Moving with a little one and 2 cats.

Planning a move of 1500 miles across 4 state lines with little 'ol me, my precious daughter and 2 cats was a little daunting, but having had the practice run in November gave me confidence to press on.  Leaving Twin Falls was a hard step I had been putting off for awhile.  Too many friends, family and memories were holding me there.  Yet an important part of me had moved to Texas and it was time for me to make the leap. 

After many tearful goodbyes, I set out early in the morning on Wednesday.  My car was packed with every kind of household necessity wrapped, vacuum-sealed and crammed as tightly as possible.  The cats were housed in a large cardboard box with windows cut for viewing, a simply cut door, and lovingly hand painted by Zoey. 

The trip started out as expected, cats letting cries that sounded of a haunted house and my 3 year old bidding "goodbye Idaho".  Less than a half hour into the trip, I knew that smell was NOT a dairy nearby. My poor Sunny had been so upset by the ordeal he had "run" all over himself.  I pulled over the the nearest pullout, just before Hollister, and climbed out to survey the mess.  Unfortunately the puppy training pads I had placed in the box had all migrated to the back and I had not packed any cleaning supplies.  I found some coffee filters and made the best effort I could. Now able to breathe, and think for that matter, I proceeded to Hollister to purchase a pack of Clorox wipes and air freshener at the exorbitant prices that small towns offer and we were off again.

An hour, and many cat moans later,  the cat box started to tremble and shutter and out pops Stormy, freeing himself through the makeshift door of his tiny prison.  He climbed out and strolled over Zoey and placed himself next to her, head on her lap.  It seems my 9 year old cat needed comforted by his 3 year old owner. 

After a few stops for Zoey and the cats to stretch their legs, we arrived in Las Vegas after 9 1/2 hours of travel.  We stayed in a La Quinta, which I had found out all are pet friendly.  The rules state that animals are not to be left alone so I ordered in room service.  It was just what the doctor ordered after such a long trip.

 It was this day I received a call from John that he was no longer at his current employer due to the fact they found out he had applied elsewhere and immediately let him go.  The new job should start in a couple weeks, but I was to meet him in Midland/Odessa area.

The next morning was early and rushed.  Leaving Vegas, Zoey proclaimed she had seen Rapunzel's tower the night before and showed me it again, the Stratosphere.  She said she wants to stay at that "vacation" next time.  A couple hours into the trip, Sunny decided to break free from his box and found sitting on the pile of luggage in the front passenger seat a nice break, but his timid nature took him back to the box for most of the trip. After a short stop, or so intended had the store not been a maze, at IKEA in Pheonix, we arrived in Tucson in early evening and locked the cats up securely in the bathroom.

After a day of rest with Grandma, we set out the New Mexico and Texas borders before sunrise Saturday morning.  Donna made us bean tortilla's for the road,which were quite delicious, and once again the cats took their places. The trip was long and thankfully uneventful.  A short stop at the homeland security checkpoint made me rush Sunny into his box to ensure the drug dogs didn't startle him.  The officer asked me if I was a citizen, "yes", and my destination, "Texas", (look of annoyance), oops I was already 100 miles into Texas. After a quick correction they let me through. 

Nearing Odessa, Texas, I was already missing trees, hills and mountains, and had seen more pump jacks than I thought existed.  I arrived in the small town of Goldsmith, population 250, which is about 20 min from Odessa.  Our fifth wheel was parked in a lot with ....a small wooden shed which housed the town laundromat (2 machines each), and a wheelchair bound man named Charlie.  Charlie and John were there to greet us and in short time the clean spacious RV was piled high with my loot.

We went to bed, tired from our long trip, with items piled high around us.  I guess we'll get to those things later.