Between traveling this summer and not having a bicycle in working condition, it had been three months since I had been on my bike, but I'm back in the saddle!

happy to be heading out for a ride... taken before I turned back after getting a flat at mile 3

Over the years, bike parts have worn out, but I somehow managed to get enough gears working to comfortably ride on all but the steepest mountains here. ("All I want for Christmas is a bike tune up...")

After a few weeks of what seemed like weather better suited for the Pacific northwest, it has been magnificently sunny and mild outdoors during the day. We've lost all our flowers up at altitude, thanks to below-freezing temperatures at night, but the aspen trees have turned their leaves ...or lost their chlorophyll... and have changed the landscape daily.

                          
Down at lower altitudes in the city, I have been enjoying the last of the summer flowers and much warmer temperatures. I'm not ready for wearing all those layers just yet!

Even though I have been quite familiar with this area for a long time, living here now is completely different. The easy parts have been knowing which trails I enjoy, where to buy groceries and the like, while the more interesting bits have included living in such a small town-- everyone knows you even if you haven't met them yet. I met a couple at the museum today, visiting from New York City, who mentioned how friendly they found people here, and that I find to be very true.

I have made a few friends here so far, but just in the past week I have been delighted to hear from people that I knew in previous areas of my life-- my Tibetan teacher, whose subtle wisdom always has given me pause for thought, and a former co-worker in Massachusetts who I always looked forward to talking with while at that job. And it's those heartening conversations that I feel are most important to us. Thinking back over the path I have taken so far, and all the moves to new cities or states I have made, I look forward to meeting many more wonderful individuals here as well.