I was bound to learn a thing or two during a cross-country
move at age 30. I learned a few things when I did the move the first time at
age 22, so it was only logical that I would take away a few nuggets from my
journey home to make me a wiser individual.
It is also extremely hard to list just five takeaways from
this monstrous adventure. Moving sucks regardless of whether you are moving a
block away, or across the country, or like friends of ours, across the world (I
can’t even imagine that and they had two kids!). What I learned during my
adventure, though, assures me that I am stronger, a better juggler and more
organized than even I imagined.
Without further ado, my top five list!
5. Dogs take up a lot of valuable vehicle
space. At first, I thought I would have a decent amount of space in my car
to bring certain things with me. Movers were packing and hauling the majority
of our belongings, but hubby and I would take the rest in our respective
vehicles, on our individual trips. But two dogs (50 and 60-pound dogs) need at
least a little space, water bowls, food bowl and food, a maybe a chew toy since
the drive is really, really dull for them. I love about 30% of the space in my
car to my dogs. And how did they thank me? By releasing some of their worst
silent but deadlies ever while we were in a small space.
4. You truly find out
who your friends are. I expected to spend time saying goodbye to people but
some friends really surprised me; in a good way. There were those that didn't
really have time to say goodbye, and though it was sad, it was OK. Then there
were those friends that wanted to say goodbye a few times and check in and make
sure you were OK, and stop by and help pack your TV. Those are the friends that
made me happy and sad at the same time. It was hard to leave these special friends,
but felt so good to know we had built those relationships.
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| This beautiful view is Northern Arizona and the beautiful vistas were over shortly after this |
3. Highways are built
in the most boring areas! Why can’t I find a quick, safe, efficient route
from Arizona to Ohio that takes me through the most scenic parts of the
country? To top it off, we drove out
during the third and final installment of “Polar Vortex 2014” so everything was
dead, frozen and miserable. Yes, even the street signs were miserable with that
nasty cold weather! It’s boring, it’s flat, it’s brown and I don’t remember
most of it because I kind of blacked it out! New Mexico was beautiful, but
after that…not so much.
2. It is possible to become exhausted doing
nothing. Sitting in a car for 12 hours can be exhausting. It isn't because
my dad (a.k.a. my copilot on this adventure) wasn't great company. It is just exhausting
seeing signs that say you are still 300 miles away from St. Louis. The radio in
my 2001 CRV worked, but the tape deck (YES – TAPE DECK) wasn't used. That meant
we had to listen to radio stations in the abyss of I-40. Oh, and I know what
you are thinking, “Why didn't you use one of those iPhone adapters?” I didn't
use one because the charger/cigarette lighter didn't work and the last thing I
want is to have a dead phone while I’m driving across the country.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of Country (good for me), Classic Rock (good for
dad) and NPR (good for both of us) stations everywhere!
1. It never really “sunk
in” what was happening. People asked me every day if it had “sunk in yet”
that I was moving that far away, or that I was leaving my Arizona life behind.
To be honest, I was so busy during January packing and preparing for the move
to really have time to stop and reflect. I tried to give myself the opportunity
to freak out or to allow the enormity of everything to “sink in” with multiple
solo hikes and even on that 28 hour drive. It never did, and it really hasn't.
We've lived in Ohio for three months and I never had that “Oh my gosh, I moved
across the country!” moment. Life just keeps moving and you have to move with
it.
