Ten Years Later: How a Small Colorado Town Changed My Thinking

As I write this, I am back in my favorite little ski town, Telluride, Colorado. If you have followed me for a while, I have talked about this town in many posts, from its amazing foods and drinks to skiing and hiking, and even pondering whether I should move to Colorado. I decided to return this time because I am switching roles at my current job and wanted to take one last holiday. Honestly, I didn't want to be in D.C. for the inauguration; if you know, you know.

As I landed, Facebook reminded me that precisely 10 years ago, I came to a town that I’d never heard of: Montrose.  When my friend picked me up, I was in awe, shocked to see the Rocky Mountains.

As we drove from Montrose to Telluride, the drive kept getting more and more dramatic. If you've ever driven this route before, you know what I mean, seeing those jagged San Juan mountains from a distance, that magnetic pull that pours from the mountains.

I couldn't stop saying, "Jess, look! Jess, look!" I was taken aback. And after 10 years, I still react to them the same way. This time, I took the Telluride Express, a shuttle that picks you up from the airport and drops you off at your Telluride or Mountain Village location, since my friend couldn't pick me up. It was me, the driver, and one other passenger, and all I wanted to do was scream, "Guys, look! Look!"

Instead, I pulled back my excitement and kept saying this part of Colorado is magical.  I have witnessed and experienced a good amount of magic. But these mountains, this town… hands down, the number one word I hear from the locals and tourists is that this place is magical.

Telluride, Colorado, is my second-most visited place, right after London. I rarely return to the same location as often as I have with these two, but each time, I need a break from D.C.

And I have many more trips to Colorado planned for the next four years) or need to sort out my life. This charming town with its majestic mountains always provides exactly what I need. Not only that, but it also transforms my lifestyle.

I have always been drawn to the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C.—its power, influence, and the opportunity it gives us to make a difference.

However, as I get older, travel the world, and experience different lifestyles, I realize I simply cannot thrive in that environment. It’s amusing to think that when I was a child living in a small town, I wanted no more than to escape and become a city girl. Yet, I now find myself longing to leave the city and embrace a simpler life as a Colorado girl.

Now, don't get me wrong. I will not be moving to Telluride. It's too magical for me to live in it, and I would rather return to this place that feels like home when I need that little hug from the mountains and trees.

Thanks to a random New Year's Eve party 12 years ago, I met my friend, who now lives in that most magical town.

Travel is a gift that can transform your life in unexpected ways. It has the power to change your career, your relationships, your lifestyle, and even your perspective on the world. I never imagined I would fall in love with a state, a slower pace of life, or even the act of writing this post. But here I am, a testament to the transformative power of travel.

My friends, let me know if you have found your magical town, city, state, or country. Tell me how travel changed you. As solo travelers, we always have a story to tell.