So I've recently decided at some point, I'll be making a return to the Northwest. I came out east to reconnect with my Midwestern roots so I could find myself again after I left my ex wife, and I've accomplished that. I relived some childhood memories, remembered what I loved about the east, and also remembered why I loved Oregon so much. I miss the mountains, the forests, plenty of lakes and streams for fishing, plenty of open land for target shooting, light traffic, and a good ideological balance. Basically, the perfect home for a Libertarian atheist like me. XD

When? Probably late Fall or early Spring, giving me enough time to save up some money and pay off credit cards, but if I can't do that before the snow closes portions of I80, it'll have to wait until spring. I've had several friends tell me I should move to Washington, and that's looking like a pretty good idea. Oregon didn't have sales tax, but Washington has lower income and property taxes. Since Oregon just passed a law restricting private sales/transfers of firearms to require an FFL dealer be involved, they're both on equal grounds in terms of laws that affect me.

I've been looking at Chehalis as a possible location, between Portland and Seattle. Rural for my outdoor hobbies, but within a reasonable drive to friends and events, with employment opportunities in town. I'm open to other suggestions as well. I gave Central Oregon some thought, but that's just too far away from where I could have an active social life. Part of why I came to the Mid-Atlantic was to be close to things like the DE Furbowl and the like, but my work schedule kind of kills most furmeets other than the local NoVA Furs meets, where I can at least show up late after I'm off work.

I have made some good friends here that I'll miss whenever I head back, and I'll make sure to spend some time with them until I make the actual moving plans. For now, I'm just living from week to week.