As I was driving home last night along a winding lakeside road, I looked up and took in a beautiful, dark, wide open sky filled with bright stars. This is just one of the benefits I get to experience by living “out of town.”

Before I moved back to the Twin Cities to work at Fast Horse, I was planted in Nisswa, Minn., and working for a grand resort on Gull Lake. I mean we’re talking happy folks, beautiful scenery, all of the morning and evening swims you can imagine, golf, and s’mores. Lots of s’mores. That was everyday life.

My little home in Nisswa

It’s tough to make the change back to urban life after you’ve been lucky enough to spend your days relishing God’s Country for even a little while. I know I wanted to make the change; I just had to figure out the best way to do it.

Sunset on Gull Lake

Sunset on Gull Lake

I spent some time soul-searching, trying to figure out how I could maintain the things I cherished. This part was not easy. But, I’ll tell you, it was so, so worth it. Now, while I have a 30-minute commute each way to work, I couldn’t be happier for that time spent on the winding roads to get into the city, or both pieces of life I get to be a part of each day. We found a home west of Minneapolis, in a little town where the Andrews Sisters grew up. I’m surrounded by trails, lakes, trees and farms. And it’s even got the beautiful views!

Sunset at Lake Langdon

A good friend of mine once told me, “You only get so many sunsets in your life. Try to be there for all of them.” That kind of thing sticks with you, and you feel a little bit lucky each evening you get to watch one.

My Drive into the City

Here’s to everyone who has set out to find their own little slice of heaven.