After searching a number of communities we decided on Mount Shasta, California. There were several things we wanted in our new residence. The quality of schools was important since our daughter was close to school age, and we also wanted a place where there was good cultural diversity. Of course I wanted a location where inspiration for my art would be abundant. Mount Shasta offered all this and much more.

After living in Mount Shasta for only three months, we realized that there was little chance we would move back to the Bay Area. We had returned from a vacation and like many vacations it had turned out to be more work than relaxation. Once home, we looked at each other, looked at the surrounding beauty of our new town and asked, "why did we go anywhere? It's awesome here!"

It didn't take long for Mount Shasta to truly become our home. Marian now teaches Math and Science at the local junior high school, our daughters are involved in sports and music, and I have become involved in local politics. Over the years I have been elected to serve as a director on a number of regional nonprofit organizations and have twice run for local office.

There is so much to offer in and around Mount Shasta that we rarely leave the region. If we want to see theater, Ashland Oregon and it's world famous Shakespearean Theater is nearby. If outdoor recreation is the plan, then ten minutes in any direction gives all the variety one can imagine. Last May for example, I went skiing in the morning and then went swimming in a beautiful mountain lake that afternoon.

It's common when we get together with our friends that someone will look around, take a deep breath, and solemnly say, "...and we live here."