'At Last'

[acfdexpo]

Hello ggwoman,

   As the father of a special needs child I want to thank you for your years of dedication an service to our children.  I am also a firefighter in Atlantic City NJ were we are fighting to keep our pensions.  Your thread has been very compelling reading to me.  I hope you enjoy the hell out of this new chapter in your life-you deserve it.

 

[ggwoman]

Hello ggwoman,

   As the father of a special needs child I want to thank you for your years of dedication an service to our children.  I am also a firefighter in Atlantic City NJ were we are fighting to keep our pensions.  Your thread has been very compelling reading to me.  I hope you enjoy the hell out of this new chapter in your life-you deserve it.

Let me thank you too, acfdexpo and add firefighters to my list of public servants mentioned earlier who aren't appreciated enough for what they do.  Dangerous work and unforgiving if a mistake or miscalculation is made.  Selfless people are the public servants and too busy doing their job to have time to fight the current corporate based system.  People forget and the young don't know, how the unions came about and unfortunately, they are under fire too.

I VERY much appreciate your words, so much that it makes me cry.   I have always fought for the weak, sick, injured and "different" among us and perhaps that attitude and forthrightness (read loudmouth and activist) has caused me trouble (having to go over my principals' heads on several occasions, argue with district supervisors and board of ed lawyers to get what is FAIR and RIGHT for a child and their parent(s) (a way to the graduation banquet and dance for a young teen in a wheelchair, a step program to inclusion for an intellectually challenged child who NEVER was left alone instead of suddenly throwing that child full-time, without support into a reg ed environment, just because the Feds say to do so now, speaking to teachers and children who do not understand a particular mute, intellectually challenged and autistic child's way of communication and finding a way to bridge and engage, counseling parents and children who are tired and hurt by our society...at all times of the day and night....the list is pretty endless) so thank you.  Because sometimes I have felt as alone and helpless as my families in this fight.  I have come to almost hate the education system as it stands now, on so many levels. They talk a good talk politically, but only seem to really do something when there is a lawsuit. For the most part, the DOE seems to brush wrongs under the rug like dirt.  I hate that callousness.  And try to find a good lawyer?  I know one, just one and he is very successful. He is also 70 now.  Kids need people, nature and real life pursuits, not computers, psychotropic drugs and genetic engineering (it's coming, soon).  That is the bottom line and I'm sticking with it.  Too bad the system is trying to get rid of older teachers.  There are thousands of them gone now over the past few years, concentrated it appears on those with 20-35 years of experience who have been suddenly let go with no notice, fired under false pretexts, or forced to resign, as the system moves on to a new wave of young unqualified replacements, many with only a few weeks of training.  I wonder what this society will be like in another ten years?

 

[ggwoman]

Add one thing to your list for when you get here:

Stop at a welcome center local to the National Forest land where you want to camp and ask for a copy of the latest
MVUM map - it stands for Motorized Vehicle Use Map. They're free btw.

I thought you could only get them at the rangers station and was pleasantly surprised to find that the visitor center had them as well.

They're usually behind the counter and you have to ask for them. It cuts down on the number of people who get them without full knowledge of what they are.

All the roads in the NF are marked on the map along with codes for their camping restrictions.

The only disappointment I had with the MVUM maps is that there is no topo references on them so it's really wise to use them in conjunction with Benchmark or Delorme maps for each state.

Which btw, you'll want  to have waiting for you when you arrive since you're planning on doing a bunch of travelling and using BLM and NF lands to camp on

Thanks for the MVUM pointer. I will definitely start collecting maps into a travel resource binder. Had to reread this a bit later to fully digest the info - lots of hard work and interruptions today. I will also check into the Benchmark and Delorme maps. WHich reminds me, my son said he had a gps for me with all the topo info and a bunch of other stuff already loaded onto it. And a back up camera which he said would come in handy when changing lanes, not to mention hooking up. Thanks!!

 

[ggwoman]

I rarely travel more than 250 miles a day and sometimes much less.
I wait till after morning rush hours and get off the road before afternoon rush hours , a much more enjoyable and relaxing drive is the result.

I will also go many many miles out of my way on the back roads to bypass the hectic life that inhabits all cities !
(I have found some incredible places while doing this as a bonus !!)

I will stop to check out anything that seems interesting or if the weather turns bad or just too much wind.

( Thinking "If I pass something cool ,,,what if I never get around to pass this way again ??) I will stop to at least take a quick look and sometimes might end up spending several days if something unexpectedly amazing turns up.

The nation is full of incredible things and I'm never in a hurry to get anywhere , anymore ........    

That is a promise I made to myself back when I was on tours and had to stick to the itinerary no matter what I might be passing by !!! (New Rule #1)

"The show must be priority" that ruled my life for so many years was a total drag but I really loved doing the job of my dreams too!

AND after a few years of that ,I realized I could sometimes leave a day or two early to relax a little and see a few things that I knew would be in my path.
Unless of course I was on a tour bus instead of my own vehicle...( I built my first truck camper to be able to do that as well as hating living in endless motels and eating endless "Road Meals" .... )

I did however allow myself to break the rule if , say , there was a line of tornadoes coming up behind me !!!! One day I went from Midland TX all the way to the Mississippi River non stop before I felt it was safe to stop  :s  

(Nothing is important enough to break this other rule of travel.)

As always , everybody take what you like and leave the rest ,,,YMMV ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and Arrrrrggggghhhhh me hearties YO-HO !

This sounds like a wise way to go. Except for wanting to be with my family before they leave, I don't have any desire either to hurry. Had enough of that and stupid deadlines to last 3 lifetimes. Why does everything designed by humans have to be so darn rigid? Humans are in general a sick species.

 

[vanman2300]

I hope everything works out well for you. This has been a very interesting thread to read. I believe you will find the downsizing to be a relief, the more stuff you have the more work and responsibility. I always ask myself before buying or acquiring if it is a need or a want...it stops me from cluttering up my life.

 

[ggwoman]

I hope everything works out well for you. This has been a very interesting thread to read.  I believe you will find the downsizing to be a relief, the more stuff you have the more work and responsibility.  I always ask myself before buying or acquiring if it is a need or a want...it stops me from cluttering up my life.

You are so very right about downsizing being a relief. I can finally see the end in sight now. Took another load to donate today. That leaves one more load to take away and only to pack the last of my things I want to either take or send to storage for a future cabin/cottage. The hardest thing to do now is to be patient while the house sells. But I will be gypsying, meeting the tribe, seeing and experiencing the wonders of Earth and enjoying freedom.

 

[cherterr]

You had me @
 " I disagree so deeply with the current propagandic thinking and power talking money and where it's talking this country. Thought I could fight it and change it once upon a time. Now I am only tired and disappointed.  I'm not alone." -

So I spent the last hour reading this entire thread. 

I admire your hard work and tenacity:  When I left my home I hired the local 'living estate sale lady' because I HATE moving.    All I had to do was take what I wanted, and get out of the way. :angel:   Ahh.. my kind of moving.

Best wishes to you on your travels and I hope to see you sometime, somewhere.  I'm pretty sure we are 'soul sisters'! 
  (Except for the moving thing.)

 

[ggwoman]

You had me @
 " I disagree so deeply with the current propagandic thinking and power talking money and where it's talking this country. Thought I could fight it and change it once upon a time. Now I am only tired and disappointed.  I'm not alone." -

So I spent the last hour reading this entire thread. 

I admire your hard work and tenacity:  When I left my home I hired the local 'living estate sale lady' because I HATE moving.    All I had to do was take what I wanted, and get out of the way. :angel:   Ahh.. my kind of moving.

Best wishes to you on your travels and I hope to see you sometime, somewhere.  I'm pretty sure we are 'soul sisters'! 
  (Except for the moving thing.)

Hey Cher,    Looking forward to meeting you too.  Enjoyed your blog, vlog, whatever they're calling them nowadays and can relate.  
It's not so much that I like moving, , especially after being dug in for so long, but since getting 'throttled' at eBay, and after taking some severe losses recently because of it, I decided to send the treasures to storage because.... I'm definitely going for a "Granny cabin" somewhere down the road too!!  

You know, it seems I've spent forever taking care of, educating, etc other peeps kids and didn't get much chance to enjoy my own kid and the grandkids.  Now, one of my grandboys is on his own and the other is almost grown, getting ready to start high school and already planning on attending uni in Germany and be an engineer.  My boy touched my heart  saying, when they get back from Europe, he hopes we all settle down closer together, have family time, take trips etc and so I can enjoy my great-grandkids. LOL  Seriously, it won't be long before the next generation arrives.   :heart:

Two more trips to the USPS to ship boxes and I'm calling it done.  I'm getting anxious to be out of here.  Setting up the animals in their new homes is still ongoing.  Two more hens to move (been setting, didn't want to disturb for a week in case of a hatch), an angora rabbit and her hutch and finally breaking down and moving the big outdoor kennel to the sanctuary for Thor's stay until Sept. He's normally a house dog so I  worry about him wondering where the heck we all are, why he's not with us and why does he have to stay in the kennel ALL the time?  He's such a great dog.  He's such a happy guy, always, since he was a pup  :exclamation: EVERYDAY is his birthday and Christmas rolled into one :exclamation:   It's going to be hard to be without him for three months.  Gave Kingsley a haircut down to his skin.  Scissored him because I already sent his clippers etc. ahead. WHo knows how long it'll be before next time? Now that night has fallen and the rains are starting, he wants his sweater on.  

It's been another big day, and even bigger one tomorrow.  List of to do's:  Move Bunny Luv, house pictures on Friday to prep for ie clean up and stage Hawaiian style, last packings, call to cut off the phone and computer, address/phone number changes to notify, and two trips to the USPS in Pahoa.  

Two weeks and a day now.  The truck has boarded onto the Mokihana cargo ship and starts out tomorrow or Th.  The cats are getting used to wearing harnesses and don't seem to mind at all.  Kingsley thinks it's hilarious the cats are wearing dog accessories  and keeps following them around and snickering. Time to prep the sky kennels.  

Don't know about the rest of you, but all of my animals have blown their coats in a unusually major way this spring.  I think it's going to be a really hot summer.

Civil Defense just announced that there are two new breakouts on Kilauea at Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent and you can see the glow tonight.  That means Pele's definitely out and about again.   Each lava flow traveled about a half mile today, both are upslope of my property and going opposite one another so on both sides. No doubt that this property will eventually be lava locked at the least.  Could get interesting real fast.  Funny thing, two months ago when I made up my mind to go on this new adventure, when I told my friend Pam I was leaving the islands for good, she said I'm glad".  Well, that's nice of you! Then she added on, that her hubs, retired county,  had been talking with the guys and that they thought we were in for another time of it with Pele, and since all the activity was on my side of the volcano, she was glad I was leaving so I wouldn't have to go through that again.  Prescient?  All I know is that so far things have gone very smoothly, serendiptously and in my experience that doesn't normally happen unless the Universe is taking control.  There are always bumps and hold ups especially with big lifechanging plans. But this is the Universe and besides....I don't believe in coincidence.

 

[ggwoman]

Red Letter Day.  Today is my "close of business" ie last day of work. Tomorrow I am formally retired from the rat race. Only 9 days left before I bid aloha oe to the islands. So much to wrap up in the next few days. Nervous, excited, overwhelmed if I think. SO no thinking, just get it done! lol  

I thought my to do list would get shorter, but instead it's gotten longer. :huh:

 

[Milk Hauler]

Red Letter Day.  Today is my "close of business" ie last day of work. Tomorrow I am formally retired from the rat race. Only 9 days left before I bid aloha oe to the islands. So much to wrap up in the next few days. Nervous, excited, overwhelmed if I think. SO no thinking, just get it done! lol  

I thought my to do list would get shorter, but instead it's gotten longer. :huh:

Good luck. I'm trying to figure out myself, how I will last 15 more yrs behind this wheel.

I'll be 56 then. Just as I get discouraged, I Iurk the forum and look for people who are really doing it. Its cool to see the ambition some of these people have here. If I could stomach the idea of living in a canvas tent, then I may semi retire at 45😎

I'll do what I have to do!

Keep doing your thing and posting, its the only thing keeping some of us from giving up on the dream of "flipping" the finger to the system.

LET FREEDOM REIN. [emoji12]

BTW... I was so motivated today from reading these threads, I changed my email address to

[email protected] [emoji23]

 

[masterplumber]

Hey ggwoman, I saw you mention Rampart Range Road. I'm not so far away so if you need anything when you get there, just send me a PM. Rampart Range is kind of an urban forest on the weekends, but there are still some good places to camp. I'm glad you're getting close to the jumping off point, although I'm sure it's scary at the same time. I wish you nothing but smooth sailing and an easy transition into your new life.

 

[ggwoman]

Hey ggwoman, I saw you mention Rampart Range Road. I'm not so far away so if you need anything when you get there, just send me a PM. Rampart Range is kind of an urban forest on the weekends, but there are still some good places to camp. I'm glad you're getting close to the jumping off point, although I'm sure it's scary at the same time. I wish you nothing but smooth sailing and an easy transition into your new life.

MP, Thanks so much for the offer.  I will be in very good hands when I finally get to RRR, as I plan to camp a mile or so above where my son lives.  Since 911 I've only seen him once due to multiple deployments and trainings over the years.  We would love to have you come visit or visa verse.  pm'd you.

 

[ggwoman]

Lunch with the girl friends today at my favorite restaurant, the ponds.  http://pondshilohi.com/index.html   Then we all rendevous at the house so they can take whatever they want of the furnishings, glassware and Hawaiiana stuff.  

Yesterday was  a long day.  Moved Thor's kennels and two more shippings of HH stuff for storage.  Only one left to go.  I hope. LOL
Today is last packings, tomorrow the dentist, a last goodwill run and moving the balance of furniture.  Friday, my angora rabbit goes to her new home.  Then just the dogs, cats and me in this place with me painting and prepping for renters.  

Mary Rose who runs the Rainbow Friends Sanctuary, http://www.rainbowfriends.org/  is so wonderful.  She said she would keep Thor with her instead of in an outdoor kennel situation.  With all there is to do and room to run, Thor will think he's at summer camp, until I get him in Sept. Thor has been my pup for 5 years now and one of the best dogs ever (the other is Kingsley)  Of course can't leave out the cats Stitch and Keki.  :heart:  I'm so glad they are all coming with me.  If I'm not crazy yet, give me 6 more months.

 

[ggwoman]

The furniture is mostly gone now. Last bits go to new owners this afternoon. Will place anything else left over by the side of the road with a FREE sign. There's not much and the house echos with each footstep. It's fun to play and run from one end of the house to the other with the dogs. Note to self: I like all this open space. Go Japanese. style.
Changed the house insurance to a rental and the property tax yesterday to be a non resident of HI. Nice that it will stay the same homeowner exemption until 2017 ($50.00 per year, yes, it's true.) By keeping the rent at $900 or less, I will then be eligible to keep an exemption for low rent and thus keep a low property tax.

Got the last of the vehicle insurance and registration bits set up in SD this morning. One last dental appointment today, finish the packing and mail off last of personal stuff today and tomorrow. Trying to take nothing on the plane except me, the animals and a few necessaries and papers in my handbag.

Things should stay fairly calm over the next few days, cleaning and painting, then one last whirlwind day to get Thor to "summer camp", close the PO box and sign over the Geo to her new owner.

This new life becomes more real with each passing day, but I imagine the last night and day here will feel unreal. The waiting is hard.

 

[rvpopeye]

It sounds like you've got almost all those ducks in a nice row !
Can't wait to see your posts from .......HERE !

 

[ggwoman]

26 hours of traveling with no lollygaggin'.  Left the house at 5 pm. Thursday 6/9. Got to Surprise AZ last night, friday at 7 pm/sundown. The truck did great mileage-wise, (24.8 mpg) with excellent power over the hills. No real mountains yet.  Love that posted 75 mph.  No problems except for trying to leave HI --- delays galore for airport arrivals, mechanical failure on my flight forced a  reroute to Hono to change planes, instead of a nonstop Hilo/LA, which caused a 3 hour delay and much worry trying to get a straight answer to be sure the animals got changed over too. Thank goodness I wasn't trying to catch a plane elsewhere.  Those 200+ folks ended up in a conga line at LAX trying to rebook flights.

Taxis in LA. What can I say.  :heart:  Got a ride first with a dude that charged me $19 for a 5 minute ride.  :dodgy:  Wanted to walk, only 20 minutes or so away and needed to stretch my legs after that flight, but unfortunately LA has more highways than sidewalks.  Happy to get the animals out of cargo though, so waved  him on from there with a dollar tip, and then, got a wonderful, mad Russian who took us in RECORD SPEED  to Long Beach for only $65. He said he'd never serviced that area before, usually working LAX.  Gave him twenty extra for superb handling of traffic and FAST driving through LA at morning rush hour. Felt like I was in a made for tv movie. LOL  Thanks Yuri! Will never forget.

At Long Beach, dealt with paperwork, got the truck, took her out of 4wd some young yahoo had put her in, (wondered WHY going in reverse was so hard, she was really digging in and squealing tires and jumping.  Finally saw the 4wd indicator lit up.   Glad it was nothing requiring a repair.  Then we hit the road @ 11:45. Crazy-ass pollution for hours getting out of LA area. Stinky, nasty air quality and not a bird to be seen for miles, just hours to get away from that.  I was very grateful that I found my way out without getting lost in Compton.   Thanks Google maps.  

It was soooo nice to hit the desert. How beautiful the peaks were.  It was like driving in a watercolor with layers of purple, gold, pink, orange and blue.  Wowie.  Stopped a lot to take short breaks to check on animals, stretch my legs and take in the feel  of the place.  My breathing has gotten much, much better over the last day already. (That vog on the BI can kill you and I happen to be very sensitive to the SO2 levels which have been quite high the last few years.) The last 4 hours driving here were hard, eyes closing etc. despite best efforts, but stops every 30 minutes helped a lot and splashing water.  

I have to say, the animals (2 cats and a poodle) were champs through it all. The cats took to their harnesses, and crates ....  and held their business until we hit the giant cat box (aka desert).  Both decided to go under the truck (must have felt safer there) as there were large black birds, crows I believe as big as they are in the vicinity (one landed fearlessly about 20 feet from us) and I guess thecats instinctively knew they were prey.

The absolute river of trucks transporting goods on the interstates surprised me.  I took breaks on side roads in the vicinity where they were parked catching zz's.  Why? Cause I felt safe there.   I've realized on this highway journey,  these are an amazing group of men and women who really keep this nation supported. They are super professional road warriors and I'm not sure how many peeps understand this delicate and highly important structure which holds the fabric of this nation together.  Thanks to all you truck drivers!

So glad to make it to the Comfort Inn in Surprise.  We're here for a few days getting outfitted. Highly rec this place if in need for a break from the road.  Animals are accepted, the place is super comfy, clean with nice amenities for a very reasonable price and a huge free breakfast too. Instead of shoyu packets, I am sure the picante sauce packets will be ubiquitous now.  
Ok, gotta run, need to confirm the tow package and tranny cooler to be  put on the truck Monday, get an atlas, and get some household stuff for me and the animals.  

Gosh it feels great to be back in the USA, even if feeling a little displaced, timezone challenged and lightheaded at the mo   Grateful for a much needed change in lifestyle.  Grateful for safe and smooth passage through the challenges.eeeeeee441`<<<< Keki just decided to add her two bits about that.  And we all thank God for gorgeous sunny weather with cool breezes and temps under 90.  That was the part I was most afraid of.  Bought cold water bottles to leave with the cats inside their crates during travel and plenty of check ups.  The AC will get a jot of coolant before leaving Surprise.

 

[rvpopeye]

Well welcome back to the mainland GG !
Glad you and the furry ones made it with minimal problems.
I never want to go back anywhere near LA ever !
That taxi ride would have made me lose it , traffic anxiety , hmmmm I think it started when I was THERE !!!

Those crows were Ravens , don't underestimate them !
The fur kids were right......

We're gonna need some pics of the trip ! ????

 

[cherterr]

YAY!! You made it!

 

[ggwoman]

Well welcome back to the mainland GG !
Glad you and the furry ones made it with minimal problems.
I never want to go back anywhere near LA ever !
That taxi ride would have made me lose it , traffic anxiety , hmmmm I think it started when I was THERE !!!

Those crows were Ravens , don't underestimate them !
The fur kids were right......

We're gonna need some pics of the trip ! ????

Traffic anxiety? oh yeah. that's putting it mildly.  My first time driving in LA.  I had that turn by turn google map direction paper clutched in my hand! Was so lucky to be driving mid day at that point. lol  Unfortunately I have to go back there in Sept. to pick up Thor from air cargo. But hopefully I'll be more of road warrior by then and will leave the little ones behind safe at camp.

I just looked up ravens and yep, those fearless birds were definitely ravens.  They seem to be everywhere and especially haunt the roadside rests and a fruit stand I stopped at, anywhere there is human activity.   Later down the road, I watched them go directly to the trash and pull a piece of leftover bread crust out and eat it minutes after I put it in the trashcan.  Very intelligent. And WATCHING, always watching.

I shipped my camera, it's waiting for me in CO, so unfortunately no pictures for the beginning of this sojourn.  But I sure plan to go back and explore, draw and paint as well as take photos.  The colors are endless out here.  It was so beautiful, it touched me to the point of tears and song.  I'm glad animals never judge, just wonder at and appreciate their complex human.   :shy:

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome back! Sounds like a very hectic trip that went much better than could be expected! Hope the rest of it goes just as well. Thanks for the update!