Re: The Travel Out Days

sticks wrote:

On 4/30/2025 9:25 AM, Ralph E Lindberg wrote:

On 2025-04-29 20:47:31 +0000, sticks said:

 
One thing is for sure, I will never again plan going over the
mountains in cold conditions again.  Too much stress.  I will take
the southern route getting to Utah or AZ next time.  If that means 4
days, so be it.

I remember the transfer from San Diego to Norfolk VA.  Don can't drive
due to medical issues.  We packed the car with everything critical and
Charlotte's bed/playpen.  Something told us we'd need it.

I planned the southern route as far as possible with only 2 planned
diversions.  Don wanted to see the Alamo so we stopped there.  In
Birmingham I wanted to meet an old friend so we stopped there.  Rest
was 10-14 hours driving for the most part.  Frequent stops to change
Charlotte's diapers.

The first motel had a loaner crib that fell apart as soon as we put her
in it so we rearranged the back of the car and used the Grayco
pack-n-play.  We kept it on top of the various bags and boxes after
that.

Not knowing what to expect, I'd snagged snow chains (didn't need but
had incase) and had winter tires put on the car.  We escaped all the
snow and only saw it as we were entering Norfolk and it was snowing
fairly heavy as we pulled up to the inlaws.

The final stint was almost 18 hours driving with minimal breaks as we
knew snow was headed in and I was determined to get there first.  Yes,
alternative plan was hole up in Richmond but fortunately it held up
just long enough.  Norfolk got 10inches of snow in the end but less
than an inch before I got us to Don's parents who were housing us until
we could get into our apartment (pre-rented when in San Diego with help
of Fleet and Family Services, a military associated assistance to us
Navy as we transfer.

If not familiar with Norfolk/Virginia beach/'Hampton Roads' area, we
are the east coast 'snow line'.  Most years we get only a dusting of
snow but we have odd years with a foot or more.  We are only funded for
snow gear for the average.  That means almost nothing.  I knew enough
to scoot home before it or wait 3 days for melt off.