Yup, it was eleven years ago today that I started work for the company that moved us 3,000 miles to the eastern desert of Washington State. Three days earlier I rolled my filthy Ford into town, loaded with my kayak, bike, computer, clothes, and just enough household items to get by.
It was actually a great road trip. I was excited, of course, to be employed again in an attempt to undue what the Great Recession had wrought. Darryl would follow about 5 months later, in time for Christmas. I got to see a great deal of this country and it was truly awe inspiring.
Fast forward eleven years and it boggles my mind to consider all that has happened. Our girls moved here, we have a beautiful grandson, a lovely, if not too big, house, and feel comfortable and content with life. Comfortable, yes, but starting to feel the draw of the Northeast, family, and life-long friends. More on this at another time.
My work life has been an interesting adventure, also. I worked for Energy Northwest (EN) for 5 1/2 years and at 63 went to work for a Hanford contractor, Mission Support Alliance. Finally in July 2017 I officially retired to, only, go back to consulting for them part-time a few months later and to this day. Of course, there are a lot of personal reasons for doing this, but what occurred to me today is just how much Darryl and I have benefited from this wonderful company. I am particularly thankful for all of the wonderful folks I have worked with across the entire organization, but particularly the Environmental & Regulatory Programs staff. Most of all, I am thankful for them throwing me a life line when we needed one and then helping me “keep my hand in” when they think I can help.
I suppose I will fully retire someday, but not today.
Landing In The PNW 
I can so relate to this post. My partner and I moved to Eastern Washington 13 years ago from the East coast, and we just made the trip back to FL & NC last year for the first time since we moved. It was so good to see family and old friends again. And we drove the trip there and back, 7500 miles. Possibly going to do it all again next year.