ggwoman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2015
- Messages
- 179
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Life turns on a dime, and so I find myself making drastic life changes and more quickly than anticipated. I'm a turmoil of emotions right now: exhilarated, filled with trepidation, a sense of awe, and more butterflies in my stomach than I have felt in decades. My desire to change my life and travel has been granted by the universe. More likely is that I am just so sick of the rat race that if I don't make a change now, I feel I will go mad. I'm one of those who has tried to do the "right" thing according to our society ie went into debt to get a degree, worked 35 years in my profession, bought a house etc., but I have always had a gypsy spirit too. It has been crushed, not obliterated, but crushed to the point I hardly know who I am anymore. My spirit cries out for Freedom, for sanity, for peace. I need the mountains, plains, forests, streams, open blue skies, thunderstorms. I need the wonder of Nature in all Her many ways. I think, I hope that some of you may understand.
Now I find myself about to make the big move, to jump off the cliff ready or not. The good: I have faith in myself and the Universe, my debts are paid in full, including my truck. I found a nice trailer (turn-key) in AZ which will be paid for in a another month, I put in my separation papers at work (can anyone say AMEN!, such a feeling of relief, bought my plane ticket and am downsizing and getting the house ready to sell. June 9 is D-day. The only sad thing is that I will have to place my beloved Husky-Malamute, Thor, into another's loving, but temporary home for the next 8 months. I will not feel as safe in the world without him. However, my two cats and Kingsley, the toy poodle will be traveling with me as we start our journey. And this is where it gets tricky and why Thor has to wait.
After being away from the mainland for decades, living on Pacific islands and in Hawaii I can't hardley remember the mainland anymore. My son and his family, who support me 1000%, are leaving for a 3 year stint in Germany this July (Army) and my sis in Oregon is unable to help from so far away. I am scared of LA. I was raised in N. California, in the country, a very different place.
I'm taking the red eye to LAX, arriving at 5 am and then need to find a way to Long Beach to pick up my truck at Matson at 8am. It's 35 minutes away (according to Google maps) but, so far car rentals are out as I cannot return the vehicle, (I need one of those self-driving cars about now) a pet taxi quoted me $275 to take us and that seems so extreme. I'm not rich by any means. I don't want to try moving three crates and two bags and myself by shuttle and try to walk it. Most shipyards aren't in the best parts of town. I am just hoping there will be a nice taxi to take us there for $80-100. I can't think of any other way. This is a costly move, even if I am not shipping any household things.
Once we have the truck and find our way out of the city, I plan on driving 6-7 hours straight to the Phoenix area, I believe it's on I-10? I'm concerned it will be too hot for the animals. Can only go by the historical temperature data. Will AC and bags of ice be enough to keep them safe? Where could we find a safe rest stop, or some shade and a little privacy to rest and refresh? This is going to be a 21 hour long day and I'm no spring chicken and they will need some down time, food, water, exercise etc. I have made motel reservations near Phoenix, so we will be fine once we get there. I will pick up the trailer the next day. The kind lady who is selling it to me will go over the systems and then I will go north to CO to see my Son and family before they go.
I lived in a very simple and primitive 15' trailer and a Ford cargo van set up before, it's just been so long. Now I want my internet and and a few comforts. I want to go solar. I'll need to live as cheaply and independently as possible for a year. Although I have an emergency fund, income will be 1/4 of my current. I need to work and save $ for Thor's travels. I pray my house sells quickly. I don't care about a profit, just to break even would be fine. If not, I guess I will become a reluctant landlady and let a property manager take care of business. If that mortgage can be gone, we will be fine living on a small pension. Next year will be even better - will have my ss too.
Any advice and support, encouragement, ideas etc will be very appreciated at this juncture. I'm not afraid, just don't feel like I know what options may be available in the LAX->Matson ordeal and keeping my fur kids safe and happy.
I've learned a lot from reading the boards. That's why even though I'm very shy, I feel that maybe someone here will know something I don't that may help us out. If you've read this far, thanks for 'listening',
Gretchen
Now I find myself about to make the big move, to jump off the cliff ready or not. The good: I have faith in myself and the Universe, my debts are paid in full, including my truck. I found a nice trailer (turn-key) in AZ which will be paid for in a another month, I put in my separation papers at work (can anyone say AMEN!, such a feeling of relief, bought my plane ticket and am downsizing and getting the house ready to sell. June 9 is D-day. The only sad thing is that I will have to place my beloved Husky-Malamute, Thor, into another's loving, but temporary home for the next 8 months. I will not feel as safe in the world without him. However, my two cats and Kingsley, the toy poodle will be traveling with me as we start our journey. And this is where it gets tricky and why Thor has to wait.
After being away from the mainland for decades, living on Pacific islands and in Hawaii I can't hardley remember the mainland anymore. My son and his family, who support me 1000%, are leaving for a 3 year stint in Germany this July (Army) and my sis in Oregon is unable to help from so far away. I am scared of LA. I was raised in N. California, in the country, a very different place.
I'm taking the red eye to LAX, arriving at 5 am and then need to find a way to Long Beach to pick up my truck at Matson at 8am. It's 35 minutes away (according to Google maps) but, so far car rentals are out as I cannot return the vehicle, (I need one of those self-driving cars about now) a pet taxi quoted me $275 to take us and that seems so extreme. I'm not rich by any means. I don't want to try moving three crates and two bags and myself by shuttle and try to walk it. Most shipyards aren't in the best parts of town. I am just hoping there will be a nice taxi to take us there for $80-100. I can't think of any other way. This is a costly move, even if I am not shipping any household things.
Once we have the truck and find our way out of the city, I plan on driving 6-7 hours straight to the Phoenix area, I believe it's on I-10? I'm concerned it will be too hot for the animals. Can only go by the historical temperature data. Will AC and bags of ice be enough to keep them safe? Where could we find a safe rest stop, or some shade and a little privacy to rest and refresh? This is going to be a 21 hour long day and I'm no spring chicken and they will need some down time, food, water, exercise etc. I have made motel reservations near Phoenix, so we will be fine once we get there. I will pick up the trailer the next day. The kind lady who is selling it to me will go over the systems and then I will go north to CO to see my Son and family before they go.
I lived in a very simple and primitive 15' trailer and a Ford cargo van set up before, it's just been so long. Now I want my internet and and a few comforts. I want to go solar. I'll need to live as cheaply and independently as possible for a year. Although I have an emergency fund, income will be 1/4 of my current. I need to work and save $ for Thor's travels. I pray my house sells quickly. I don't care about a profit, just to break even would be fine. If not, I guess I will become a reluctant landlady and let a property manager take care of business. If that mortgage can be gone, we will be fine living on a small pension. Next year will be even better - will have my ss too.
Any advice and support, encouragement, ideas etc will be very appreciated at this juncture. I'm not afraid, just don't feel like I know what options may be available in the LAX->Matson ordeal and keeping my fur kids safe and happy.
I've learned a lot from reading the boards. That's why even though I'm very shy, I feel that maybe someone here will know something I don't that may help us out. If you've read this far, thanks for 'listening',
Gretchen
i started in this way of life by needing to leave a relationship also.smart to post and have people help problem solve. On phone can't type much now, but wanted to tell u my heart goes out to. U are right sometimes the universe throws us out of the nest
