Keep calm and carry on.

Matt hit the ground running and started work the next morning after we arrived and I spent the next few days getting utilities set up, checking on the cats, and running errands. This is the first time EVER that every utility is in my name (he's authorized on the accounts of course). Despite having to say "no, i don't have a job" to every person trying to set up accounts, my credit score is awesome enough to avoid deposits. Yeah! Moving in day was Sunday morning. Ed, Fender, and Mackenzie came to lend a hand and they did an awesome job. Thanks guys! 

[...]

You pack; We haul.

In March 2010 we drove and ferried more than 6,000 miles (it was at least 6,017 miles but that doesn’t include all the running around at each stop). It was probably close to 6,500 when all was said and done. I would like to note that we did take THE LONG WAY!

 

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[...]

Oregon Move Day 6: The Last Leg

http://shotinthedarkcoffee.com/

We woke up in Twin Falls and did the same thing we did every morning. Once loaded into the car it was off to find coffee and breakfast. Everything (ie not fast food) was more in the downtown area- the opposite direction of the interstate. Maybe a mile down the road I saw a coffee sign and flipped a U-ey. A Shot in the Dark Coffee House. A cute place that reminded me a lot of the coffee shops back in Alaska. You know the kind that feel like you’re in someone’s living room. Lisa, the owner, was working the counter. She’s cheerful and easy to talk to. We ordered our coffees and breakfast. She has a menu of to go meals. She explains the breakfast sandwiches are 2 eggs, your choice of meat, veggies, and a variety of sauces. Doesn’t matter what you want it’s all the same price. It takes her about 15 minutes to make them both and they are huge! More importantly they are amazingly delicious! The coffee is local and also delicious. If you are ever in the Twin Falls area please stop by and enjoy what the shop has to offer we highly recommend them. [...]

Move to Oregon Day 5

Caution: Rattlesnakes May Be Present

Let’s see, we woke up from the first decent night of sleep in a while- Little Baby Tom Tom was actually quiet for most of the night for once. Of course, we still had to move the bed to get at him when it was kennel time. Double-dosed The Luce Goose, but apparently she has been building a tolerance. A few days ago, it would have knocked her out completely for a few hours at least. Coffee and the biggest donuts from a drive-up coffee shop-- shop local—then back on the I-80 where we’ve been since, well, since we left Chicago.

The rest of Wyoming was just as pretty, but very remote. The occasional ranch, plant (we passed a big power plant that was working so hard the building was nearly invisible from its own white smoke which trailed off and looked a lot like a white version of the smoke monster in Lost), or rest stop/ weigh station there was not much to speak of. There were a few stretches that warned of high winds and quite a few wind turbines and long stretches of power lines. We did stop at one rest stop and were quite amused to see this sign:

We had Taco Time (anytime is a good time for tacos) in Rock Springs and we made one last stop in Evenston, Wyo for fuel before crossing into Utah. Matt’s Dad- generous man that he is- gave us a credit card for Shell and he’s picking up the tab. He also gave us a gift card that is paying for the hotels and some food. Thanks, Jerry! There was no Shell here and come to find out no Shell gas between Rawlins, Wyo (208 miles behind us) until 12 miles from Twin Falls, ID (223 miles down the road) along the I-80 and 84. What’s up Shell?! This is no bueno. [...]

Wyoming sunset

Day 4 Oregon Move, Cornhuskers and Cowboys, January 8, 2012

Woke up in west Des Moines. So, this is what Iowa looks like in the light. Flat. We went back to Panera again, this time for breakfast. Sadly, we learned that there were some good brew pubs in Des Moines a little too late. Wish we had that info the night before. Anyway, drugged the cats and went to get some breakfast and coffee. Bagel sandwiches and hazelnut coffee at Panera and some high cats and we were off, heading West on I-80. 

Blew through the rest of Iowa and into Nebraska. This was the first time either of us had been in the Cornhusker State. Hit Omaha (somewhere in Middle America) right across the border. Saw Rosenblatt Stadium on the East end of town. Someday we will come back and see the College World Series when Georgia Tech can avoid choking in regional or super-regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Omaha was a much bigger city that I anticipated. Then again, so was Des Moines. I kept picturing college town-size cities for these plains states. I was wrong. A little further to Lincoln, which actually is a college town. The city was well off the freeway, so we only saw it in the distance. For anyone who has never driven through Nebraska, it is big. More than 400 miles from Iowa to Wyoming.  At some point in mid-day, we crossed through Brady, NE. This is relevant, because it is the halfway point of our trip. 1400 miles from Oakton, VA. 1400 miles to Hillsboro, OR. [...]

Move to Oregon Days 1-3

OK, may go back and update these with some more detail later. But, I am tired and watching the playoff game in a Motel 6 is Des Moines, Iowa while Sam is already down for the count (as is Lucy). Just pumped out a quick update of the first few days to get something up. The book on tape for the first part of the drive has been "Lisey's Story" by Stephen King.

ME

Day 1:  False Start, Thursday, January 5, 2012

Well, our original intention was to leave sometime this afternoon…

The moving truck came on Monday. It was a success loading that thing. Our driver, Keith, was a big help. We had a lot more stuff that the space would allow if we had packed the thing. Our expert truck driver made sure we got everything in place, though. We are the first load being picked up and the last one to be dropped off. Stuff should arrive the weekend of January 14^th.

We had been staying at Dad’s place in Mansassas the past few days after cleaning out the Oakton apartment. I have to admit that I will miss our old apartment. It was Sam and my first place as a married couple and the first place we picked out together. I won’t miss the commute or the ridiculous rent in the area, but there is some nostalgia in that unit.

Took the car in to Dad’s trusted mechanic, Kevin, so we could have the lights looked at and to check on a noise the wheels had been making. Turned out that the past few mechanics to look at the Subaru didn’t really care to take care of it. The back light console had been broken off and part of the under carriage was hanging on with a zip tie. The noise in the wheels turned out to be some bad ball bearings. Kevin was great enough to get some new ones ordered and put in the same day. Anyone in Northern VA, we can’t recommend Complete Auto Care in Manassas enough.

Even after the car issues, we are still feeling good. We locked down a new place to live in Hillsboro! Got a nice price on a 2 bedroom townhouse with an attached garage. It is just a couple miles from work and walking distance to the light rail. We are excited. No rush now that we aren’t trying to find a place before our stuff gets there.

We are taking it easy and leaving tomorrow. Pack the car tonight for a good early start in the morning. [...]