Although the move to Lancaster was/is good for me, I am leaning more, and more towards the idea of moving further South.

The best possible place for me to be would be Virginia Beach. I’ve always been drawn to the water for some reason. If I had to choose an alternate location, it would have to be Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta. Beautiful area about 40 miles South of Roanoke, in the absolutely gorgeous Shenendoah Valley region.

I have yet to share my “special place” with Greg. I’m hoping as time, and money allow, I may one day be able to allow him to see the transformation which occurs each time I am there.

I become an entirely different person. I’m not stressed out, life is taken at a slower pace, and actually enjoyed.

The last time I was there was in 1997. Chad and I started out in Boones Mill, and took the scenic route to the Beach. Breathtaking drive.

Someday…

As for my hometown of Houtzdale, there is erally nothing I want to go back for, other than to see friends. I went back over the Summer (took a day trip to take Dawn home), and nothing has changed. Hopefully, the economy, and job situation will improve there with the coming ehtanol plant slated to go into Clearfield County. Mostly, if work is to be had (for a decent wage) one has to travel to Altoona, or State College. That commute bites… especially in the Winter.

There is a group in Yahoo which depicts the once-thriving downtown area of Houtzdale. However, more than a decade’s worth of block fires have all but wiped out the area. Lots of empty lots now. They even offer tax incentives to those willing to start a business in the downtown area. However, with the fire risk, no one is willing to take that chance. Sad really. Dollar General has done really well there though.

As for my current location, if the job situation improves, and remains consistent… I’d be happy to stay here. I’ve thrived here. City life agrees with me. Granted, I’d like to have a little more room for my cars… but you do what you must.

Onward, and Upward.

I’ve lived in numerous parts of the country (New York, Virginia (twice), Massachusetts,
Florida and Colorado) and really only refer to Virginia as “home” as that is where I’ve
lived the most (New York being a distance 2nd). New York is where my “young” memories
reside - a time when I was a child. I fondly remember those times (well, most of them
anyways - lol!). Virginia is where my more formutive (teenage) years “reside” as well
as the last 20 years of my life.

Florida and Colorado where just “stopping places” where I happen to live for a period of
time in my life. Back to the topic at hand, I visited Florida a few years ago for the
first time since I left there 25 years ago (almost to the month) and while it was never
really “home” I was indeed shocked at the amount of change that had occured in my
“absence”. Even if I were to move back there it would never be the same as when I
was first there - too much change. Same when I went to NY two years ago. Went through
my old stomping grounds and while there was not as much change it just was not the same.
In both cases, I felt like an outsider and while I did enjoy my visits it felt good
to be back home in Virginia afterwards.

Perhaps “Home is where the Heart is.” And I guess my “heart” is permanently planted in
Virginia. I often tell my wife I’d like to retire to Florida, but the truth is we’ll
probably retire here in “Ole Virginia” where my heart has found its home. We have family,
good friends, and plenty of memories right here - what more could we want?