from all over the country say that they love where they are from. "I live in Dallas, Texas and I love it there!" Really? What is so sweet about Dallas? Or any place for that matter? You inevitably end up spending a majority of your time at home or at work. So if you have a sweet house, I could see loving it, but you could have a nice house anywhere. Same with a job that you enjoy. I guess all that stuff has to line up for you in a certain place for you to actually "love" it.

I have enjoyed my time in Jackson, no doubt, but it is a rich man's paradise, and I am very poor. To change my fortune I am to return to Michigan for re-education and then I'm not sure what. I really never disliked Michigan. I just needed to leave for a while to try some other stuff and see some things. The national media makes Michigan sound like an economic cesspool, and their might be people in Michigan who would agree, but I don't remember it being that bad. I have to say I am looking forward to my return even if it is only temporary.