The Die Is Cast... Moving House and Heading Out For Parts Unknown

[Lauri D]

I just flew back to Orange County (CA) from Colorado and have made some general decisions which will be put in motion starting tomorrow or Monday - a friend is here for one more night so I haven't actually got "home" yet, I'm going to hang out with her in this area and pick up my car near the airport tomorrow, at which point the "execution" of plans will begin in earnest.

I'm giving my notice 12/1 or before and plan to have all my heavy stuff packed up pre-Xmas and will drive back to CO around Xmas or in between Xmas and New Year's. I think I am going to end up using professional movers because a lot of my furniture is just too unweildy and I don't feel too comfortable driving a U-Haul myself after so many years of teeny tiny cars.

After Jan. 1, once my stuff arrives there and I have the chance to unpack and organize things, I am going to set out upon my road trip. My tentative itinerary is to go from Durango to New Mexico to Texas to Alabama to Georgia, then swing back through Arkansas and Oklahama back to CO (via Denver). I need to get in closer touch with all y'all that I'd love to visit along the way and in the next four weeks figure out a definite schedule... you know who you are!

I'm excited... very much overdue for a change and new experiences. I won't have a strict schedule by any means so I like the fact that if I really like a place I'll be able to spend as much time as I like without having to adhere to a predetermined timetable.

So many things to plan!!! :wave:

[Brimshack]

Oh sure, just go visit all your cool friends; the ones who live in civilization, why don't you?

[viscousmemories]

Wow, a few months living in the nation's icehole and the deep south becomes "civilization".

[Brimshack]

Uh, ...yes.

[Lauri D]

I was kinda hoping to get out your way too, Brim, especially if we can go to a Mongolian BBQ somewhere!

[viscousmemories]

Are you sure you know where he is these days?

Hint: You can't drive there!

[Brimshack]

Now you hush, Tom. She's coming to my place for Mongolian. We'll work out the details later.

[Lauri D]

Holy guacamole - did you move to Antarctica?!

[Watser?]

Arctica, I think.

[Ensign Steve]

Wow, you couldn't be further off!

@Lauri, not Watser! :shakedutch:

[Watser?]

:ptht:

[Brimshack]

I'm in the arctic.

...and I have a wok.

:tiphat2:

[mulebear]

The closest I've been to the arctic circle is about a hundred miles. Still, the Northern Lights were amazing from there.

A few years back I was planning a trip to Alaska that would include a visit to Barrow, but just before I was about to buy the plane tickets my Mom called and asked me if I would take her to London. So I went to London.

Someday I'll make it up to Barrow and down to McMurdo. I actually thought about visiting Qaanaaq once.

:qsigh:
:sigh:

[mulebear]

But at least Georgia has Mongolian BBQ.

[SharonDee]

My tentative itinerary is to go from Durango to New Mexico to Texas to Alabama to Georgia, then swing back through Arkansas and Oklahama back to COTennessee is feeling pretty snubbed right now, I tell you what.

[Qingdai]

As is Oregon. :glare:

Fun fact: The bbq place down the street was busted as a drug laundering concern and is being retro-fitted as a MONGOLIAN BBQ!

:cough:

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Best of luck, Lauri! Enjoy your trip, it sounds way awesome.

[Brimshack]

O-K-A-Y...

:paperbag:

What she said.

[LadyShea]

How does your soon to be cohabitator feel about your extended road trip? I think it's brilliant, as you know, and have recommended it to you for what, 5 years now? ;)

[Lauri D]

Hmmm... Tennessee... I could go there too...

Lady - I know, I know, I'm a slow "decider" sometimes! It's actually been about six years in the contemplation stage. Re: the soon-to-be-cohabitor, he loves the idea and is mostly concerned that I be vigilant about personal safety, making sure people know where I am and stuff like that (he's a worrywart). I'm more cautious nowadays than I used to be (that's what an involuntary Ozarks adventure will do to ya!) and I'm getting a GPS thingie for Xmas, so I'm sure it'll be fine!

Stupid Question Of The Day: If you can't drive to the Arctic, are there no cars there? How do you get around? :chin:

[Watser?]

http://www.breckaccommodations.com/photos/activities/BreckenridgeDogSledding.jpg

[LadyShea]

There are places in Alaska you must fly to, as no roads go there.

[SharonDee]

Hmmm... Tennessee... I could go there too...:excited:

I wouldn't need much of a commitment from you. Interstate 40 runs right into Nashville and we could do lunch or dinner or something. Then--right from Nashville, natch--you could hop I-65 for Alabama or I-24 for Georgia.

[Brimshack]

If you can't drive to the Arctic, are there no cars there? How do you get around? :chin:

Sure, there are cars, though everything is officially off-road, so you don't really need a license (except apparently for airport road). The vehicles are shipped in at a cost of around 5 grand each. Alternatively, people can drive up the ice road from Prudhoe Bay. It's recommended you take a beacon, and folks are warned in advance that if something goes wrong, people will be saved, but not property.

Mostly though people get around on Snow machines and ATVs.

But mostly people come here by flying.

[Dingfod]

I, for one, welcome my Lauri D overlord... er, visitor.

[Lauri D]

Holy shit, not only is the notice given but I've chosen a moving company. They will be here 12/28. I think I will go throw up now.

[Watser?]

:patpat:

[LadyShea]

Holy shit, not only is the notice given but I've chosen a moving company. They will be here 12/28. I think I will go throw up now.


Really? Moving is stressful but exciting! Go with it!

[Lauri D]

You're right, LS, it is exciting, but also overwhelming... and expensive! It will come out in the wash once I'm not paying the exorbitant rent, but still, the costs just keep adding up.

Anyone have experience with getting rid of unwanted items that I can't get out of here myself (too heavy to move downstairs) and have difficulty selling on craigslist or the like because no one else wants to move 'em downstairs? I want to get rid of a refrigerator (only a year old, it pains me to let it go but I don't need it where I'm going and it would cost to move it) a futon (barely used) and a big easy-chair thing, and two antique side tables from my mom that I just don't want to carry anymore but someone would really love.

[LadyShea]

Anyone have experience with getting rid of unwanted items that I can't get out of here myself (too heavy to move downstairs) and have difficulty selling on craigslist or the like because no one else wants to move 'em downstairs? I want to get rid of a refrigerator (only a year old, it pains me to let it go but I don't need it where I'm going and it would cost to move it) a futon (barely used) and a big easy-chair thing, and two antique side tables from my mom that I just don't want to carry anymore but someone would really love.

You can donate it and take the tax break (and they often will send trucks and guys to haul it off), buy some pizzas and beer for neighbor guys to move it downstairs and have a yard sale, or put it on Craigslist-or in the regular paper- and explain when someone calls that they will have to bring mover people and equipment.

I would pay for a real ad for the stuff like the antiques and the fridge, just a better quality of customer usually.

And yes it can be expensive. Did you insist on a "not to exceed" clause on the mover's estimate?

[Lauri D]

[quote]And yes it can be expensive. Did you insist on a "not to exceed" clause on the mover's estimate?
Definitely, when I was talking to various companies I had a list of questions and that was my one big deal-breaker. The company I ended up choosing was not the cheapest estimate but doesn't seem to have a lot of open ended stuff giving opportunity to hidden fees and last-minute upcharges.

Thanks for the tips on getting rid of stuff too! I have plenty of time in the big picture and am probably just panicking uneccessarily.

[LadyShea]

Yep, lowball estimates left completely open to "actual charges" are how the moving industry works. My parents got smacked with over a 1500.00 difference one time, which is why I am the "do not exceed" nanny these days.

You should see the difference -both monetarily and the time/care they take in inspecting your stuff to create the estimate- between an open estimate and a not to exceed estimate (which I did kind of for an experiment)