River Life

After so many years of living out West, first in Colorado then Nevada, I was accustomed to being land-locked. I loved the rugged landscape, rarely minding the lack of water; it was a small price to pay for the beauty of the mountains. But as much as I loved my surroundings, I was ready for change. And moving to Brisbane has certainly provided that.

Gone are the days of living in a dry, desert climate. Now I’m trying to adjust to the heat and humidity, inescapable in this sub-tropical environment, even as winter approaches. Most days, the air is so heavy with moisture, my skin has no hope of remaining dry. My daily runs are now along the river, which provides a beauty so different than that of the mountains. There was I time when I wondered if I could stand not having the Rockies or Sierras as my backdrop. Now I easily lose myself in the rhythm of the river. I watch the ferries and kayaks glide by. I marvel at the architecture of the various bridges. It’s such a foreign environment, so different from anything I’ve ever known; yet it’s comfortable and is slowly beginning to feel like home.

I try to soak up river life as much as possible. I wander the parklands lining the riverbanks, exploring the outdoor marketplaces that spring up along the way. I use my runs to discover new parts of the city. Today, I took a RiverCat into the city. For me, riding a ferry is such a novelty and feels like a rite-of-passage into becoming a true resident of Brisbane. I know I have a long way to go before anyone will consider me a local, but I don’t mind. Soon enough, all of this will become second nature and I will begin dreaming of my next adventure…