Dreaming of another place

For a few years now I have dreamed of moving to the Northwest. All the pictures I've seen and everything I've read make it sound like right up my alley. There are mountains, rivers and coastline pursuits. I've heard that all the creative culture is vibrant and there are many eco-friendly people. All this I've gathered second- or third-hand from people who have visited there, but I've never talked at length with anyone who has lived there - until now.

There's a guy that just moved into the dorm last week who lived in Portland until last year when he moved to Texas. I've been able to talk to him and ask all kinds of questions, and he has told me all kinds of cool stuff about living up there.

Hot springs have pools built around them in the middle of the forest, a two-mile hike from the nearest road. All summer long there is a market each Saturday along a stretch of the Willamette River in Portland what has local crops, crafts and music. The Columbia River is so big it has tides where you walk to islands in the middle that have free range cattle on them. Lots more, too.

I have pretty much made it a goal high on my list to get up there. I don't know if it will be for school, after I graduate or after parole, but I do want to live there at least for a while. Texas is a good place to live, but it seems that the Northwest offers more for the lifestyle that I want to live.