Gawain 0 #1 August 18, 2009 Packing boxes, running around, packing boxes, running around, packing boxes, running around, packing boxes, running around.... Then, the guys help me load a 26 foot Penske truck to the gills in near record time. Stuff the front cab with the missus, and a vocally objectionable cat, some stay-awake drinks, turn the key and the International diesel rumbles to life. A few turns as we say good-bye to Fort Campbell, and western Kentucky, a nice corner of the world (if it only weren't so stupid-humid) and on to the interstate we go, the trek west begins...at 69 MPH. What? This damn truck (weighing in at 21,200 lbs) is governed to 69 MPH? What the hell am I going to do when I get into Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah? Good grief this is going to be long trip, and that cat is all about being upset with being a cage. The thing has more relative space than I do and gets to sleep the whole way (and he'd better start sleeping). So, knowing that cat would be freaky we set up a litter box under the seat. He didn't use it the first day, but he was a real trooper the rest of the trip. Using the rest stops as his opportunity to do the same. One scoop and on our way. First stop, Columbia, MO. Second stop, Lincoln, NE. Two relatively short legs in the trip, but worth it since I was doing all I could to not lose my friggin mind trying to clear out of the Army and Fort Campbell. The cat is getting used to things, and the missus couldn't be happier that I couldn't even drive the speed limit most of the time. So, it's me, the open road, cars that annoy me and hate me, truckers that despise me, and a big yellow truck rumbling along and tapping the governor... Third stop, Cheyenne, WY. Didn't get to see much, but loved the open spaces and rolling landscape as we ventured west. Definitely visiting Wyoming again though. Following that was Salt Lake City, UT, which I'd been too many times en route to ski places as a kid, and aside from our hotel which was okay, I wasn't all that impressed. Strange. Final overnight, Reno, NV which was nothing more than a stop. The whole trip was a blur...and we were on to our destination: Northern California. Yepper...back in Cali!! Park in this little button of a town on the I-5 corridor and begin unloading the truck. My friend brings a few helping hands and his kids help and we're off to the races. You know what? Unpacking sucks worse than packing. Like...way worse. I've moved so many times, that I know this. It's just strange that I've not fully accepted it yet. So, unpacking while starting to strike a few matches to get this new business venture started/moving and getting ready for an overseas trip to decompress from 5 years in the Army...train-up, shot-at-shoot-back, blown-up, jump-out-of-planes, etc....yep, a few weeks in Japan will do the trick. Then, come back, get busy, get the rig, jump, work, jump, work, rig, jump, work, rig...sounds better than, packing boxes, running around...right? So, that's where I've been and what I've been doing and where I'm going and where I'll be...yada yada... What'd I miss? ...I get tired just from typing it...*phew* So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #2 August 18, 2009 You didn't miss much. There was a retiremnt thread for you, but I knew you wouldn't rest so i waited for this thread to say thanks for your excellent service. Welcome back to the cilvilian world. Still messed up as ever. We wear silly clothes with funky colors, and we sleep til 9 am because we watched Letterman. Yea he's still on after the news which is more like MTV now. Oh and MTV is worthless now unless you want to be an actor for their lame shows. Anyway, our goal for the day day is to get er done with as little effort as possible so we can chill after sunset. The sooner you figure all this out, the better. Yes skydiving is still legal thanks to you and your hard work. Thank you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JENNR8R 0 #3 August 18, 2009 As soon as I read that first sentence I thought... groan... it will all have to be unpacked! Glad that's over... Now maybe you won't have to move so often. Happy retirement! What do you call a beautiful, sunny day that comes after two cloudy, rainy ones? -- Monday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #4 August 18, 2009 Thank you for your service to our country Gawain & welcome home...to the civi world ! You are a better man than I....that cat wouldn't have made out of Lincoln! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #5 August 18, 2009 There are vet-approved sedatives for cats for when you need to take them on long trips. One time my wife and I (engaged at the time) went up to Rochester NY to watch her brother graduate from college, and their mom brought her two cats from their childhood home in CT (18 and 9 years old). We were flying. Forced a pill down each's throat and put them in flexible carrying cages. 15 minutes later they mellowed out. Otherwise they would have been as annoying as the bellowing 3 year old kid in the seat behind you. My brother took a road trip with a moving van when he moved from Texas to California, and he had a cat that was a long-time pet. He had barely gone two hours out of Austin and he was ready to chuck that furball out the window at 70 mph! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #6 August 18, 2009 Congrats, Max. And welcome welcome back back to Cali Cali... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #7 August 18, 2009 QuoteThe whole trip was a blur...and we were on to our destination: Northern California. See ya at the DZ in a few weeks! And I can totally relate to moving with cats - my trip was a lot shorter than yours and just involved a car (my company moved the rest of my stuff) and it still stressed me the hell out!"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nanook 1 #8 August 18, 2009 Congradulations on your retirement! I went cross country with a cat also. I didn't have a cat-cage and was too cheap to get one. I learned that electronic seats and nervous free cats do not mix. She got wedged between the door and the seat controls and my seat started adjusting while I was driving!_____________________________ "The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
