T minus a week

Well in a week we leave Texas. I thought I would have mixed feelings, or at least I thought I would have part of me that doesn't want to leave. But so far there isn't any of that. The closer I get the more I don't like this place. My true feelings are coming through. Basically that means, I am a small town person, the "Ft Hood area" is way to much like a big city. Way to many people living in way to small of an area. I can't wait to get to Coldwater to be reminded of what living in a small tow is like. And the on to Alaska, and finding a place out and away from everyone. Maybe my "civilian " side will be appeased with the small town way of life. Hopefully Alaskan drivers will not piss me off as much as their Texan counterparts. Hopefully it will help calm me back down. I miss that.

The next few days will be busy. I will finish clearing, just 3 things to go. We will finish packing, and get weighed again. We will try to spend a little time with our friends. And we will have a good nights rest for the little part of the big trip, the test run if you will. I hope we can get some great pictures to help tell this story a little better. And to help you get a better idea of the people who help make this journey called life more interesting and fun to deal with. The friends who we'll never forget and have helped us throughout. You know, the important things in life!

Improvements

Well things are really starting to turn around, and it's making me much more optimistic. We have had the trailer for a few days now. I got it weighed in for our empty weight. I got an email a little bit ago saying that our DITY advance pay has been paid. We should see it in the account in the morning. I filed for the other various entitlements today, so we should see them soon too.

I have been hard at it trying to get my clearing done. It is going pretty well. And after looking at the calendar today I realized that, we only have 13 days left in Texas, and only 9 of them are working days. Life is getting much better.

Got the trailer!!! Finally....

Here it is!

I'm really happy with it, so far. The eventual plan is to convert it into a toy hauler, where the rear 12' will be a "garage" amd the rest will be a camper. In fact that is how we will use it on the trip as long as it isn't to cold!

Where to start

Well where to start.... First off, I don't have the trailer just yet. Maybe tomorrow, but more likely Monday or Tuesday. The credit union in their infinite wisdom sent a check to the dealership. Really? A check?? In today's electronic society and the sent a paper check in the mail??? Not cool at all.

Next, the housing market here has slowed to almost nonexistence. We have had a few showings now but that's all. So now we are putting it up for rent or sale, which ever happens first.

On top of all that, there is a decent chance that we could get to Alaska and get assigned to the unit that is getting moved to Ft. Lewis, Washington. Ft Lewis is supposedly a really great post and area, but it is not where I want to be. The only plus would be that it would be another PCS, and we could do another DITY move and make some more money.

Anyway, all of that has put a slight damper on my mood, and greatly increased my stress level. On a positive note I finally started clearing today, and I did get to do the paperwork for the DITY money. They didn't get it submitted today but I did get my part done. So I should see the money in the next 2 weeks. That will ease some of the stress.

Got some good news today, finally!

Well the trailer arrived at the dealer today. I called to check the progress of the build and the guy said, "well it's funny you called, it just arrived 10 minutes ago and I'm outside parking it next to the gate to show it off!"

    Anyway I called the bank and got a short term loan so I can pick it up now instead of waiting on the army to pay me before I get it. It makes me really happy to get it early, now I get a chance to drive it around a little
And time to set up the front like we want it. That should help make it more comfortable for us to stay in.

    So tomorrow I should be able to go take delivery of the trailer as long as the bank gets their part done.

    Today after work we drove out and looked at the trailer, they were closed and we couldn't get real close, but we did get to see it. We had to drive through this mess of a storm they call "Tropical Storm Hermine".  It was raining like hell on the way back. I was in a 70 mph zone but doing about 30 mph was all the faster I felt comfortable doing. That's how hard it was raining & blowing. So far today we have had 4" of rain and they are calling for 4" more tonight. I really can't wait to get away from this crazy Texas weather. But with all the rain I should sleep like a baby tonight!

    Well I'm done for tonight. Hopefully I will write again tomorrow with pictures of the new trailer!