<p>One more round of revisions, one whole new essay. I’m sure this has some grammar/style errors, but I really want to make sure I have enough substance here. It seems a little weak, both on storytelling and deep analysis, so any thought on ways to improve that would be lovely.</p>
<p>Every winter my driveway becomes an obstacle course that terrorizes any car with the foolish nerve to attempt it. A long sheet of winding ice decides that car access is banned. It laughs at the idea of traction. Sitting at the first corner is a broken plow truck warning others of the danger ahead. Ever since I learned how to walk I have been tackling the blistering mile with simplified crampons, often falling and ripping my hand on the audacious rocks that poke through the thick layer of ice. Ultimately the hike leads to an oversized log cabin surrounded on all sides by at least a mile of forest. The house stands perpetually unfinished, with a new project around every corner. Half of a garden stands next to a deck waiting to be stained. The house needs trim, and the roof looks more dilapidated everyday.This is my home; a collection of incomplete parts quietly waiting for repair. </p>
<p>This mountain home has taught me things that a more populated area never could. The freedom here allows for great exploration. It would be much harder to build a basketball launching trebuchet if I had to worry about breaking a neighbors window. I would not be able to fire a homemade potato cannon out of a suburban front door, but here I can shoot it down the slope of the mountain from our second story windows. I have found a love for creating things. My irregular chemistry set would likely lead to some calls from the local chapter of the DEA , but my forest fortress allows me to experiment without worrying.</p>
<p>The mountain does have its disadvantages, however. I am so removed from society that even the fire department could not reach me. Too much of my life has been spent in the quiet isolation that a mountain affords. Sometimes I am quite thankful for this peace which allows for serene introspection, but sometimes the solitude is limiting. There is so much more to the world than cannot be found in this small mountain property. For example my world is irritatingly homogeneous. I know that there are new ideas found in people who I have no opportunity to learn from. The world has too much to offer to spend life stuck in one location. I have experienced the wonders of small towns and rural living, and now I need to change my perspective.</p>
<p>My father built this house after realizing that he could not find what he wanted in the city. He has taught me to seek what you want, and now I want to go out and immerse myself in the things that different cultures and locations can provide. The internet may provide some insight, but there is nothing like real world experience.</p>