Small Town to the Nation's Capital

This past weekend I made the short drive up to D.C. for work. It was a busy and productive weekend on the job, but I still had time to get out for a couple of jogs in the city and even a quick trip to the shopping mall in Arlington. I was amazed by the constant hustle and bustle of the people all around me. It was almost like everyone was running to the kitchen to get the first hot chocolate chip cookie from the oven- except, there were kitchens on every corner and it seemed that they didn't care whether they got the first cookie or the last... they just kept coming. I sat one evening on the rooftop of one of the taller buildings near Union Station, as the sun set over a beautiful sky glistening behind the National Cathedral, I somehow longed to be in the city. The rush of people, the constant calendar of things to do, places to go, people to meet- it was exhilarating. I was struck by the moment and had to really ask myself- is this what you want everyday or does it just seem exciting?

As I made my way back to the tiny town of Lexington, to which I call home, I was overwhlemed with the scenery. We took an afternoon drive up into the mountains and spent the afternoon on the river, jumping from rock to rock to find a flat rock to bathe in the sun. It was quiet and refreshing. We found an old swing bridge- one out of a storybook that you don't think really exisits....

We stopped to take the fun walk across, with the old boards creaking under our feet, it was scary and exciting all at the same time.... but it made me appreciate where we live. Where in the city would a bridge like this one last as long as it has?? It wouldn't.

Life is about compromises... you learn that while you can't have it all, you can have some pretty great stuff and that's just want small town living is. Quiet drives in the country, beautiful rivers and streams and some quality time with the one you love.