Our First Out of State Trip Recorded on Travelblog

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An adventure in moving without U-haul!!

Here we are in Memphis moving Wade back home. He is finished at MSOP. Wade had packed quite a bit of his stuff but there was still lots to sort through compounded by two other roommates and quite a bit of inherited stuff from previous occupants. We had lots of fun singing and packing and cleaning with all eight children together. Emily and Lydia fresh back, from Jamaica had lots of stories to tell. Many friends stopped in to offer encouragement and advice. Sunday night after Wade received his prized diploma we partied with friends and family on ice cream and cake. Got away Monday morning at 11:30-- within the time limit we had set for ourselves. The van seemed to be riding pretty rough so we had to proceed much slower than we expected (add an hour to our ETA). We ARE loaded to the gills!! Wade and Nathan riding in Wade's ailing car decided to go on ahead to get the storage unit secured. They ended up about 40 miles ahead of us when they hit a lloonngg line of backed up traffic on I-40 between Conway and Mayflower. Since we knew it was coming up we took our time, got lunch in the little people. Before too long we hit it also. One maybe two semis had rolled in the median and most of the traffic back up appeared to be rubbernecking. Grrrr! (Add another hour to the ETA.) After we spent an hour creeping along I now noticed that the van was really shaking. At Morrilton we had a BLOWOUT!! Our first in nearly 31 years of traveling together. Thankfully it was on the passenger rear side and we just pulled over to the shoulder. We ONLY had to take about 8 things out of the back to get to the spare. I walked up and down the ditch and found one--mark it ONE rock-- with which to scotch the tires. By the time we were reloaded the very patient troops were needing some reinforcements and Mother's cupboard a restock so all we needed was a trip to Wal-Mart. After our break we barely made it to the van before the THUNDERSTORM hit --we proceeded even more slowly!! (Add another 30 minutes to the ETA.) It was beginning to feel as if we would never get home. In Russelville we stopped for the third coffee refill for Michael and me, got the spare aired up; and voila-- a new van!! That tire was bad for a long time. Arrived home at 8:20 p.m. One six hour drive completed in almost nine hours. I am sure U-Haul will want to use this story--NOT!!

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Photos

The Diploma
Long awaited!!!

All of Us
and our Wade-O

Unloaded Only a Few Things
Of course, what would be on top..... toliet paper!!!!!!!

Breaking the Lugs
All it takes is teamwork!!

The Troops
Hot, tired and hungry!

Comments

[Lydia]

Well, actually....
Nice! Though you have to admit that it isn't our first trip ever! What do you think we are?! Hicks from Arkansas?! ;) LOL! I love it! :)

[Arkansas Travelers]

and Really....
you are right!!! This wasn't our first trip out of state but it was our first since I got this thing!! Thanks for the input!! mom

[Janice]

Sounds like you all had a good trip to Memphis. Lots of time to visit on the way home. LOL