Change

Yesterday morning I enjoyed a cool morning run in Rock Creek Park where I witnessed for the first time this September a flock of starlings migrating south in anticipation of winter.  Nothing says fall has arrived more to me than the beautiful sight and deafening sounds of thousands of black birds flying over head and trampling through the trees and forest floor.  I hope to catch more sightings in the next few weeks before the starlings have all but traveled through.  I have always enjoyed their arrival and remember well the Septembers and Octobers of my youth watching them pass through while playing, working or hunting in the woods behind our family's home.  Yes, fall is definitely here.  Fall means change.  The biggest change for me and Gaby this fall is that we’re moving south across the Potomac River to Virginia, my original home state, and to the town of Charlottesville, located a 2.5 hour south westerly drive from downtown Washington D.C.

Moving to Charlottesville has been on our radar for some time and now that the time is near the excitement is growing.  There is still much work to do before we send our change-of-address notification to the Post Office but I have always found satisfaction in work, especially when the fruits of labor is immediately tangible.  Knowing that my window will eventually look out over a lush green mountain with- pardon the pun- an orchard on top of it, versus a noisy street, gives me all the motivation I need.

Speaking of Charlottesville, this weekend is UROC and Gaby and I are very excited to attend as volunteers.  A 5.5 hour run with Gill in the Shenandoah just west of town on Saturday afforded me plenty of listening opportunity to hear about all of the hard work he and Francesca have put into the race.  UROC definitely seems like something shiny and new.  It is my feeling that the runners, volunteers and spectators, both in person and online, will witness something special.  I’m pumped up to be there.  And I’m pumped up that this race is happening in my future back yard.