Road Trip Day 1, Mishap 1

Currently R. and I are in Lacey WA, right near Olympia.

We had planned to leave Thursday evening, but decided it was silly because we were tired and would have to push ourselves to leave them.

So, we held off and left today. After running some errands and finishing getting the last of the stuff out of the apartment, we got on the road about 1:30.

The trailer is full. The car is full. The cat was not happy at first. But, the trailer drives well and the cat settled down.

The border crossing was one of the easiest ever. They asked us where we lived, where we were moving to and gave us some info on importing R.'s car back to the U.S. That was it. Easy as pie.

Then... the slow down began.

There was an oil spill down the I-5 from Bellingham, Washington to Burlington, WA. Apparently, an oil tanker was leaking oil down the road. 10 cars got into accidents. It was slick, so everyone had to go slow. Slow. Slow.

Finally, we get into Seattle. Traffic. Then Tacoma. Traffic.

Around 6:30, we decide it is time to eat. Taco Bell. We are craving it. There is no Taco Bell in Canada. Must eat. Now.

We find one in Lacey WA. As we pull into the parking lot, R. takes the turn a bit too tightly, and hits the curb with the trailer. We get out, check it out, it seems fine. Go inside. The tire looked low, but we were going to go get air. As we drive out of the parking lot, we hear the tire losing air. Quickly. We get to a gas station. OK, it's flat. We shall deal. No worries. We have a spare! Spare tire! Yay! We have no jack. Damn. Ok. To the store. We get a jack. Come back. Tire off. New tire goes on... right? Wrong. We struggle. We fight. We think we just suck and can't get it on. We decide "hey, let's put on the old tire, see if it is easy". It is easy. Oh no. The rim. The rim is not right. It doesn't work. Fuck.

So. We gave up, as it is nearly 9pm by now. We got a hotel room, went in the hot tub, drank some beers, ate some candy, and found a tire store. Luckily, we broke down in an area that is populated and lots of stuff is at this exit. The trailer is still at the gas station. We are watching TV. Getting up early, hoping to get the tire transfered from the bad rim to the old rim. But, the old rim got bent, which is why we got the flat in the first place. So, hopefully they can fix that.

All in all it was a good day. We got out of Vancouver. We got across the border easily. The car is handling the weight well. The cat is getting along in the car fine. We made if 4 hours south. We had a minor set back, but all in all, it is only a flat tire. It sucks the spare is messed up and that is frustrating part. But, we shall get it straightened out tomorrow. Then back on the road. See how far we get.

No pictures tonight. I left the cable in the car. But lots tomorrow and video too :)

This is an adventure. Not everything will go perfect and that's OK. But, for those of you who know, we are basically in the dead zone of the I-5, so this isn't that surprising. I just always think if this isn't one of the 5 worst things that has happened to me, then I'm not worried. We are on our way. More tomorrow.

-N.

Packing the Trailer: Part 2

No reports lately as R. was in Seattle for a few days for a conference, and I was here packing and organizing. It has been a beautiful fall in Vancouver. I'm glad we've gotten to enjoy it before we head out.


On Monday, it was a near disaster with the lock we've been keeping around the tire. We couldn't get it off, and the lubricant recommended by a locksmith wasn't helping. Luckily, R looked on the manufacturer's website and with the help of his lucky breaker bar, we were able to hammer it into submission and the key finally turned. It would have been a bitch to get off otherwise, so that was definitely a bit of luck.

The offending lock:


Since then, it has been packing the trailer, selling stuff, and cleaning out junk. Sunday/Monday/Today have been exceedingly busy and I know we are both looking forward to getting on the road.

The packing progress:
1. Still a long way to go


2. Creative packing


3. Almost full!


Estimated departure is Thursday. Now is finishing clearing out my apartment, seeing people and running those last minute annoying errands. If this were an 800m race, we'd be down to the final 150 meters. Tired, but pushing forward because we can't wait to be done.

Minnie has not been of much help, but apparently has been spending way too much time online and is exhausted.


That's all for now. Too tired for interesting words.
-N.

Packing the Trailer: Part 1

Sunday was the first day of packing the trailer. I got ambitious and was doing this amazing packing job, except i did not consider the weight on the tongue. We can only have 500 pounds on it... and I was definitely doing a good job of packing it tight,but too much weight for sure. So, we had to do a bit of an unload, and a reload. More packing of the trailer today as R. is out of town for a few days. My apartment is mainly packed up and we are selling off things we don't want/need to bring.


ETD is still October 27th, but we shall see if we make it. My goal is to keep the packing moving steady, and hopefully we achieve that goal. I think I'm just anxious and ready to get on the road and get out of here. On to the next part. All this moving/packing just feels like we are stuck in a holding pattern. I know it gets us to our end goal, but at times it is tedious. At the same time, when I think of all the loose ends I still need to tie up I could easily be overwhelmed. Always a mix of emotions in these events.


The trailer


Motorcycle in.



Packing. Packing. Packing.


Stopping point for day one of the trailer packing.




More photos soon.
- N.

The current state of things.

Work is done for me. Now it is time to finish things up here in Vancouver.

The current state of the apartment is not pretty. Getting rid of things. Packing. Figuring out what needs to be kept out a while longer, what can go now.

Minnie (the cat) seems uncertain about all this, not sure what exactly is going on. Totally unhelpful in the packing process.




Two people living in 350 square feet is not easy, as can be imagined, but we are doing quite well. Even in this mess.





Tomorrow, the packing of the trailer begins. It will be the greatest game of Tetris ever. Packing around the motorcycle. Fitting in the furniture and the boxes. Photos to come.

-N.

A beginning.

The great move and travel extravaganza are nearly underway.

A big decision was made somewhat quickly, but with confidence. To move away from Vancouver, to travel, then settle down in Austin, TX. I know I personally have almost no worries or fears. That the lack of worries and fears *almost* makes me nervous, but doesn't. I guess it reveals my confidence in our plans. Excuses were put aside, and happiness was put at the forefront. It was time for a change, for both of us. No need to waste any more days debating. What R. and I both wanted was clear: to leave this lovely city drenched in rain and travel and start a new life somewhere sunnier and warmer.

So here we are.

One apartment empty, now one to go.

A trailer still to be filled and perfectly arranged for the long haul southward.

Boxes to be packed, stuff to be sorted through and thrown out or given away.

Items to be sold. Addresses need to be changed and services canceled.

It feels like there is so much to do and so little all at once. A lot of hurry up and wait. Both of us ready to leave, to start a new chapter of life.

And to go with this new chapter, a blog. A place to document our travels. To keep in touch. Pictures and more words to come. The next 10 days will be busy as we move closer to the great exodus.

The excitement stirs and grows. We will be on our way ever so soon.

- N.