Dichroic Reflections

where to?

So now we have three computers and two dining room tables, shortly to be joined by
two rocking chairs. In some ways I regret this whole moving-from-Arizona-in-the-
next-year idea. Those regrets are accentuated by the new roof we got last fall and
the pool redo currently in progress, and by the fact that Rudder likes it here. On
the other hand, I have told the powers that be at work what I want to do, so
changing my mind would be a wee bit embarassing, and I know that once summer hits
I'll have a lot more motivation to escape. Given the sheer amount of stuff we
have, it's clear we had better either get one or the other of our employers to pay
for the move, and that we need to move somewhere where we can afford a fairly
spacious house. I think the whole thing will be a lot easier to grasp once we've
figured out where we want to end up. Mostly, what I've got is a case of itchy feet
and an overload of hot weather.

Desired
parameters:

• Four seasons (preferably at least three of which are
  pleasant in one way or another)
• Reasonable cost of
  living
• Plenty of engineering/management jobs (preferably including
  a branch of my current company - it's so big that may be easier than I
  think)
• A nearby lake or river to row on (preferably with an
  existing rowing club that has a boathouse where we can store our
  boats)

That doesn't sound like a lot to ask for, does it?
There must be hundreds of places in the country that satisfy those few criteria
(or even out of it, in which case we add another: easy to get work visas).
Suggestions are welcome.

Meanwhile, I need to focus on enjoying what
I have. February is the best time of year here: dry and sunny, lows around 45 and
highs around 75. Only problem is all the extra traffic from all the other people
who come here to enjoy it. We need to spend more time outdoors while we can, so
next weekend we might do a long hike we haven't done in 3 years or so, the
Flatiron. Actually. it's half a hike, half a scramble. It's not that long -- about
5 miles round trip -- but there's a lot of elevation gain nad the trail only goes
about halfway. After that you're scrambling. href="http://www.cowley.addr.com/arizona/flatiron1.jpg">This picture shows the
terrain and also just why it's called the "Flatiron". Incidentally, I don't know
who owns the website I got the above photo from, but if you href="http://www.cowley.addr.com/arizona/goldencorridor.html">go to it you can
see a couple of photos of the Flatiron hike as well as a few others around here.