Born and raised in MT (about 90 miles northwest of Yellowstone NP), and grew up on the family farm and ranch there. We lived 15 miles outside of a town of 1200 people, had 2 miles of river front, and 3000 acres to run around on. At 17 I joined the Marines because I wanted adventure and to see all the exotic places that my dad and brothers saw when they were in the military. What I saw was MCRD San Diego, Camp LeJeune, NC, Okinawa, and 29 Palms, CA. Got out of the Marines in 1996 after my 4, and moved back to MT. Just in time for the job market to take a down turn.
I spent 4 years of doing alot of different jobs in both western and eastern MT, northern MN, and worked on a custom harvesting crew in SD. SD was ok, but we traveled from the Red River valley of TX/OK to far northern MT, so I got to see alot of this great country of ours! In early 2000, I joined the Navy and spent 9 years between WA and CA. With some side trips to Pensacola, Biloxi, and Japan.
When the military began a round of cutbacks a few years ago, I got out and moved to AZ for school. Because what I have chosen for my profession, the choice fell between Flagstaff and Phoenix when it came to getting a degree. I've traveled through AZ in the past and loved the contrast that this state has in its natural beauty from north to south; and also all the history here. The ultimate decision came down to which city had a community college that offered an Associates degree that would feed into my Bachelors. That decision made Phoenix my choice. Growing up it was a 30 minute drive to town. Now I live 20 minutes from work and school, a 5 minute walk from the cigar shop, and with in an hour's drive I can be at some of the best hiking spots in the Sonoran Desert! And being at the southern most edge of Phoenix, it doesn't feel like I'm living in the city.
Now that I'm down to the last few months of school, it is job searching time and even though I'd love to stay in AZ, anywhere east of CA/OR/WA and West of the Mississippi River (with a few execptions) is fine for me. I've learned that one can't compare one part of this country to other parts of it if it is going to be used to call something "ugly", "beautiful," or any other descriptor. Every place has its own uniqueness that makes it what it is. So I'm fairly content with anyplace I live.
What makes living here enjoyable is:
The Office:
The Classsroom:
And time off of course: