Hello Minnesota!

2020 will bring several changes to our lives, not the least of which is moving to/settling in Minnesota. 

Why? 

It's a good question. After all, the regular readers of this blog know we moved from Chandler, Arizona to Norton, Kansas in 2008 and since August of 2017 we've resided near Manhattan (Kansas, not NYC). 

First, a little history.  In July of 2014 we made our first trip to The North Star State due to Geoana being referred to the Mayo Clinic for treatment.  I documented our travels starting here.  

We then made a follow-up visit in the fall.  I recall beginning our drive home and thinking, once on Interstate 90 headed in the direction of Austin and Albert Lea, that it was a shame we wouldn't be returning as our child appeared stable and likely wouldn't need further visits.  

Was I wrong.  Several times over.  

Turns out additional Mayo visits were in the future.  (Although as of this writing all family members are doing well and we don't anticipate further medical care of that magnitude, for which I am thankful.)  Plus we decided to combine at least one of those visits (summer of 2016) into a more lengthy Minnesota visit, complete with taking in several Twin Cities attractions.  

Meanwhile Geogal and I pondered our next move.  Even a decade ago we knew Norton would not be our final residence given its isolation and size.  However once we traipsed across the state to our current locate we seriously considered purchasing a house in either Manhattan or Wamego and making this our home base for years to come.  We even visited several open houses in the area between March and June of 2019.  But during this time it became obvious that Geogal had very few employment opportunities in her chosen field should we remain here and was unhappy with her then-employer.  Also she was researching different places to eventually retire and concluded Minnesota would be preferred, if not completely optimal.  For example, Kansas taxes even regular food items at the grocery store (most states don't).  Not only does Minne-so-cold not tax food, it also doesn't tax clothing.  The quality of the medical care (even if you exclude the Mayo presence) also is a large factor for Geogal, so we made the decision.  

An aside:  When deciding to leave Norton, moving to Minnesota was actually our first choice.  But barriers with Geogal transferring her professional license and the issues of going to another state with our child still in public school led us to consider Manhattan instead.  Thus, moving to Minnesota wasn't a rush decision.  

But that was then and this is now.  The timing appears better and Geogal has her Minnesota license in place and began employment "up north."  

I will follow shortly.  

I'm also looking forward to settling in a place and culture so different than any I've ever been around before.  In future entries I will give my impressions and experiences.  

But for now I will need to brush up on my outdoor skills.  

Can't wait!!

(image taken from Dreamstime.com)