Moving to Maine during the winter...... (Crystal: mattresses, appliances, motel)

[Elcarim]

Well, the largest Penske truck they have (26 ft) will only be $944 for a 9 day, unlimited mile rental - Houston, TX to Bangor, ME. I have no earthly clue how much fuel will be. Probably more than the truck!

[Maine Writer]

This is exciting!

[Elcarim]

I wish we could just dump our stuff and replace it, but no money for that. The truck will be $944 and the estimated fuel looks to be $1200. Wow! Still much less than hiring a moving company. Then there is the fuel for driving our van up and the lodging for at least 3 nights....

[elston]

El, I am very excited for you and think your decision is the right one.....the only way to do it right now. I was where you are.....and gott sie dank (thank god) found a way to get to Maine. We moved the last week of March.....late winter or the very earliest of spring....still lots of snow on the ground and an impassable driveway and walk to the front door.

It was fine! Would have moved in December, January or February if we could have gotten our business done in California.

IMHO there is no time like the present.....I wouldnt wait a day longer than you have to.....you have already stood the agony of the past year..and Ike must have made Houston even less suitable to you...why put it off longer. Maine can be the family Christmas Present.... and the New Year can be your new beginning.

I am so pleased and excited for you and your family!

We loved the drive cross country....even tho more than half of it seemed to be texas.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

Well, the largest Penske truck they have (26 ft) will only be $944 for a 9 day, unlimited mile rental - Houston, TX to Bangor, ME. I have no earthly clue how much fuel will be. Probably more than the truck!

check the price of diesel... when we moved (Penske, 26') it was still under $4 a gallon... but the thing DD drink a bit. Of course I was driving and I am not only a leadfoot in general on the Interstate but ANXIOUS TO GET TO MAINE!

Can you put the van on a trailer?? that is how we carried my pickup (small toyota, but the Penske site said they would not rent a trailer for it, but they would for the Subaru... but having done this before we knew the truck would fit and it needed to ride so we told them we were trailering the Sub... and made a "last minute" switch... <g>)

[Elcarim]

We could pull the van, but remember we have 3 kids, a huge dog and two kitties that will also be travelling with us.

[moughie]

So exciting, EL!!!!

Just an idea, so as not to disrupt the school year, could you send hubby ahead and you and the kids stay behind and hold down the fort till May/June when school is out?

He could then secure employment and lodging and get settled, maybe in a rental room type situation to keep costs down. Then you, children and pets arrive in Spring after he has had a chance to look around a bit???

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

We could pull the van, but remember we have 3 kids, a huge dog and two kitties that will also be travelling with us.

Well the dog and the cats could (conceivably) ride in the towed van. And while it is not legal, it is POSSIBLE to fit 4 kids and two adults in the cab of a rental truck, cross country. We did it on the move from WI to WA... it was made more of a zoo on account of the toddler and I were just getting over chicken pox! What a long, strange trip it was...

[RMoore007]

No time like the present they say.
Have a safe and memorable trip.

[willb]

Pack lightly, just take the things that matter. We have replaced most of our North Carolina stuff with much cooler old Maine stuff, and still have boxes of stuff in the basement that never has gotten unpacked after 5 years. It's getting to the end of yard sale season, but there are still a few. Marden's can outfit the whole family for winter. My wife's aunt (she's only 2 years older than my wife) is taking the same plunge, packing up and driving out here from LA in 3 weeks. I think she's going to chronicle it on her website, Democratic Daily. Come on down!