2 More Weeks

Our dream, three and a half years in the making, is finally within reach. With just two work weeks left—each shortened to four days by the upcoming holiday weekend—we’re seventeen days away from departure. While our excitement is immeasurable, the mental checklist for planning has become a full-time job. Our recent time in the camper has offered much-needed rest and an opportunity to refine our plans. We've been in a holding pattern since April, and the anticipation is getting the better of us. Despite the urge to move forward, the intense heat outside made the air-conditioned camper a welcome refuge. There wasn't much left to do until the final loading of the truck, so we embraced this period of calm.

From the beginning, logistics were our primary concern. We had a list of major tasks, each dependent on the timely completion of the one before it. Many people make significant decisions without fully considering all the intricate details, but we meticulously navigated each step. We often wondered why we felt so stressed, as everything ultimately unfolded more smoothly than anticipated. Our saving grace was having ample time to be methodical, to consider every detail—perhaps even overthink things. It’s always wise to have a plan, but equally important to prepare for the unexpected. Now, as we near the end of the logistical phase, we believe this might be our biggest hurdle yet.

During our extensive planning, particularly Rick’s deep contemplation, we uncovered a few critical flaws in our end game. Rick, attributing it to his “stroke brain,” tends to re-evaluate everything, blaming himself for not discovering these issues sooner. The most significant flaw: our Jeep cannot legally or safely tow the camper. We intentionally chose a smaller camper and even towed it home from the dealership, only to later discover, and verify, that the Jeep's rear axle isn't rated for that towing capacity. It was infuriating to learn this after being under the impression there would be no problem. We considered asking family members for help, but their lives are busy, and this isn't a simple day trip. Our next idea was to tow it behind a budget truck. Rick investigated, even calling the company, and they confirmed it was permissible.

Then, one day, it dawned on Rick: we couldn't tow the camper behind the truck. Turning corners would cause the truck to collide with the camper. He was incredibly hard on himself about this oversight. We priced out professional movers, and that way so expensive.  We decided to offer the job to friends who genuinely needed the income and would not be inconvenienced by the situation. We had a few on people on backup just in case, though we don't anticipate needing them.

Our final major hurdle involves loading two storage units into the truck. Logically, we know everything will fit, but visually, it's hard to imagine. The kids are all coming to help, and extra hands will be invaluable for Rick, who tires easily. He'll be driving us all the way to Tennessee, and we'll be unloading everything ourselves upon arrival. We need him to conserve his energy as much as possible.

Since our last trip back from Tennessee, Cat hadn't been feeling well. She has had recurring rashes and a general sense of unease, culminating in two fainting spells, one of which resulted in a hard bump to  her head. Rick took her to the hospital. To make a very long story short, the cause of the fainting remains unknown. The antibiotics seemed to help with an underlying illness, though its nature is unclear. After $2400 in hospital bills that yielded no answers, a visit to her PCP with a cheap co-pay finally provided clarity: she has  a concussion.  She received instructions for recovery and a muscle relaxer for her very angry neck muscles. This experience is just one of many reasons for our frustration with the medical system. She is still dealing with some vertigo, but chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy are helping, but these things take time.

On a happier note, Rick recently reconnected with his childhood best friend, and he's incredibly excited to see him again. It has been over 20 years since they have been together.  The wonderful part is, they are living in Tennessee about 2 hours from our new home and they are farming. It's remarkable how this has unfolded.
 Stayed tuned for the big move...