Ten Years Here

Five stars. (★★★★★)

Ten years ago I left Minneapolis for an uncertain future in the Bay Area. I was ready for my next phase, and had always planned to return to California. I loaded up the Audi, enjoyed a final Edina Grill breakfast with Susan, and hit the road with Gracie as my co-pilot. I’ve always loved new beginnings and cross-country drives.

We made great progress on the first day, until somewhere in Wyoming we made high-speed contact with a large deer. It was dark and there was no way I could have seen it coming. The damage was… Extensive.

It took hours for a tow truck to arrive and haul the car, me and Gracie to Rapid City, SD. We would have to wait several days for a repair estimate and appraisal, so we rented a car and toured around the Black Hills.

Once we were ready to leave Rapid City, I shipped my belongings to my new apartment in Mountain View and we flew out. Six weeks later we flew back to Rapid City to pick up the car and complete the cross-country drive. Susan met us in the Minneapolis airport during our late-night layover.

Despite the inauspicious start, the move was a good one. I continued with my old employer initially, then took a leap with a startup for a couple of years, which led me to Google. Living here allowed me to spend more time with Dad, Raquel and Tamara. After a few moves around Mountain View, I found my happy place in Menlo Park, close to the hills where I run every morning. When I need a getaway, I drive to Yosemite or Tahoe – or the redwoods close to home.

I said goodbye to my beloved Gracie five years ago, and I miss her all the time. The 2012 Audi is still going strong. I am grateful.

#5Stars