I left Seattle (again) on a gloriously sunny Monday — statistically the wettest day of the year, but you’d never know it. Outside my window, a 12-foot-tall wooden dragon raised a red lightning bolt to a bold blue sky. Beyond, the jagged silhouettes of the Cascades echoed the zigzag lightning in its fist.
Over the past week or so, I made the rounds of Seattle nabes, said my goodbyes, gathered five remaining boxes and shipped them for long-term storage.
It was August 1992 when I drove an ’86 Nissan Sentra from Phoenix to Seattle, everything I owned crammed between its two tinny doors. We limped our way north; in order to start the car each morning, I had to raise the hood and generate a spark with a screwdriver.
I didn’t know then that I’d spend the next 25 years in Washington state, living, working and meeting all kinds of intriguing, generous people.
Now it’s time to move on. Riding my bicycle across the continent these past couple summers has stoked my wanderlust in new and unpredictable ways.
Where next? This week, I’m in Phoenix with family for Thanksgiving. Then, I’ll spend December back in Burlington, Vermont (where I’ve lived for most of the last year) and then it’s on to….
Morocco!
I’m lucky to have a remote, part-time job that I can do from anywhere there’s a strong internet connection. I was hankering for a place in the sun this winter, and as soon as I uttered the word “Morocco,” the doors started flying open.
Beginning December 31, I’ll rent a riad (traditional house) in Marrakech from a friend of a friend. I’m eager to connect with folks there, and am looking into co-working. Housemates are a possibility, as is an Airbnb operation.
However those details shake out, I know this for sure: Pegasus, my green bike, is coming with me! We’ll go exploring on our three-day weekends.
I’m old enough to know better than to say I’ll “never” come back to Seattle. But I have no plans to return as a resident. It was a heartbreakingly beautiful day to depart, but I carry with me a deep gratitude for all the people I’ve known in Washington, and a great hope to keep learning and growing–this time in Africa!
My (publicly stated, ahem) intention is to write regular blog posts, and this time, I have people holding me accountable! More to come~
So delighted I was able to see you so vibrant and alive when you blew through the PNW this time. Love you to the moon and back, Kelly. I’ve watched you blossom and grow over 30 years and couldn’t feel more honored to call you my friend and ally. Keep in touch….until next time…
Cile, it was a treat to see you, too. Thanks for your kind words. I’m excited for your writing project and inspired by your commitment. Go, sistah Cile, go!