Leaving South Florida in 8 hours!

The day has come! Actually, to be honest, today was supposed to be the day, so it already came, but I didn't leave b/c I just had this feeling that I forgot something and went around the house double checking.

I will however, be leaving tomorrow morning, preferably early.

I'm pretty much having a panic attack and I'm a bit stressed because my fears get the best of me. For example:

1) I don't speed. I typically follow the speed limit exactly. Still though, I'm worried about getting a ticket of some sort. My parents and friends all tell me that I'm going to hit a million speed trap towns on the way up, and that the chances of me not getting a ticket are slim. I'll just have to do my best.

I'm also woried about possibly getting a ticket for having my car filled with boxes and all of them covered with a sheet. I made sure that I can still see out of the front window, front side windows, and rear window, as well as a clear picture through my rear view mirror. Unfortunately, I only have about 50% visibility out of the 2 rear side windows. I played with moving things around and it didn't help.

2) I'm going up without a cell phone. That's a little scary. People obviously did this type of drive without a cell phone in the past, but I am a stickler for safety. I've got my 50 watt Yaesu 8900 model mobile ham radio rig mounted in the car with a fairly large antenna on the trunk (which looks weird because I drive an Infiniti G35 ) which should give me emergency radio communication as well as being able to listen in to the official NOAA weather report and alerts. I'm going to print out a page of radio repeaters throughout the entire drive, because I can use them with my rig to make telephone calls if need be. Still though, the cell phone issue makes me nervous. I got a T-mobile Google phone a week ago and unfortunately it's broken and I won't have another until next Wednesday. Unfortunately, I'll probably be in IL on Wednesday, not here in South Florida. So a family member will ship it to me. Anyways, long story short - I don't have a phone.

3) I'm worried about my tires blowing out from having my car full with boxes. The weight limit for the car is supposedly ok, but I'm still nervous.

4) I'm worried about running out of gas because I stupidly paid more attention to the road than to the gas meter.

5) Last thing. I'm very worried about my car being broken into when I stop over at hotels. That would be a bummer. I pack all of my stuff up taking the time to do so and then place it in the car...... and then it gets stolen.

Anyways, there is verry little benefit to be had from worrying. I'll just see how this goes and take it day by day, stopping to do something to wake me up if I need to.

Bottom line is that despite the fears, I am excited, and even the road trip could be interesting. I can't wait to settle in up north. Ally and Ollie join me next weekend and we should be moved in by the weekend after that.

If I have internet, I'll post updates along the way in hotels. If nobody cares it's ok. If nothing else it will keep me entertained while I get tired for bed.

PS: Oh yeah, no more baths for Ollie and Ally. I gave them a bath tonight because it had been months since they had been cleaned. Ally immediately tried to use me as a climbing post and climbled up me digging her claws into my skin to get up to my shoulders. Ow. I'm still bleeding a little too. lol If I give them a bath ever again, it's going to be with me wearinga full suit made of Gore-Tex, a military helmet with 10 ga steel bars mounted to it to protect the face, and full out rubber long boots like you'd go stream fishing with. Oy.

Bon voyage, LG .. .wishing you a save and UNEVENTFUL journey!

Don't freak yourself out! And that's not right of your family to freak you out..... If you don't speed, your not going to get pulled over for speeding.
The important things to do before a long distance drive is to have the car serviced, tires checked, and everything else that you mentioned as far as packing it up. You won't get a ticket if you don't get pulled over, and you don't get pulled over for no reason. Relax, try to think about the new life ahead, and enjoy the trip!

Have a safe trip!!!

I must have missed something. Are you moving? Where to?

The best thing to tell yourself is that it's not a big deal if any of that stuff happens, it's not the end of the world. You can never be sure of how things will go, so no matter how much you double check everything unexpected things happen..but the main thing is not to let them freak you out I usually worry like that a lot also but I try to tell myself: people have had to survive much tougher situations than a simple thing as a speeding ticket I still tell myself that because I do speed, and I always tell myself: big deal if I get a ticket, I'll just pay for it end of story lol....But if you don't speed it probably won't happen to you. Although it depends on the cop, and as you most likely know your car's speedometer is always off by up to 5 miles depending on the accuracy...So if a cop wants to be an asshole and pull you over for 1-5 miles there is always the chance although of course very small..
Anyways, have a pleasant and safe trip and let us know how it goes

LG - yeye! The day has come!!!
I can understand your fears... But you will be ok, you will see!
As far as the car goes, this is a pic. of my car when I moved from LA to Dallas a couple of years ago:
[/IMG]
Still think your car is too full? Hummm.... Mine wouldn't fit another handbag! Literally!
Because I was doing the move with a friend of mine (another girl), I mad sure to drive only during the day, and have plenty of time to rest; I divided the trip into 3 days.
Just make sure to stop if you are sleepy, and rest a lot during the night. Don't worry about the car - you have insurance for a reason. Park the car in a well lit place preferably in front of the hotel, where it can be seen by the front desk. If that is not possible, just make sure to park where there is plenty of light.
You will not get a ticket... I got pulled over, but once I explained I was moving cross-country, he gave me a warning and that was it. Can you buy a pre-paid phone at 7-11 for the trip? It should cost you around $25-30, but it will give you the peace of mind.
Keep your fuel tank always 1/2 full, just in case you reach a stretch with no gas stations.
Good luck, be cool, be safe, keep us posted, and enjoy! I LOVED my trip, it was FUN!!

Originally Posted by LawGuy

PS: Oh yeah, no more baths for Ollie and Ally. I gave them a bath tonight because it had been months since they had been cleaned. Ally immediately tried to use me as a climbing post and climbled up me digging her claws into my skin to get up to my shoulders. Ow. I'm still bleeding a little too. lol If I give them a bath ever again, it's going to be with me wearinga full suit made of Gore-Tex, a military helmet with 10 ga steel bars mounted to it to protect the face, and full out rubber long boots like you'd go stream fishing with. Oy.

Click to expand...

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TRIP!!!! for a safe journey.

Originally Posted by zorana_dragonky

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR TRIP!!!! for a safe journey.

Click to expand...

Have a safe trip

Plenty of for a safe and quiet trip.

Good luck!!!

OK, I don't know exactly how much stuff you have in your car, but if it's possible, try to take everything out that isn't hidden in the trunk and take it to your hotel room every night. I say this not to scare you even more, but because when I drove from PA to CA my car got broken into in Columbus, Ohio on my first night (I wasn't at the hotel yet, just parked on a street while having dinner). The only thing that was stolen was a beer case box full of all my favorite CDs, signed, rare, imports, all the best stuff. They didn't touch my laptop or anything else, so I assume it was stupid kids wanting beer? I don't know. It sucked. And I learned the Columbus police are absolutely worthless, if they even exist. Also that car insurance doesn't cover stolen stuff over like $100 (i had well over $1000 worth of CDs stolen) and homeowners insurance doesn't cover much either. I drove back home the next day cos I was freaked out, got my window replaced and ended up shipping half my stuff and what I did have in the back seat of the car I brought into the hotel room when i stopped for the day. This included some plants so I got some funny looks from people.

Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world on your trip, and don't worry too much about tickets, I'm sure you'll be fine if you don't speed. Also be aware of your surroundings. You'll do fine.

Relax, and have a safe trip!

And that's not right of your family to freak you out

Click to expand...

In fairness to them, I don't think that was their intent. I think they just were trying to caution me so that if something happens, I won't be totally surprised as though I never in a million years would have thought it could happen.

So far, no ticket and no vehicle accidents. I had a lot of people going around me yesterday because I was careful not to go over the limit ever. I did unfortunately pull into the hotel garage yesterday a little tired and forgot that I had a 50"+ antenna on my car. Bye bye antenna. That was my "accident". I was pretty annoyed at myself for the night. I didn't destroy it entirely, but sheared off the thin tuning whip at the top for the 6 and 10 meter bands. It wasn't a huge deal - afterall it's just a piece of metal rod for the most part, it was just annoying. Things worked out in a weird way though. I got a call at 7:30 AM from my family telling me not to leave because of severe weather. I hadn't yet checked the NOAA broadcast on the radio (which fortunately still worked this morning despite the antenna damage), and was about to check weather.com. They beat me to it though and were right according to the predictions this morning. So, I'm spending the day here in Atlanta, which still isn't bad. I was supposed to go from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Valdosta, GA yesterday and went all the way to Atlanta instead which was by far the longest drive I've ever made. It makes up for today's lost time a little bit. Anyways, I remembered that Atlanta is one of the few cities with a Ham Radio Outlet and went there this morning. I got a much shorter antenna instead. 18.5" vs over 50".

carolinalima - believe it or not, I think I've smushed about 2/3rds the amount of stuff you have in that picture in my car. Maybe less, I can't be sure, but it's a lot. You had more though! That must have been fun driving without the rear window. I would have been too scared to drive that.

Can you buy a pre-paid phone at 7-11 for the trip? It should cost you around $25-30, but it will give you the peace of mind.

Click to expand...

That's what I did. Not at 7-11, but still a prepaid.

Keep your fuel tank always 1/2 full, just in case you reach a stretch with no gas stations.

Click to expand...

I was wrong to worry. I thought I would get only 150 miles to the tank because of the amount of stuff in the car weighing it down. Turns out I'm getting 430 miles to the tank. That was a relief. I was amazed yesterday when I saw how little my car was noticing the extra weight.

I must have missed something. Are you moving? Where to?

Click to expand...

Twin Cities, where it's hopefully a little cooler than south florida was.

Have a safe Trip How are the kitties getting to you?

Click to expand...

They are flying Sunday morning and meeting me there.

I still tell myself that because I do speed, and I always tell myself: big deal if I get a ticket, I'll just pay for it end of story lol....

Click to expand...

Utopia- you and everybody in this town apparently speed. Wow. I cut driving around the city short this morning because it actually made me nervous. It feels like everybody here is training for NASCAR.

Also, I drove by your school by coincidence today. I was looking for this hot-dog place called The Varsity that I've heard of and got detoured from my GPS's route because of some massive road construction project closing the road. I never found The Varsity b/c I had lunch elsewhere, but I drove by the GT and Emory campuses, or at least what I presume was them.

LG, It's great to hear from you, and know you are safe and enjoying your trip!!!
Yep, my car was completely full inside too; there was literally no space for a handbag... even our snacks and water were by my friends foot, on the passenger seat. There was no rear window vision at all, and it was only a problem to get out of parking lots, and when in major cities... Besides that it was a breeze - you get used to it .
I am glad you got the cell phone, and also that your family is watching over you carefully - that is very comforting...
Enjoy your free time in ATL, and keep us posted.
Drive safely!

Originally Posted by LawGuy

Utopia- you and everybody in this town apparently speed. Wow. I cut driving around the city short this morning because it actually made me nervous. It feels like everybody here is training for NASCAR.

Also, I drove by your school by coincidence today. I was looking for this hot-dog place called The Varsity that I've heard of and got detoured from my GPS's route because of some massive road construction project closing the road. I never found The Varsity b/c I had lunch elsewhere, but I drove by the GT and Emory campuses, or at least what I presume was them.

Click to expand...

ohhh I was wondering if you'd pass by Atlanta since you're in Florida and it's on the way! The Varsity is right next to GT campus literally a few feet away from official campus ground!! And yea there is construction right before that exit off of 75..But you didn't miss out much the varsity is horrible lol...soo greasy! And isn't it ridiculous that the speed limit right there on highway 75 in metro Atlanta is 55 mph??? I cannot believe it because it's such a major road and I think it's probably dangerous to go 55 because you'd be the only one following the speed limit since few people go below 65 there. I usually try not to go more than 70 mph on there and I feel like everyone passes me, possibly cursing at me for stalling traffic lol. i think it's not that people in Atlanta speed so much, it's the speed limits are so ridiculously low that people are forced into it.

Good to hear from you on your way ! Even better to hear no problems so far, we knew you can do it!

Thanks for the update, LawGuy! It sounds like your trip is going well so far (except for the antenna mishap, but looks like you fixed that one up!). Keep us posted! for the rest of your journey to be safe. Bet you can't wait to see Ally and Ollie again!!!

I look forward to seeing Ally and Ollie on the other side of this trip.

I've made it to Champaign, IL today.

On the way, I stopped at the most bizarre store I've ever seen just North of New Hope, TN. It was a total surprise. I didn't need gas, but I needed to stop for... other reasons ... and figured a gas station was a good excuse. So I see a sign for a BP station and get off. As I get off, I see this HUGE fireworks store. What I didn't realize at first was that the fireworks store, which was about the largest I've been to, was also the BP station...... and.... a liquor store.

While I probably should have been appalled, I was laughing too hard. Fireworks and gasoline is dangerous enough together, but then they added beer to the equation? Maybe I've been sheltered, but it seemed like a recipe for disaster. Somehow it was funny at the time though.

Driving through IL had me half expecting this at any moment:

Hopefully tomorrow I'll make it the rest of the way to Minneapolis. Supposedly though, I may get stuck again. The weather forecast is claiming that severe weather is possible tomorrow. I'll just have to wait and see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can go though.

I'm in south western MN (you probably won't come through here), and we just had a tornado touch down 5 miles from my place. Watch the weather carefully!

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I'm in south western MN (you probably won't come through here), and we just had a tornado touch down 5 miles from my place. Watch the weather carefully!

Click to expand...

That's what I'm watching for. I've dealt with rain here and there so far on the way up. Hail, wind, and tornadoes though are a problem. I'll just wait and see.