The ABCs of Starting Over- OR to KY Roadtrip + WDW 50th Ann. Trip 9/28-10/4; Day 6 and REPORT COMPLETE!

[Steppesister]

Well you aren't passing through here but I'll wave!

And I'll wave back! I hope you'll check in often as I make my way across this beautiful country of ours!

 

[Steppesister]

C is for: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes​

If I've learned anything this past year and a half it's that changes are now normal and nothing can really be predicted. Chickens aren't to be counted and eggs shouldn't all be put into one basket. Because life has a way of coming along and knocking the basket off the table.

My basket was upset yesterday when Greg and Marcia called and said they just aren't comfortable with travel right now and don't want to go. I am not upset per se realizing that everyone must do what they feel is best for them. However, it did mean some re-thinking on how we're gonna do some things.

1) We'd planned on sharing a lot of the hotel rooms along the way which is now going to result in my spending twice as much on those.

Solution: I'm going to propose to Zach that some of our nights we'll camp along Forest Service Roads or other safer places here and there. My Nissan Rogue has fold-down seats so that we can easily sleep in the car. Unfortunately, it will require a bit of extra planning to find suitable places.

2) We won't be having to stop in Ridgecrest so we'll be able to make it to Barstow on night 4(?). Also, it completely cuts out the stop in Tucson shaving off at least 3 days.

Re-adjustment: Lots of extra time to toodle around in NE Arizona seeing some WAY cooler stuff. (See next chapter)

3) Two fewer people to have to please with eating and stopping.

Response: I'm not sad about this part, and it will actually end up saving us lots of money on food I think. Zach and I are more open to, and even happy about, picnicking or eating fast food for lunches and eating simply for breakfasts than they would have been. Most of our Western States portion takes us through some pretty remote locales and having a cooler and no hard agenda to eat fancy will make things so much easier.

4) Some planned stops may be harder to find because our guide is lost. I was depending on Greg to help us find a few places they’d recommended.

Solution: I've asked G&M if they could maybe type up some of the directions and names of the places or people they've mentioned. Marcia is going to give me a map that she'd highlighted as well. Also, I bought a big US Atlas so I can map some things out given that we're cutting out Tucson and adding some other stuff. Then from that "big picture" I can plug in each day's route into the GPS. Did I mention how much I LOVE maps?!

5) My Tucson stuff won't be there until January now.

Response: That's okay. Now I won't have to worry about it getting stolen or vandalized. Not that the stuff is super valuable but an empty RV is less a target than a loaded one, I suppose. G&M did say that they will be going there in January "no matter what". Not sure I understand that logic if nothing changes. Nevertheless, my 10 or so boxes of clothes, knick-knacks, kitchen items, bedding, etc... will make its way there. Very sweet of them!

Okay, must keep this short!! Sooooo much to do!! Hopefully I can pull away later this evening and write a bit more.

 

[Mousemom234]

<waves ! > Following along, with happy anticipation.

And now it's YOUR turn: Where would you go on a Grand Adventure if you could leave tomorrow. Would you move there? Visit? For how long?

I've already gone on mine...
Sort of similar to yours, but also vastly different.
I, too, left Salem (NH) for a new place many miles from there, in a completely different culture and community.

Shortly after my husband of 33 years passed in April 2020, I ran away from home... ...... I left behind no family, no friends, and only a few acquaintances.

Scoured the internet, and bought a house in a retirement community - 1000 miles and 8 states away, practically sight unseen.

I started packing some boxes, and read reviews, then picked a reliable and recommended moving company to pack and move the things I wanted to bring with me.
Long story short - I ended up having a PODS (moving cargo container) packed - extremely poorly - by the estate sale coordinator, after my movers cancelled the job 3 days before I was leaving.
I frantically marked, labelled, and wrote sticky notes....

So I crammed my car with Cs -- China, Corningware, cast iron, clothing, cook books, comforters, crocheted afghans, and most importantly cats. I have 2 - both boys: tuxedo coon mix, and siamese chocolate point.

Then I drove south for 4 days. Arrived in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, just in time for Thanksgiving
My PODS was finally delivered and unpacked the day after Christmas
My real estate agent (Bless her!) left a couple of meals in my fridge, and checked in on me frequently for the first few months.

<sc>Wonderfully welcoming place... </sc>
Nearly a year later, I still haven't had my "welcome home" tour of the main complex and resident facilities, and most of the neighbours duck back in their house instantly if I happen to go out to get my mail while they're out working on their flower beds.
And the reception desk lost my birthday present for 2 weeks because they didn't have a clue who the package was for - even though I'm in the Resident Directory...

So, that's MY Grand Adventure. It's been... interesting

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

DP? Win big yet?

Massive win! Won another lucky dip with my lucky dip So we got 2 chances this week

I am. I'll DM you my name.

Perfect

 

[Wood Nymph]

Those are some major changes to your travel plans. At least you still have Zach.

Zach and I are more open to, and even happy about, picnicking or eating fast food for lunches and eating simply for breakfasts than they would have been. Most of our Western States portion takes us through some pretty remote locales and having a cooler and no hard agenda to eat fancy will make things so much easier.

The one thing that the Covid lock down did was to show us how nice it was to bring picnic lunches on our excursions. Even something as simple as taking the family to the museum ended up being an enjoyable picnic by the lake instead of an expensive, sub-par meal in the museum restaurant.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

My basket was upset yesterday when Greg and Marcia called and said they just aren't comfortable with travel right now and don't want to go. I am not upset per se realizing that everyone must do what they feel is best for them.

Well, that's a bummer. And I'm sure a bit stressful at the last minute.

1) We'd planned on sharing a lot of the hotel rooms along the way which is now going to result in my spending twice as much on those.

Solution: I'm going to propose to Zach that some of our nights we'll camp along Forest Service Roads or other safer places here and there. My Nissan Rogue has fold-down seats so that we can easily sleep in the car. Unfortunately, it will require a bit of extra planning to find suitable places.

Yikes. I can't imagine that's going to be much fun.

3) Two fewer people to have to please with eating and stopping.

So there's that, at least.

Solution: I've asked G&M if they could maybe type up some of the directions and names of the places or people they've mentioned. Marcia is going to give me a map that she'd highlighted as well. Also, I bought a big US Atlas so I can map some things out given that we're cutting out Tucson and adding some other stuff. Then from that "big picture" I can plug in each day's route into the GPS. Did I mention how much I LOVE maps?!

Makes sense to me. Hope you can come up with some cool stops!

G&M did say that they will be going there in January "no matter what". Not sure I understand that logic if nothing changes.

 

[Steppesister]

<waves ! > Following along, with happy anticipation.




I've already gone on mine...
Sort of similar to yours, but also vastly different.
I, too, left Salem (NH) for a new place many miles from there, in a completely different culture and community.

Shortly after my husband of 33 years passed in April 2020, I ran away from home... ...... I left behind no family, no friends, and only a few acquaintances.

Scoured the internet, and bought a house in a retirement community - 1000 miles and 8 states away, practically sight unseen.

I started packing some boxes, and read reviews, then picked a reliable and recommended moving company to pack and move the things I wanted to bring with me.
Long story short - I ended up having a PODS (moving cargo container) packed - extremely poorly - by the estate sale coordinator, after my movers cancelled the job 3 days before I was leaving.
I frantically marked, labelled, and wrote sticky notes....

So I crammed my car with Cs -- China, Corningware, cast iron, clothing, cook books, comforters, crocheted afghans, and most importantly cats. I have 2 - both boys: tuxedo coon mix, and siamese chocolate point.

Then I drove south for 4 days. Arrived in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, just in time for Thanksgiving
My PODS was finally delivered and unpacked the day after Christmas
My real estate agent (Bless her!) left a couple of meals in my fridge, and checked in on me frequently for the first few months.

<sc>Wonderfully welcoming place... </sc>
Nearly a year later, I still haven't had my "welcome home" tour of the main complex and resident facilities, and most of the neighbours duck back in their house instantly if I happen to go out to get my mail while they're out working on their flower beds.
And the reception desk lost my birthday present for 2 weeks because they didn't have a clue who the package was for - even though I'm in the Resident Directory...

So, that's MY Grand Adventure. It's been... interesting

That is one heck of an "adventure" and change!! WOWZA! But how odd that your neighbors are so unfriendly and well... rude. Totally don't get that.

You are one brave lady to venture out without a network to support you!!

I'm using a moving pod too (U-Pack) and it's supposed to be delivered Friday. We'll have until Tuesday morning to pack it up, which should be plenty of time! However, my movers also have been a bit wishy-washy and I'm getting nervous. I went over to their apt yesterday (they own a moving business, but my moonlight me) and he said he'd let me know which day, but I haven't heard. I'll go over again in a bit. Otherwise, I'm scrambling at this point.

 

[Steppesister]

W

Massive win! Won another lucky dip with my lucky dip So we got 2 chances this week

Perfect

Woot!! We'll have so much fun when you win big!!

 

[Steppesister]

Those are some major changes to your travel plans. At least you still have Zach.

I think he's really going to love this trip. How could he not?!

The one thing that the Covid lock down did was to show us how nice it was to bring picnic lunches on our excursions. Even something as simple as taking the family to the museum ended up being an enjoyable picnic by the lake instead of an expensive, sub-par meal in the museum restaurant.

Turns out we're gonna have to do a ton of that given the route I've chosen as you'll see! LOTS of rural, remote stuff! But we like sandwiches and cooler stuff and can eat well when we're in cities.

 

[Steppesister]

Well, that's a bummer. And I'm sure a bit stressful at the last minute.

It was, but I think I've adjusted well and actually I think our route is going to be even better!

Yikes. I can't imagine that's going to be much fun.

Probably not but given our route, we will have to.

Makes sense to me. Hope you can come up with some cool stops!

Just you wait!!!

 

[Steppesister]

D is for Days 5-8 Destinations​

Day 5-

With Ridgecrest off the table, we’re shooting for Barstow for Night 4- all of this is subject to how often we stop and enjoy the scenery mind you- plans are guidelines not rules. That said, taking off East out of Barstow, we’ll stick to Old Route 66 and find some kicks in Amboy. I went to university in Flagstaff, AZ and took that trip “home” through Amboy many, many times. There really isn’t much to see (and I’m sure it’s very different than 35? years ago) but there are some cool salt flats and working salt mines there that are worth the drive. At one time there was Roy’s where you could get a burger, which also housed the post office, gas station, and town hall. Last I drove through, the entire “town” (one building) was for sale.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboy,_California

​

Also along the way on Day 5, we’ll stop at Peach Springs, Tribal Headquarters of the Hualapai Tribe. This is where we’ll get some lesser known views of the Grand Canyon area and some other interesting sites. I’ll let you Google it; you won’t be sorry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach_Springs,_Arizona

From there it’s time to get out of the car and do a little hiking. I’ve never heard of, but discovered during my research, a little piece of cool history- The Johnson Railroad Tunnel. Here is a description for you if you’re interested! Looks GREAT!! I love that it’s easy and only takes about 3 hours. And I think it may afford some cool photo ops!

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=931

There’s a campground at the Welches Road Exit, so we’ll make use of that calling it a good 9-hour day. If we make too many stops along the way for sight-seeing, we can easily hike the next morning too. (I'm leaning towards this.)

Day 6-

From Ash Fork, the direction is South taking us on 89 through the Chino and Prescott Valleys, both gorgeous areas that I spent a TON of time in during college. My ex did his Masters work in that area collecting research and data for his Geology Thesis. I did BOATLOADS of rockhounding (even found a legit ruby), mapping, hiking, and sitting in cattle tanks to cool off. By September maybe the noseeums will be under control.

Just west of Prescott Valley, our route turns east and we’ll mosey, twist, and turn our way up to Jerome. I’m ridiculously excited about this, but I think since I was there last it looks like it’s taken a turn for the “touristy”. Ugh. 35 years ago, you could amble as you might going into the old buildings and exploring. Still, I love a good old mining town.

Tuzigoot National Monument is our next stop where we’ll photograph and see some ancient Native ruins.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuzigoot_National_Monument

No trip to the area would be complete without showing Zach Montezuma’s Castle Cliff Dwelling ruins! That’s next on the list. However, when I was living in the area, we found some off-the-beaten-path ruins that I may try to locate again. It took a bit of a hike to get to them, but we saw ancient corncobs still intact which was pretty amazing.

​

Traveling north from there, the obvious next stop is Red Rock Canyon near Sedona. This may be the most beautiful spot on the planet. If it’s a hot day, we may take a plunge at Slide Rock- I need to remember to bring a trash bag to slide on!!

​

After that we’ll need a hotel, so I’ll try to book one in the next few days in Flagstaff. Phew!! What a beautiful, fun-filled few days we’ll have had until now!

Day 7-

Heading north out of Flagstaff, we’ll make our first stop at Wupatki National Monument, another area of ruins, then hit up some REAL dinosaur tracks at Moenkopi! I’ve done it before, but never, ever get tired of stuff like that. This area is my jam, Folks!

https://www.placestoseeinarizona.com/tuba-city-dinosaur-tracks/


Lee’s Ferry is next with some fantastic photo stops at Marble Canyon, Balanced Rock, Cathedral Rock (with a possible hike here), and then a stop at the Vermillion Cliffs for a breather. The end destination for this day is the North Rim where we can pitch our tent for free anywhere in the National Forest.

Day 8-

The goal of this day is only 3 sights- Monument Valley (which will require a paid fee of $20), the Goosenecks State Park, and Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de SHAY). The Goosenecks affords one of my clearest and earliest memories of solo traveling and was perhaps one of my most risky moves as a young 20-year old off doing her own thing. I decided to camp at the Viewpoint and was just staring off into this most amazing view and a single guy pulled up to do the same thing. He was friendly enough and said hi, we chatted for a few minutes and then we each minded our own business. It wasn’t until a few years later when I had my own kids that I thought back on that and realized how vulnerable I was that night. In hindsight, I could have easily been assaulted and dumped over the edge without a trace in that remote place alone and unprotected. YEESH! I’m glad to have Zach along. Not only to have safety in numbers, but also to show him some of these beautiful places.

​

We won’t do any guided tours as we’re trying to get to Gallup this day. It’ll be a long, but gorgeous day!


I'm not sure how much more I will be able to update.... I'm really feeling the crunch now and there are many details still to be done. That said, I will try.

 

[Mousemom234]

That is one heck of an "adventure" and change!! WOWZA!

Certainly is. Sometimes I just sit and wonder 'wth was I thinking?'
But - as you said "Adventure is out there" and like Carl, I'm on my own.

I'm still adjusting to a completely different lifestyle - but I'm seriously starting to think about a trip to the 'House of Mouse' sometime in the next year or so.
We had a trip planned before my DH became ill. He wanted me to go without him, but I cancelled out after an incident, and I was very glad I did.
<sigh> I have tickets to use... (and VISA points).

But how odd that your neighbors are so unfriendly and well... rude. Totally don't get that.

I'm not sure it's entirely rudeness, I think some of it's fear of the 'stranger'. Who knows what germs the damyankee might carry.
Also, one of the neighbours who does talk to me said "Don't worry about her - #21 doesn't talk to ANYBODY on the street, it's not just you "

You are one brave lady to venture out without a network to support you!!

If 'brave' means forging ahead while devastated and terrified, then yeah.
I wasn't going to have one if I stayed, either.
But I just couldn't stay in 'our' house by myself, and it was too big for 1 person to take care of. It needed a new owner who could give it the care it deserved.
So I decided that it was time to move away. And we'd planned to eventually move south after he retired, so I just went with it, and started looking.
Something about this place I ended up in just said "This is where you need to be" while I was reseaching senior communities. Time will tell - but most of the people I've met are nice, and seem to be quite happy here.
Maybe I'll find some fellow Mouse-a-holics °0°

I'm using a moving pod too (U-Pack) and it's supposed to be delivered Friday. We'll have until Tuesday morning to pack it up, which should be plenty of time!

I didn't have any problem with PODS, they did a very good job with what they had.
It was the amateur clowns packing crew I had problems with.
Lack of communication, mis-interpreted instructions, and apparently not a -ing clue HOW to pack a container. Rope and moving blankets were not part of their technique. A lot of things marked for packing never even made it into the container
I originally had one of the national moving companies, who would pack, load, move and unpack. The PODS was a last-minute plan of desperation.

However, my movers also have been a bit wishy-washy and I'm getting nervous. I went over to their apt yesterday (they own a moving business, but my moonlight me) and he said he'd let me know which day, but I haven't heard. I'll go over again in a bit. Otherwise, I'm scrambling at this point.

Hopefully, it'll all work out. But unless, like me, you're leaving a lot behind, you should be able to get at least a crew to help shift and load.
That was (I think) part of my problems). The office assured me it was fine, and people did that 'all the time'. The parting words of the supervisor who came Wednesday afternoon to assess the job for staffing needs were "well - we'll see you Friday morning..."
The job was cancelled Thursday morning.
Trust meI scrambled - once I stopped crying...

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It was, but I think I've adjusted well and actually I think our route is going to be even better!

Lots of big changes to your plans but I think your right and I love your positive attitude.
Haven’t time to click on all the links in your last update just now ( school run beckons) but it sounds amazing and I love the photos you’ve put in there. I will be going back to read more but just wanted to wish you well with these last few days of packing up and getting on the road.

@Mousemom234 I hope you are settling into this latest chapter in your life. I’m sure you’ll make more friends soon once people are less anxious with everything covid and the pandemic hopefully is under control. Sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband.

 

[pkondz]

Now ya know!

 

[pkondz]

If I've learned anything this past year and a half it's that changes are now normal and nothing can really be predicted.

Boy did you say a mouthful.

Chickens aren't to be counted and eggs shouldn't all be put into one basket.

But you can put your chickens in a basket and count your eggs.

Greg and Marcia called and said they just aren't comfortable with travel right now and don't want to go.

Oh, no! Talk about a last minute (mostly) bombshell!

1) We'd planned on sharing a lot of the hotel rooms along the way which is now going to result in my spending twice as much on those.

Solution: I'm going to propose to Zach that some of our nights we'll camp along Forest Service Roads or other safer places here and there. My Nissan Rogue has fold-down seats so that we can easily sleep in the car. Unfortunately, it will require a bit of extra planning to find suitable places.

Hope that works out for you guys. Have a blow up mattress (with pump) or sleeping pads??

Also, it completely cuts out the stop in Tucson shaving off at least 3 days.

But... you don't want to check your trailer?

3) Two fewer people to have to please with eating and stopping.

Well... there's that. I get that.

4) Some planned stops may be harder to find because our guide is lost. I was depending on Greg to help us find a few places they’d recommended.

Ugh...

Solution: I've asked G&M if they could maybe type up some of the directions and names of the places or people they've mentioned. Marcia is going to give me a map that she'd highlighted as well. Also, I bought a big US Atlas so I can map some things out given that we're cutting out Tucson and adding some other stuff. Then from that "big picture" I can plug in each day's route into the GPS.

That's good at least.

Did I mention how much I LOVE maps?!

5) My Tucson stuff won't be there until January now.

Response: That's okay. Now I won't have to worry about it getting stolen or vandalized.

Good point.

 

[pkondz]

we’ll stick to Old Route 66

That's a bucket list item of mine. I'd love to travel the full length of Route 66. (Yes I know some of it's gone now.)

we’ll stick to Old Route 66 and find some kicks in Amboy.

I see what you did there.

there are some cool salt flats and working salt mines there that are worth the drive.

Neat.

This is where we’ll get some lesser known views of the Grand Canyon area and some other interesting sites.

Another bucket list item. See the Grand Canyon.

Any of it.

The Johnson Railroad Tunnel. Here is a description for you if you’re interested! Looks GREAT!! I love that it’s easy and only takes about 3 hours. And I think it may afford some cool photo ops!

Sounds pretty cool.

I did BOATLOADS of rockhounding (even found a legit ruby),

Really! No way! Still have it?

sitting in cattle tanks to cool off.

I guess this is a dumb question, but... what's a cattle tank that you cool off in??

Just west of Prescott Valley, our route turns east and we’ll mosey, twist, and turn our way up to Jerome. I’m ridiculously excited about this, but I think since I was there last it looks like it’s taken a turn for the “touristy”. Ugh. 35 years ago, you could amble as you might going into the old buildings and exploring. Still, I love a good old mining town.

That sounds great. But... yeah, wouldn't be surprised if it's tourist trapped up.

No trip to the area would be complete without showing Zach Montezuma’s Castle Cliff Dwelling ruins!

Heard of them. Would love to see.

Traveling north from there, the obvious next stop is Red Rock Canyon near Sedona. This may be the most beautiful spot on the planet.

Really! Huh!

If it’s a hot day, we may take a plunge at Slide Rock- I need to remember to bring a trash bag to slide on!!

then hit up some REAL dinosaur tracks at Moenkopi! I’ve done it before, but never, ever get tired of stuff like that. This area is my jam, Folks!

I'd love to see that too.

Lee’s Ferry is next with some fantastic photo stops at Marble Canyon, Balanced Rock, Cathedral Rock (with a possible hike here), and then a stop at the Vermillion Cliffs for a breather.

You certainly aren't lacking for things to do/see!

The end destination for this day is the North Rim where we can pitch our tent for free anywhere in the National Forest.

So you're bringing a tent, then? Or do you mean sleeping in the car?

Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de SHAY).

Thank you. Never would have guessed.

The Goosenecks affords one of my clearest and earliest memories of solo traveling and was perhaps one of my most risky moves as a young 20-year old off doing her own thing. I decided to camp at the Viewpoint and was just staring off into this most amazing view and a single guy pulled up to do the same thing. He was friendly enough and said hi, we chatted for a few minutes and then we each minded our own business. It wasn’t until a few years later when I had my own kids that I thought back on that and realized how vulnerable I was that night.

Different times. Plus we all think we'll live forever when we're that age.

 

[juniorbugman]

Just reading about your future plans. You do have a lot on your plate.
I saw this picture today and I thought of you. I guess you made that decision.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love all your little known adventure places, cool sites that are off the beaten track. It sounds like fun and shouldn't be crowded.

Traveling north from there, the obvious next stop is Red Rock Canyon near Sedona. This may be the most beautiful spot on the planet. If it’s a hot day, we may take a plunge at Slide Rock- I need to remember to bring a trash bag to slide on!!

We went to Sedona twice and loved hiking in the canyon. Sedona itself had gotten a little too touristy for us, though, so we haven't returned. But it is very pretty there.

 

[Steppesister]

Certainly is. Sometimes I just sit and wonder 'wth was I thinking?'
But - as you said "Adventure is out there" and like Carl, I'm on my own.

I can so relate to this! I'd reached a place where my job had become a bit dead-end, I have very few friends here, and I need a new adventure. I too can relate to Carl. On another note, I was so sad to see Ed Asner passed away last week. What a loss.

I'm still adjusting to a completely different lifestyle - but I'm seriously starting to think about a trip to the 'House of Mouse' sometime in the next year or so.
We had a trip planned before my DH became ill. He wanted me to go without him, but I cancelled out after an incident, and I was very glad I did.
<sigh> I have tickets to use... (and VISA points).

I think I have a bit of adjusting ahead of me as well. Living with my folks in and of itself is going to quite a challenge! But I agree, you have a ripe situation for going and it might be time!

I'm not sure it's entirely rudeness, I think some of it's fear of the 'stranger'. Who knows what germs the damyankee might carry.
Also, one of the neighbours who does talk to me said "Don't worry about her - #21 doesn't talk to ANYBODY on the street, it's not just you "

That is sad that she can't say hi, but I am glad there are a few that have stepped up to be friendly and welcoming.

If 'brave' means forging ahead while devastated and terrified, then yeah.

That, my friend, is exactly what bravery IS!!

I wasn't going to have one if I stayed, either.

See? There ya go!!

But I just couldn't stay in 'our' house by myself, and it was too big for 1 person to take care of. It needed a new owner who could give it the care it deserved.
So I decided that it was time to move away. And we'd planned to eventually move south after he retired, so I just went with it, and started looking.
Something about this place I ended up in just said "This is where you need to be" while I was reseaching senior communities. Time will tell - but most of the people I've met are nice, and seem to be quite happy here.
Maybe I'll find some fellow Mouse-a-holics °0°

If you heard in your heart, "this is where you need to be" then you did the right thing. Moving is always an adjustment- our family went to Kazakhstan for 10 years, and it took a long, long time to find true, deep friendships. I can totally relate to your struggles and hope you feel more at home and happy soon! Just keep reaching out and being friendly and they will all warm up. Maybe join a club or faith group too? I think a lot of things here at least are open and running with precautions.

I didn't have any problem with PODS, they did a very good job with what they had.

THat's great to hear; mine is arriving in just a few hours!

It was the amateur clowns packing crew I had problems with.
Lack of communication, mis-interpreted instructions, and apparently not a -ing clue HOW to pack a container. Rope and moving blankets were not part of their technique. A lot of things marked for packing never even made it into the container
I originally had one of the national moving companies, who would pack, load, move and unpack. The PODS was a last-minute plan of desperation.

Yikes!! That sounds sooooo stressful! My guys are confirmed now and they'll load stuff starting Sunday evening or for sure Monday. EEK! I am very nervous about my stuff for sure! I want them to do a good job in a way that keeps it all unbroken!

Hopefully, it'll all work out. But unless, like me, you're leaving a lot behind, you should be able to get at least a crew to help shift and load.
That was (I think) part of my problems). The office assured me it was fine, and people did that 'all the time'. The parting words of the supervisor who came Wednesday afternoon to assess the job for staffing needs were "well - we'll see you Friday morning..."
The job was cancelled Thursday morning.
Trust meI scrambled - once I stopped crying...

Nope, it's all going with me for sure. Well, I have taken boatloads to the Goodwill, but it's all boxed and going to either Tucson or Bowling Green. (Greg and Marcia will haul my Tucson stuff there in January). If my guys cancel on me now, I'll be up $hitcreek for sure!

 

[Steppesister]

Lots of big changes to your plans but I think your right and I love your positive attitude.

I finally have a good outline of the itinerary and a printed copy along with the highlighted route in the atlas. Should really be a fun, gorgeous trip with loads of photo opportunities. I can't wait to get to taking some pix!!

Haven’t time to click on all the links in your last update just now ( school run beckons) but it sounds amazing and I love the photos you’ve put in there. I will be going back to read more but just wanted to wish you well with these last few days of packing up and getting on the road.

90% packed now with just a few loose items to throw in (or away) at the last minute. EEK!

I'll try very hard to put up the last couple of chapters of the route planning in the next day or so... It's quite a bit more sketchy as 1) I don't know the area past Arizona very well at ALL, and 2) I want to leave that later part more open in case we get behind- so no reservations or such yet.