Today I wanted to go over some more thoughts I’ve been having regarding my move to Colorado.
First off my moving dates, yes I have dates(!), have been set back due to the Spanish Mustang Registry  Annual Meeting in Oregon which falls on the week I had planned my move to Colorado. It appears I will be attending the SMR meeting so my current moving dates are now between June 26th and June 30th.  I want to be in Silverton and ready to work come the 4th of July which should serve to bring in a sizable chunk of money.

Okay so now for some comparisons.  These are very basic now, I will be doing  much more detailed comps after my move.

1) LOCATION – I have been on a visual or virtual journey for a couple years now looking into various area in South West Colorado.  I’ve looked into areas in New Mexico and North Eastern Arizona all in an attempt to get closer to my daughter who is in Silverton Colorado.  Falling onto the Western Slope…  what is the Western Slope and what does it encompass?  Well pretty much everything west of the Rockies, however I have found some areas east of the Rockies among the list of Western Slope locations.  Here are the places I’ve been visiting and revisiting.

• Mancos - mild winters, ranch land, between east side mountains and west side high desert, close to Durango 1 1/2 hours from Heather.
• Cortez - older western/country community, close to Native American culture, high desert, mild winters, 2 hours from Heather, close to Telluride.
• Bayfield – farming community, mountain meadows, close to Durango, less mild winter, 2 hours from Heather, in the Rockies
• Pagosa Springs - progressive alternative community, 2 hours from Durango, 3 hours from Heather, fairly strong winters, in the Rockies.
• Montrose - farm and ranch land, friendly laid back community, strong winters, 2 1/2 hours from Heather, east of Rockies
• Fruita – Northwest of Grand Junction, high desert and painted rock, larger population, average winters, 3 hours from Heather.

Of all the places listed I believe I would like the landscape around Fruita best and it is probably the most affordable area to settle in. However, I am not impressed with the winters there from what I have read.  But I do really like the elevation and how close it is located to Moab, Utah and to possible work in Grand Junction.  As of right now I am leaning toward Fruita and still Mancos/Cortez.  I am finding it hard to leave the desert behind.  Fruita is a bit further away from Heather than I like but close enough for frequent visits.  So Fruita is definitely in the running. Yet I am still pulled strongly to Mancos and Cortez. I have spent time in both places bought hay in both places and just feel at home there.  Looking at rental prices I was very encouraged about being able to settle down there too with little difficulty. While looking at the rooming rent prices if I wanted to do in Cortez or Mancos what I am doing now to get established I could easily be looking at $350.00 – $650.00 per month (small horse property) which is very very doable. That and the mild weather may be my deciding factors. I have to keep in mind though that I will have family (Heather’s inlaw’s relatives)  living in Montrose who may be able to hook me up in that community and I do love the warmth of the people who live there.  The town is a nice size and the land is definatelyhorse country.

2) WORK – I have been hanging out on the City-Data.com  Colorado Forums and met up with some very nice folks who have lent their experiences to my research.  They have given me some personal insight to the work situation I may face as a massage therapist and or horse trainer. I’m feeling pretty confident that my work will flourish in these areas even though the Durango area is pretty saturated with massage therapists.  Good ones always get jobs, and I know I am good. I bring a quality service to you and at a discounted rate.  Those folks who consider massage as part of their health care program will keep it on their priority list and my massage and massage business is tailored to those individuals.

3) HORSES – Well I have been told there are not many horse trainers in the Mancos, Cortez, Durango area, so I may look into picking up a few hand picked training jobs if I move to that area.  I have no idea what the horse situation would be in Fruita, I am worried that the over development there will curtail my horse life similar to here in Arizona.  Smaller acreages, more  community limitations.  I’ll have to put some pretty good research efforts into that consideration before making any moves to that area.  I see my horses out on pasture.  Right now I see Pai and Pro running together with an appropriate  shelter. I hope that Theory will be in her new situation soon and will have a better life than I could give her during this move and her youthful experiences, which have not been ideal for a foal. 

As I write these updates, things become more clear and directed.  It has been a very useful tool in settling my mind giving me direction.

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