Week 27 July 1-7

The MOVE

Our "stuff" was on its way to Richmond on the 28th of June.  Our house was pretty much empty and we were staying at Mom's.  Our goal was to spend a few days with our family and relax, but there was still a lot to do.  I think I was at the house in Belding every day before we left.  I don't think it was so much that there was a lot to do, but rather hard for me to leave the house empty, entrusting it to property manager to rent for me.  Regardless, the house looked great when we left, and I trust our property manager.

We did get to spend at least a couple of days by the pool, and had firewords on the 3rd.  We spent the 4th with the Van Oost family at mom's and put the finishing touches on packing that evening.  Our plan was to head out bright and early on the 5th, anticipating a 12-14 hr drive.

Early on the 5th, we headed out.  There was a storm that night that had a number of trees down.  We made a quick stop at the cemetary in Stanton and again in Sheridan, then we were on our way.  We really didn't plan a route, just trusted the GPS.  I was driving the Trailblazer hauling a U-haul trailer, while Jenny followed in the car.

Our route took us through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and into Virginia from the north (DC area).  It took us all of 15 hours.  Again, we could have planned better.  We did have a number of bathroom and gas stops that were not really spaced well.  The drive was long and hot.  It was stressful hauling the trailer and limited to 55 mph for most of the trip. 

By the time we got to Virginia, we were all ready to be done driving, but had about 2 hours to go.  We pulled into Richmond in the dark.  Although we went by downtown, you couldn't really seem much of that or the James River.

We spent the first night in a hotel.  Then next morning, I went to the Property Manager's office a picked up the keys for our new home in Richmond....we actually (Midlothian).  We arrived at the new place on Friday morning (July 6th.)  Our pod showed up on Saturday the 7th.  It was terribly and unseasonally hot that weekend.  On Sunday, the thermometer read 108 degrees.  Welcome to the south. 

With so much to do, and so much unknown, it hardly seems like we are living here.  It seems more at this time, that we are on vacation.