burning koala

Well, we are finally starting off on our trip to Sydney. Angela and I powered through the last minute packing and cleaning up last Thursday night to get ready for the closing on Friday morning. Simon was nice enough to let us stay with him, and a Saint for staying up ’till 12:30 because we were so behind in getting the U-Haul loaded and the house emptied. But Friday morning we were up in time to have breakfast at Pamela’s and then go to the closing next door.

It all went very smoothly and I think it was an exciting time for both Angela and I, as well as Louis and Claude who bought the house. It felt great being able to pass on the house that we loved so much to another couple who find it just as incredible. It’s such a personal sale, giving up your house. You always want it to go to someone who will appreciate it as much as you did.

And we were lucky enough to be able to see Simon, Sue, Peggy and Jay just before they went off to Patti and Wally’s wedding.

Angela, Sue, Simon, Jay, and Peggy

We spoke with Angela’s Dad before we left and he wasn’t sure we could get more than the Pittsburgh trade-in value for the Audi in Tampa. So instead of starting our trip right after the closing, we attempted to sell the car instead. Well, a trip to Bloomfield and several calls to Audi dealers, we got zero bites. Then it was too late to get on the road. Taking advantage of Simon’s hospitality, and the fact that he wasn’t there to say no, we stayed another night. Good thing too, as we finally got some much need rest. So an early start and we were on our way to Tampa.

The drive went fairly well, especially in the beginning, and we were in Savanah before we new it. Simon left us his walkie-talkies, which made our caravan that much more easy (thanks again, Simon).

When we reached Georgia relatively quickly and with a lot of light left, we made the call to try and get to Jacksonville, FL. Two shakes later we were there and feeling well enough to push on to Tampa. The remaining distance was like 4 inches on the map. How far could it be?

Really far, it turns out. But we made it to Tampa at about 3:30 in the morning. Just prior, we stopped and had something to eat, trucker style.

All in all, it took about 20.5 hours to do the trip and I will never do that again (I said that last time I drove all the way to Florida in one shot). The benefit was that we didn’t have to leave the U-Haul out in front of some motel that night, which is like telling every robber in town “Here, here are all my things all pack up nice. Just take the truck…”.

We slept in on Sunday and then that afternoon went to put everything in storage. Unfortunately when you reserve a space at the U-Haul storage center – by credit card, mind you – you haven’t actually insured getting anything. We were told on arrival that the facility didn’t have any rooms left. I asked what my reservation was reserving, exactly and was told that it will hold a room if they have any that are not given away before you arrive. But, that’s just like me coming in off the street and asking if you have anything open, I protested. He did not see the inconsistency. So they booked us at a place 6 miles out of our way instead. I had the guy actually call ahead and confirm they were holding our 10×10, 2nd floor, climate controlled space. He said yes and we were off. Once we got there we were informed that there were no 10×10 spaces left, but we could get 2 5×10′s next to each other. What a nightmare. Long story a little shorter, we took the spaces and finished the move. I will state right now that I do not recommend anyone move anything in FL during the summer. I lost 300 hundred pounds in water weigh alone. Not an exaggeration.

Angela and Mom

Still, we made it. Were here and in one piece (each) and excited to spend some time with Angela’s folks and try to enjoy not melting in the sweltering heat that is called Tampa.