Growing up in the Midwest, I lead a relatively sheltered existence. Indiana was a conservative state, home to farming, industry, and old-fashioned ideas. Life was simple, as were opinions. Hoosiers, as Indiana natives are called, had very specific ideas of right and wrong, good and bad. These views were often narrow-minded, and political correctness was largely ignored. In addition, many of our communities lacked diversity, creativity, and culture.

After 35 years and the end of my eight-year marriage, it was time for a change. I was restless. Indiana wasn’t a bad place, but it no longer suited me. I wanted to leave the area, but had no idea where I would go or how I would get there. I just knew I had to get away.

At the time, I worked as a pension consultant for an insurance company in Lafayette. One of my agents casually mentioned that he was relocating from Oregon to Washington and asked if I would consider working for him. Offers like this were common in my business so I gave it little thought until he mentioned it again, this time offering to match my salary and pay my relocation costs. How could I say no?

Within a matter of weeks, the deal was signed and my daughter and I packed our things, preparing for the cross country trek to Washington, sight unseen. While it was sad to say good-bye to family and friends, leaving the flat terrain of the Midwest behind was not. It was rejuvenating to shed our old lives, looking forward to the adventure that awaited us. Looking back, perhaps I should have been terrified. Instead, I was energized by such a bold move.

As my daughter and I headed west, the corn fields melded into rolling prairies, and the dusty plains gave way to majestic mountains... the likes of which had never been seen in Indiana. Traveling from state to state in our Ryder rental, my daughter and I were amazed at the beauty of the West. The farther we drove, the more beautiful it became.

Dust covered and diesel splattered, we pulled into Bellingham six days later, in June 2003. To my wonder and amazement, this quaint town was as beautiful as the people were welcoming. Our home, situated on the shores of Lake Whatcom, was the site of a 25-acre nature preserve filled with flora and fauna not common in Indiana.

In the span of a few hours, we were privileged to see eagles, otter, geese, and deer from our living room window. The deer were particularly amazing to us, as they hid from view in Indiana. Here a doe and her fawn graze, prance, and play on our lawn, occasionally napping in the shade of the towering evergreens. Clearly comfortable in their element, the deer are as much a part of the landscape as the flowers and trees. This unbelievable setting is a considerable improvement over the retention pond we viewed from our apartment back home.

Spending our first summer in such beautiful surroundings was a real treat for us. Gone were the corn tassels and mosquitoes. Instead, we enjoyed an endless bounty of fresh flowers and fruits, friendly animals, and breathtaking waterfalls, lakes and ocean bays.

After two years here, Washington has become more to us than just its beauty. It is also a place filled with open-minded, liberal people who care about others. While protecting their environment and values, they welcome others without judgment or stereotype. They embrace all who choose to live here.

As my daughter and I begin our third summer here, we are reminded not of what we left behind but rather how fortunate we are to have found such a welcoming place to call home. It’s no wonder they call this God’s Country.