An Adventure in Moving

We're home! We arrived Monday around 3:30pm. The weather was beautiful (it still is) - sunshine, leaves are beginning to bud on the trees, green grass, and spring is in the Pacific Northwest. It doesn't rain all of the time! I returned the trailer yesterday (Tuesday) and the U-Haul in Kirkland was very helpful and accomodating. There were no problems and they refunded some of my money. However, the manager initially wasn't going to refund my money for the wiring harness that U-Haul had installed when we first received the trailer. He said he couldn't sell it because it was in the wrong package. I told him in no uncertain terms that was U-Haul's problem, not mine, and it was a "little" impractical for me to return it to the U-Haul in Virginia. He backed off and became very accomodating. If you are renting from U-Haul I recommend you use the dealers in Kirkland, WA, and Newington, VA. They are very good in contrast to some of the other dealers!

We have been unpacking and I realize I should have listened to Leslie. She kept telling me to get rid of my stuff. If I had done that in Virginia life would be much easier in Washington! I think I'll be spending the next month or two going through all of my clothes, things, etc. and downsizing! I thought I brought back a few extra books. However, I brought back more than a "few extra" of everything - clothes, books, office supplies, CDs, DVDs, .....!!!!! The unpacking and downsizing is going to be a very long process for me!

We'll continue to unpack and start to get ready for the Memorial Service for Leslie's Mom which on on Saturday, March 27, on Whidbey Island. We have relatives coming from out of town including Leslie's cousin, Elizabeth, and daughters, Paola and Anna, from Rome and London. Our daughter, Kristen, is in London this week on business and returns Friday night. I hope her plane is on time. She flew British Airways which is on strike so returning should be exciting!

We drove 3,040.5 miles from our condo in Alexandria, VA, to our home in Woodinville, WA. I know we used a lot of fuel at $2.58 - $3.09 a gallon but I'll tally it up for the tax lady and write it off my taxes next year! We drove in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. We were next to several states and could have made side trips to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kansas, and Colorado. While I think it's really neat to say you have driven in a state Leslie is not impressed so we didn't do that! We drove through the capitol cities of West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho and started our trip next to our Nation's Capitol, Washington DC! Overall we had a nice trip and good adventure. The "adventure" will continue until everything is unpacked and I have downsized! Our return to the Pacific Northwest has a bittersweet ending. It is really nice to be in the Pacific Northwest and end our "bi-coastal" living. I will no longer feel like a guest in our Woodinville home where we have lived since 1983 and Leslie won't have to pack and repack every few months to fly to the East coast. We will be able to spend more time with our family and Pacific Northwest friends. It is sad, however, to be leaving really special friends in Virginia and Maryland. The past 5 1/2 years in Quantico began as "adventure". When I took the job I told Leslie to think of this as a "Big Adventure". However, the "Big Adventure" became more than that. We discovered the beauty, history, and charm of Virginia and the east coast. We enjoyed the opportunity to visit many states and cities in the east, see historical sites, and learn more about the history of our Nation. Most importantly however we discovered the beauty of the people. We met and made friends with some of the nicest, caring, and most generous people we will ever meet! We value these friendships and hope to keep them for many years to come. I began and ended my full time work career in Quantico and am very happy I was able to end it in such a great job. I had the opportunity to work with outstanding, professional Marines, soldiers, sailors, and contractors who are truly America's finest citizens. I am honored that I was part of a team who trained our operating forces and made a difference in the defense of our Nation. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. May each of you have "fair winds and following seas"! Semper Fidelis!

The Oregon Trail

We've been following the Oregon Trail and the California Trail since Nebraska and yesterday made it to Pendleton, Oregon. This is where the Pendleton Woolen Mills is located and is very close to Washington state. We had a good day - drove 600 miles, the temperatures ranged from 18 - 65 degrees, finished one book, Winter Garden, and started another, The Mission Song. When we started listening to The Mission Song Leslie said, "I've read that one too!". By the end of our trip we will have listened to four books two of which Leslie has read!! Oh well, we'll do better on our next trip. Of course I really doubt our next trip will be driving across the country pulling a U-Haul trailer but then one never knows what we might do in retirement! We drove through Utah and I thought about the outstanding skiing at those wonderful ski areas! http://www.skiutah.com/winter/index.html When we reached Twin Fall, ID, Leslie said this is where you turn off to go to Sun Valley and shortly afterwards we saw a sign: Sun Valley 95 miles! http://www.sunvalley.com/SunValley/Index.aspx That's OK because the next big ski area we'll see is Snoqualmie Summit http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/ but that's the local area and not quite as exciting. McDonalds performed very well today - quick and accurate. The knew what they were doing. So far we have traveled 2,745 miles and have 291 miles to go according to Bing maps. Bing maps says the drive will take 4 hours but with the trailer I think about 6 hours. We should be home around 2:30pm today! Once we arrive at home I have to back the U-Haul up a long uphill driveway. That will be interesting. I don't think you want to be around John and Leslie as she is giving me helpful hints on how to back up the trailer and the trailer will not be cooperating with either of us!!! Once it's in front of the garage I'll open a beer and watch Leslie unload the trailer!!! If you think that will happen then I have a couple of items I would like to sell to you! The last leg starts today and it's shorter!

The WWT!

Saturday we experienced the Wyoming Wind Tunnel! Actually it started in Sidney, Nebraska and the wind blew 30+ mph from Sidney, NE to Evanston, WY where we spent the night. But we are on the western border of Wyoming and ready to descend into Utah and Idaho. Of course had we gone through Billings I could have skied in 18" of fresh, dry, Rocky Mountain powder snow at Red Lodge!! That would have made Leslie happy?!-not! I could also make a detour to Alta or one of the Utah ski areas but 40 years of marriage tells me I should just keep driving and ski another time! The roads were much better yesterday with only a few slick spots. The day started very cold - about 8 degrees - and eventually warmed into the low 40's. I think today and tomorrow are going to be much warmer. But I also thought it would never snow on our trip across country because it is March and I could make a lot of money buying a condo in Virginia in 2005!!!! We're "reading" our third book and will start the fourth book today. We really recommend listening to the audio books.

The WWT seems to have attracted about 5,000 trucks yesterday. Ten or fifteen trucks would pass us and finally a lonely car. One truck which had wide load signs and must have been the equivalent in length of two tractor trailer semis passed us twice! He seemed to be clueless regarding how big his load was! I-80 is the western equivalent of I-81. Truckers must be attracted to Interstate highways in the 80's!

I feel at home in Wyoming. We have been experiencing the big sky country and wide open spaces just like Montana. When we went to dinner last night dress up clothing for men included Levis and a baseball cap! I like that! I think there are more pickups than cars in Wyoming - not counting the 5000 trucks on I-80! Seeing the Rocky Mountains with all of the snow was a magnificent sight. These are real mountains!

We have had some unique dining experiences on our trip. Last Sunday in West Virginia we ate at DJ's Diner. It was a West Virginia upscale restaurant where you could buy a steak dinner for $7.99! You can also buy Budweiser beer but no other alcohol. (An aside is that driving through WV the next day it looks like the most popular home is a used , single-wide mobile home next to the freeway. They are generally landscaped with old cars, lawnmowers, and debris! It's quite impressive when you realize some of those homes are probably worth $2000 - $3000!!!) We had fried green tomatoes and hush puppies in Louisville and really liked the fried green tomatoes! When we stayed with Broge and Nancy it was a culinary feast with steak and ribs. If you want ribs to die for just visit Broge and Nancy!! In Sidney we discovered Perkins and the senior rate so I'll think we'll do more of that. The last couple of nights it's just been steak and more steak but I'm about to be cut off! Since we've only seen two Starbucks on the trip we have been getting espresso at McDonalds. Once they get the order correct it's a good drink but you have to tell them 3-4 times what you want and they still have a hard time understanding. We have a hard time understanding too since everything at McDonalds is automatic and idiot proof!! My Italian cousin, Jeffrey, would be impressed with McDonalds espresso!!! We drank all of the great Virginia wine so now it's other wine but we're still drinking it in the Virginia wine glasses.

We're off today for Utah, Idaho, and hopefully, Oregon and then home tomorrow!

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

The Weather Outside is Frightful, but the snow is so delightful......

Issued by The National Weather Service
Cheyenne, WY
5:01 am MDT, Fri., Mar. 19, 2010

... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON.

* TIMING... THROUGH 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON.

* TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 5 TO 8 INCHES AT LOWER ELEVATIONS. 9 TO 15 INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS.

* WINDS/VISIBILITIES... NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SLIGHTLY STRONGER WINDS AT SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WILL OCCUR ACROSS THE SOUTHERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE. VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE LESS THAN ONE-HALF MILE IN FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW.

* IMPACTS... HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH AREAS OF DRIFTING SNOW WILL CREATE TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.

WE ARE TRAVELING ON I-80 WEST!

Rawlins - As of Mar. 19, 2010 08:26am:

I-80 between Exit 187; Creston Junction and Rawlins: Slick with Snowfall, Blowing Snow, Limited Visibility

I-80 between Rawlins and Walcott Junction: Road Closed

Elk Mountain - As of Mar. 19, 2010 08:26am:

I-80 between Walcott Junction and Elk Mountain: Road Closed

I-80 between Elk Mountain and Exit 267: Road Closed

Arlington - As of Mar. 19, 2010 08:26am:

I-80 between Exit 267 and Arlington: Road Closed

I-80 between Arlington and the Carbon/Albany County line: Road Closed

Laramie - As of Mar. 19, 2010 08:26am:

I-80 between the Carbon/Albany County line and Laramie: Road Closed

I-80 between Laramie and Happy Jack Summit Interchange: Slick with Snowfall, Blowing Snow

The "Black Cloud" is still hanging over us. Once again Murphy's Law is alive and well. We left Kansas City yesterday (Thursday) and drove to Sidney, NE. http://www.sidney-nebraska.com/. The weather was sunny and warm - the temperature on the car thermometer was 71 degrees. Leslie bought an espresso in the afternoon and the lady told her there was a storm moving in. Broge told me that too but he said Denver was getting the storm. With my analytical mind I thought no problem - we're not going to Denver. I didn't connect the dots - we're going through Cheyenne and southern Wyoming which is only 100 miles north of Denver! John, don't you think the snow might come there too?!!! Duh? Leslie and I have decided we would really like to spend Friday in Sidney, Nebraska! It should be exciting. We're next to a Wall Mart so we can walk through there, visit some of the fast food restaurants, and enjoy the ambiance and luxury of Days Inn (they have a hot tub, swimming pool, and free breakfast)! The good news is we have warm, winter clothing so we are prepared. The bad news is the warm, winter clothing is packed in the bowels of the U-Haul!!

We found a volunteer opportunity in Iowa at the Visitor Center in SW Iowa. A nice couple who were volunteering told us about it. I know we would be really effective even though we had never been to Iowa until yesterday, were only in the state about 20 minutes, and only drove through a 20 mile section!!!

On our trip yesterday we did see Canadian snow geese flying north in their "V" formation. It was a phenomenal sight. We also saw a large number of hawks and lots of roadkill. As we approached Sidney we saw several giant wind turbines. As we left our car in Sidney we were greeted by a 25+ mph wind so understand why there are wind turbines in Sidney. Please note this is Sidney, Nebraska, not Sydney, Australia. We've been to Sydney, Australia too but not pulling a U-Haul from Virginia!!! We are getting into the western US terrain. Western Nebraska is like western Washington and Montana - lots of land and no trees!!

We have also been listening to books on tape. Renee' O'Brien got me started on listening to books. I told Leslie let's buy a couple of books on tape (actually on CDs) so we picked Memorial Day by Vince Flynn and Dear John by Nicolas Sparks. We both enjoyed the Vince Flynn book and started Dear John. About 3 minutes into the book Leslie said, "Oh, I've read this book!" Of all the books we could have selected we selected a book she had read!!!! Leslie was able to "read" it twice. Renee' is right. If you get a good book you sometimes drive farther so you can hear the next chapter. We have one more book - Mission Song.

Leslie continues to help me with the driving - not actually driving but coaching my driving, providing directions, and an occasional loud cry of fright ("Watch Out"!). We were on our Kansas City driving tour which was quite exciting. We visited Wal Mart and Starbucks in Kansas City!! Travel with John and Leslie and you will see some unique sights!!! As I turned into the wrong entrance to the mall Leslie had purposely decided not to give me directions. That made me realize I should really appreciate her directions and always follow them. I tried harder yesterday! Because of the stress of my driving and Leslie clenching her teeth she broke a tooth. She has a dental appointment next Wednesday!

Hopefully, we'll be on the road tomorrow after our exciting day today in Sidney. It will be difficult deciding which sights to see today! Should we spend half the day going to Wal Mart, walk in 25 degree temperatures with wind, watch TV, or read my free brochures about Nebraska?!!

So far we have travelled 1,153 miles from Alexandria to Kansas City and are keeping Exxon in business since we're getting 13 mpg. It certainly makes one feel good knowing they are helping a struggling company like Exxon!!?? I think we have about 2000 miles to go but we'll deal with that tomorrow (Thursday).

It's day #4 and we're taking a break with USMC friends, Broge and Nancy Miner. Broge and I worked together at WES-47 and VMAQ-4 and he was the deputy at MOBCOM. Yesterday we drove 540+ miles and made really good time. I decided since I was getting such lousy gas mileage we might as well drive faster. Going 65 mph as opposed to 45 - 55 mph makes a big difference! We made it through southern Indiana, Illinois, St. Louis, and Missouri and are now with Broge and Nancy who leave near the Kansas City airport. However, the "Check Engine" light came on about 50 miles from KC! Today I took the car (with the trailer) to a mechanic to get the light checked. He told me I would have to unhook the trailer before he could work on it. That is something I didn't want to do based on my experience last Friday and Saturday! I was looking for another place to take the car and noticed the "Check Engine" light went off! Good news! So instead of finding another mechanic I found a Starbucks, bought cappuccinos for Leslie and me, and we are enjoying our morning caffeine fix! If the light comes on I'll deal with it then!

Broge and Nancy have a beautiful house and deer visit them in the evening.

Yesterday, when we started the weather was cloudy and the temperature in the low 40's. By the time we were in Illinois and eastern Missouri, the sun came out and the temperature was in the upper 50's - really nice weather. Western Missouri was foggy and cooler. Today it's just cold, cloudy, and a drizzle. Guess the weather is preparing us for the Seattle "sunshine"!

On another note we did sell our condo. If you want real estate investment advice two individuals you probably shouldn't ask are John and Leslie - unless you want advice on how to buy high and sell low! We had the closing last Friday, March 12 along with the car repair! The closing was scheduled for 3:00pm but kept having to be rescheduled. It seems that the lender does business at the last minute, i.e. thinks about lending money to the buyer about 4 hours before the closing and then comes up with several issues that could prevent the closing. The final issue was the person carrying all of the paperwork went to the wrong office (which was a considerable distance away) and we did not do closing until 5:30pm. Then we went to a dinner party people at AKW were having for us so everything was at the last minute! However, the condo closed, it has a new owner, we are leaving with fond memories and mixed emotions (it's a bittersweet time), and returning to Seattle.

Hopefully the weather will remain cooperative. Our plan tomorrow is to drive north into Iowa and then across Nebraska and Wyoming. After checking Google maps I think we'll make it somewhere into Nebraska tomorrow. We seem to start around 8am and stop around 5:30pm which seems like a good thing, especially if you're retired. In the meantime we're enjoying the hospitality of Broge and Nancy eating Kansas City steaks and ribs!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. Enjoy a Guinness or Baileys!

John and Leslie

The U-Haul Saga

This is out of order but on Saturday morning I went to hook up the trailer to the car. It started raining Friday night and while we were hooking up the trailer Murphy's Law was alive and well - it was raining about as hard as it could rain and when it rains in Virginia the water really comes down! We finally were able to hook up the trailer but when I tested the lights I had the same problem. Since there is a U-Haul next door to us I thought they could solve the problem. However, they told us we would have to call the U-Haul Roadside Assistance. We called Roadside Assistance and about 45 minutes later they arrived. I thought GREAT - our problem is solved. All they did is tell us our trailer lights worked, the problem was with my car, and they couldn't do anything. Hope we don't have any flat tires!! Not sure how helpful they will be then!! Roadside Assistance told us to take it to the U-Haul Center in Newington. We did that - arrived around noon and at 4:30 they figured out the problem was that we had the wrong wiring harness and to return on Sunday and they would fix it. In fairness to them, Newington U-Haul was the only one who really helped us out! The rest is history. Had a another great night at AKW (our old condo), good wine, and a great meal from Ric and Pete.