I may be new to Lake County, but not entirely. My parents, Rudy and Nancy, lived in Arlee when I, their first-born child of three, was born in Missoula. We bounced around shortly thereafter, with my brother Luke being born 15 months later in Dover, N.H., my mom’s hometown. When I was 6, we moved to Spokane where the youngest of the three boys, Isaac, was born in 1995, and settled down. For the last 20 years, that’s where I’ve been.

Growing up, I did a lot of travelling. New Hampshire, Florida, the Bahamas… I was all over the map. I’d even stroll through Montana once or twice a year when our family would take road trips to my dad’s hometown of Glen Ullin, N.D.

Truth be told, however, I never imagined I’d spend more than nine hours in Big Sky Country.

Out of high school, I decided to attend Washington State University to pursue broadcast journalism. I loved the school, but there was no medicine for my constant homesickness. Thanks to the suggestion and prodding of my friends Shane and Aaron, and the understanding of my parents, I transferred to (taking a deep breath) Eastern Washington University.

It was there that I met current sports editor Brandon Hansen. We became friends during my last year at EWU, sharing a common passion for sports that remains virtually unrivaled among some of my other close peers.

Because of that passion, and my connection to Brandon, I was able to get a job with an upstart sports publication, HomeTeam Sports.

It was the perfect opportunity: a chance to write about what I loved while staying close to home.

The next five months were a dream come true. Day in and day out, going to high school, college and semi-pro sporting events, covering the area’s best athletes.

Unfortunately, the publication ceased printing and I was back to square one.

I spent the next two-and-a-half years slinging wings and serving brews at a local restaurant. It was fun and I met some amazing people, but knew I needed to get back in the game.

Brandon had moved to Polson in June of 2010 and had unsuccessfully tried a couple times to bring me to Lake County. It wasn’t his fault: I had grown up in a busy big-city environment and loved it. If I wasn’t living in Spokane, I’d have been living in Portland, my favorite city to visit, a long time ago. There was always something to do and I knew everyone. Home was 10 minutes away, 15 with traffic.

Then one night, everything changed. I had yet another long night at the restaurant and was ready for something different. I had burned out as a server months prior and wanted out. I didn’t care where to.

Lying in bed trying to sleep, I got a text from Brandon. Lake County Leader was looking for a reporter. I had passed at the opportunity before, but I wasn’t about to do it again. I told him I wanted in.

Over the next few weeks, I was in contact with editor Ali Bronsdon about the position. I had several worries, ranging from having never really written a lot outside of the sports world to moving to a town with just 4,000 people. Plus, three-and-a-half hours from Spokane to Polson is a bit worse than one-and-a-half from Spokane to Pullman.

Nevertheless, the Leader offered me the position and I was on board, not knowing what to expect at all.

Well, I really have only one regret: that I didn’t jump at this chance sooner. Polson, as well as the rest of Lake County and beyond, is incredible. The landscape, of course, is first class. To view picturesque Flathead Lake, I simply open the blinds in my apartment. Every drive, whether to Pablo or to Arlee, comes complete with snow-capped mountains seemingly close enough to touch. It’s beautiful.

But the people have been what has really made this move so easy. On my first night, Brandon took me to some of the local establishments as part of a mini-tour of the city. I’m hoping this comes out as clearly as it sounds in my mind (after all, that’s my job), but when I was welcomed to Polson by complete strangers, it was as if I was being welcomed by the city, not just individuals. I was a part of it, not just somebody living there. It’s a feeling that, as much as I love Spokane, you don’t get there.

Every day since has been the same. During several interviews, the topic of conversation has shifted to me being new to the Leader. I tell them the same story and they give me the same reaction that everyone else has: “Well, welcome to Polson, how do you like it?” Even when I mention that my road to Polson went through Cheney, Wash., people smile and, worst-case scenario, give me a “That’s OK” accompanied by a smile. Heck, I went to get a haircut a few weeks ago and talked with not just the barber, but a customer, about my arrival to Polson, and they were genuinely happy for me to be here.

As far as work goes, well, it doesn’t feel like work at all. I’ve always loved covering and writing about sports and doing so in Lake County has definitely been no exception. I’ve been impressed with many of the area’s athletes, some excelling on two fronts in one season (something student-athletes don’t do in Spokane). I haven’t even been here two months and I’ve had the privilege to cover a state champion (congrats again, Polson girls golf!) and an up-and-coming football program back from extinction (Two Eagle River), along with several other programs, each with their own compelling storyline.

It’s been the stories with no connections to sports, however, that’s made this job so satisfying. I’ve covered inspiring individuals, fascinating features and significant stories, made better by the people involved with them. The sense of community is heightened through each new person I’ve met along the way.

Sure, I miss Spokane, having already been back twice. And I’m sure I’ll miss it a little more when the impending winter arrives (I’ve heard mixed reviews, but the consensus is that it’s definitely worse than the Lilac City and, at times, I struggled with that). But I’m happy to be back to where I started this journey.

Actually, judging by the people who I don’t even know, it’s like I never really left. Thank you, Lake County.