We live just east of the town of Mossyrock, WA. The business (Herbs of Grace) is slowly growing. The kids, on the other hand, are growing too fast. Maleah is 10, Scarlet 9 and Isabel 6.
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We really enjoy living out in the country. It’s quite different from the urban life. We’re more concerned about occasional loose live stock, rather than stray cat or dog. We have 4 neighbors. We drive old cars. The nearest Starbucks is 40 minutes away. And I’ve learned to drive a tractor, and work on one, too.
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Here’s a 4 year old satellite image:
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I work at Morton Public Schools as the Technology Director. The district is in decline at 285 k12 students. We lost one teacher last year and will loose another this coming year. Although, they were able to offer me three days per week for this coming year, rather than two. I don’t make anywhere near the $$ that I made at districts in urban areas, but we’re making it and the lack of pay doesn’t bother me enough to move to a bigger city.
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The past 5 years has really been different for me. Life in the foot hills of the Cascades is slower, but each day is more important. Perhaps it’s being a father, perhaps it’s not living in a city. I’m not sure which. The kids do take a lot of energy, and at the same time, they provide a lot of energy. Maybe I’m just getting older. Had my 50th last September. Vanessa threw me a surprise party.
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The town of Morton (pop 1096) is about 15 minutes east. It is a small community, larger than Mossyrock, (pop. 300). Morton has depended upon the timber industry forever. There are still a few mills in the area, but mostly, logs are shipped in, processed and shipped back out. To publicly mention that perhaps Morton should look at opportunities other than lumber is to commit social suicide.
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There are a few progressive folks in town and they are pushing back. A buddy of mine owns a property in downtown Morton. He has built an upscale photo studio (Adam Angel Photography) and his wife built a nice yoga studio (2nd Street Yoga). Two of the nicest properties in town. They have a third unit that he and I are remodeling to be his photo gallery. A local group, FMAC, also remodeled the old Roxy theater and it is now a play house/movie theater, Clevenger Art Gallery; very nice. But mostly, the businesses on main street are lonely and sad looking. The best thing that could happen to Morton would be for the mills to close and all the remaining logging industry to leave town. Then Morton could begin its rebirth.
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And of course, White Pass Ski area is only an hour away.
Later,
Brad