Move from Hell. Please feel sorry for me.

So, we are moving to Seattle from Austin. Our landlord was going to let us stay until June 3rd but at the last minute he found renters who wanted to move in on June 1st. Since we were paid up until May 31st, our ADD addled landlord decided that he could have us move out on May 31st and his new tenants in on June 1st. Idiot, but whatever, that meant that we had to shift everything back by three days and we found out on May 26th. One of my family members had decided to go to Flipside and was already there. Anyway, the last 48 hours were insane and included less than 4 hours of sleep for the three of us (in shifts). The people we hired to load the U-Haul we rented told us there was no way we could fit our stuff in the size we had. We almost traded up but then realized we would never be able to get a larger size onto the property where we are moving. So, I did about six hours of rearranging, repacking and etc., and the movers came back while I was asleep and did a shit job of packing and couldn't get it all in. I woke up an hour into the fiasco and sent them away and we spent the next twelve hours or so repacking their shit job and getting it all to fit. It is a masterful thing and we are afraid to open the door for fear it will all tumble out.

It gets worse. Two of us are driving the U-Haul with my car on a dolly behind it. U-Haul sent us to Dripping Springs (the website says they will send you to the nearest U-Haul?)to pick up the truck and they actually gave us one that had less than 5000 miles on it! Sounds great, huh? Don't worry, it changes to something very bad later in the story.

Day number one - we got a late start but it was going okay until I suggested we stop at a truck stop for some grub. The only place around had a Burger King instead of the usual greasy spoon place. Pretty difficult to get something safe for someone with Celiac (me) but I did it and we went on our merry way. I will henceforth be calling that BK, Texas's Last Revenge. Food poisoning. Mild for me, much worse for my partner. I'll spare you the details if you put forth adequate sympathy. ;)

Day number two - (actually, today, amazingly, because this just seems like the endless trip so far) I got my partner some medications and I did all the driving. Until 4 pm, when the truck started behaving badly. I thought it seemed like a fuel line/fuel pump problem but the person on the other end of U-Hell's "Customer Service" line said it was something else and after haggling about whether it really was broken enough (yes, broken enough!) he agreed to have someone come look at at, though he said I should check the accelerator cable (accelerator cable????). He wasn't very happy with my answer to that and I suspect it isn't possible anatomically anyway. So, after about an hour, a very nice fellow called by U-Haul came to check the truck. Fuel pump (and he laughed at the "accelerator cable". He said these trucks don't have such things). He said it wasn't surprising since the truck had about 50,000 miles on it and it would be about time to change the fuel pump anyway. I pointed out that it actually had about 5200 miles, not 50,000 miles on it. That, of course, changed everything. Now, we're talking warranty work, that can only be done by the Ford dealership and they closed at 5pm. So, we are stuck in a motel just outside of Tucson and tomorrow, we have to take the truck to the dealership, who will either replace the fuel pump or transfer our stuff to another truck.

My partner is still ill and in fact, now has a fever, so perhaps this isn't Texas's Last Revenge but some sort of virus, or what the hell, maybe appendicitis? I'm worried, too, that my symptoms will get much worse. I'm just mildly queasy, but heck, this last week could make anyone queasy. Oh, and TMI, but my period started yesterday and I'm fighting the cramps from hell.

I'm starting to wonder what I did to piss off the Goddess and what else she might have in store. After all, there are still many more days left to this, um, adventure.

It's interesting, nay, ironic, that I'm referring to this as the Move from Hell and we got stuck in Tucson where the temperature was 110 degrees.

I do however, have wifi here at this little Day's Inn, so I will read and gratefully except all pity, sympathy, warm fuzzies, cyberhugs and positive energy anyone cares to send this way. Save me from doing something stupid like turning on the TV, setting it to Faux "News" and throwing my life's possessions at said TV.

to have a better time.
I hope your truck is fixed quickly.

:hug:
:hug:

In my rush to feel sorry for myself, I forgot that, of course, there are DUers who live here in Tucson. I shouldn't have equated it with Hell.

How in the world do you stand the heat?

http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/tucson.html

The Complete Gringo's Tucson Summertime Visit Survival Guide

Avoid Summer Visits - It gets pretty damn hot out in the Sonoran Desert here in
Southern Arizona during our summers, and the best advice regarding
visiting then is just don't do it. While the weather in Tucson is enviable for
the remainder of the year, the only reason anybody stays here during the
summer is because they're too poor to leave! If you're planning on doing a
little field collecting during your visit to Southern Arizona, venturing into our
remote desert areas during the summer is very hazardous and unpleasant
due to the extreme heat. If you choose to ignore this first piece of advice,
please don't say you weren't warned, and be sure you heed the rest!
.
Carry Spare Water - The exposed desert terrain, high temperatures
and low humidity make rapid dehydration a severe problem for anyone
who becomes injured, lost or stranded by a mechanical breakdown of their
vehicle. When traveling in the desert, always carry an emergency supply of
at least a gallon of water per occupant in your vehicle. Not beer. Not soda.
Water. If you are going to venture off the beaten path you should increase
this prudent reserve significantly. If you go off sightseeing or prospecting in
the desert on foot, always pack an emergency reserve of at least two quarts
of water per person. It is not wise to go hiking in the desert without a partner.
To avoid dehydration just sitting in the shade, you need to drink a dozen large
glasses of water per day . You'll need even more if you're active or exerting yourself.

Wear Protective Garments and Sunscreen - Tucson has the dubious distinction
of being the skin cancer capitol of the United States. As tempting as it is to shed
your garments in the heat, don't do it. You'll be exposing yourself to the risk of
severe sunburn. Give your hide a break and wear loose fitting, light colored clothing
and a protective, shady hat. A pair of good quality, UV rated sunglasses are
mandatory attire. Protect your face, neck, arms, legs and other exposed body parts
with liberal applications of a high SPF sunscreen. Sandals and tennis shoes may be
comfortable in town, but do your feet a big favor and wear a pair of well broken in,
vibram soled, leather hiking boots when you're out in the desert.
Whenever possible, stay in the shade!

Doubly so for Mr. "Two exits, no waiting". Poor baby. I think I've had it hard, he's been going through all of this sick.

:hug:

I endured the move from hell 5 years ago with a U-Haul truck that was leaking fuel. It's a long story, but I'm lucky to be here.

I'm so sorry it's been such a nightmare.

That certainly puts our fuel pump into perspective! I'm glad you didn't go boom.

Oh, I do hope everything...and I do mean EVERYTHING gets straightened out pronto!

How horrifying for you!

Please take care, and here's a hug! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

It's been difficult. It really could be worse, but I needed to have a pity party before I could get on with this. I think I only listed about half of what has transpired.

coming your way! What an awful sounding trip so far! After I drove cross-country with my sister during my own move from hell, I swore I would sell everything and start over if I ever moved more than 100 miles away.

I doubt it is appendicitis- if you both have similar queasy feelings- but you never know. Does your partner's right side hurt?

Hang in there. I hope you reach your destination before 6/6/06!! (just kidding, of course)

:hug:

And as amusing as it is, there isn't a chance we're making it anywhere near our destination by 6/6/06, though, if I point it out, I'm sure my partner will be amused that we will be taking our only leisure day (in Yosemite) on that day. Of course, if we have any more "unscheduled" stops, we may actually have to cut out Yosemite. I don't want that to happen because it would break his heart.

About the appendicitis, no he doesn't have any of the signs (I'm a nurse and I put him through all the maneuvers) but I am wondering about an intestinal blockage. Honestly, though, more likely, it really is Texas's Last Revenge or roadfood hell.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2003035587_webyosemite02.html

Major Yosemite road closed indefinitely by rock slide

The Associated Press and Seattle Times staff

The main road to Yosemite National Park in California is
closed after a rock slide buried it under 300-foot -deep
pile of debris, and park officials say it's unclear when it will reopen.

No one was injured in the slide about 12 miles west of the
park on Highway 140, but rocks continued to fall Thursday,
preventing crews from beginning to remove an estimated
250-300 tons of debris, fire officials said. It was not clear
when the road would reopen — park officials said it's closed
indefinitely — but alternative roadways into the park are
available and roads within the park's main Yosemite Valley are open

"It looks like the mountain moved right over the road," said
Carrie Smith of the California Highway Patrol, who reviewed
pictures of the slide. "It looks like there should be a tunnel there, but there's not."

As I mentioned in another response, we were planning on going in that way. He has a boyhood love of Yosemite and wanted me to see that route but it will not be so. Well, we will figure out something else. I'm so glad no one was hurt while Mother Nature did her house rearranging.

As I mentioned in another response, we were planning on going in that way. He has a boyhood love of Yosemite and wanted me to see that route but it will not be so. Well, we will figure out something else. I'm so glad no one was hurt while Mother Nature did her house rearranging.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2006/06/01/state/n122554D64.DTL

Main road to Yosemite closed indefinitely by major rock slide

Thursday, June 1, 2006

(06-01) 12:25 PDT El Portal, Calif. (AP) --


The central route to Yosemite National Park was closed after a rock slide buried Highway 140 under 300 feet of debris and threatened to knock out electricity to the park, officials said.


No one was injured in the slide about 12 miles from the park, but rocks continued to fall Thursday, preventing crews from removing an estimated 250-300 tons of debris, fire officials said. It was not clear when the road would reopen.


"It looks like the mountain moved right over the road," said Carrie Smith of the California Highway Patrol, who reviewed pictures of the slide. "It looks like there should be a tunnel there, but there's not."


The slide began as a trickle of rocks April 29 and forced sporadic road closures last month. The road reopened last week, but on Monday the intensity of the slide increased.


The slide, which is 600 feet long, 600 feet wide and 300 feet deep, threatened to topple two power line towers carrying 72,000 volts of electricity to the town of El Portal and the park, said Mariposa County Fire Chief Blaine Shultz.


The power lines are the only source of power to the small community and the park and if the towers collapse it could also spark a wildfire, Shultz said.


Motorists were advised to use alternate routes into the park. Highway 41 from the south and Highway 120 from the north were still open.


The closure, however, shut off the town of El Portal and made it difficult for the Mariposa County Unified School District to bus its students, county officials said.

That was the way we were going to go in and I'm not sure we would have seen that until we were turned away.

Thank you very much for preventing another chapter for my Hell book. I'm serious. Thank you.

:hi:

I said the exact same thing about starting from scratch next time.

:hug: :hug: and I am hoping it is just a bug/stress that has you both feeling ill.

My brother once used a Uhaul to move cross country and ran out of gas because the "float" wasn't working. :hug:

I watched Desperation recently- very scary! My recommendation: stick with comedies until you finish the trek!

That is bad!

Best wishes!

:grouphug:

I think I'm going to make it an early evening of it and hope that tomorrow, they fix it quickly or change trucks for us quickly so we can get back on the road. I hope my partner is feeling better too.

The earthships site is amazing. I want one! I looked into similar constructions a few years ago, purely out of curiosity. I like that they're so organic - as in, no straight lines! Weird little nooks and corners and steps and shelves all built in. Very cool.

Want a joke for the road (an oldie, but goodie)?

There was a kid, driving home from college.
The mother told him, "Drive safely and obey all road signs."
Well, the 5 hour trip took the kid 15 hours.
Relieved, but panic-stricken, upon his arrival the mother yells, "What on earth took you so long?!"
The kid responded, "You told me to obey all road signs and there were a lot of Clean Restroom signs along the way!

:rofl:

Budget rental truck.
Hope the rest of your nove goes better than the start. My cross country move went very smoothly but my eloping to LV resulted in food poisoning from a burger stand in Baker, Ca. aarrgghh
Let us know when you get here. (I'm in Wa State) buon fortuna

Is that they really do pass. You'll get through it and all moved and settled and the cramps will go away and the truck will get fixed and all will be well.

In the meantime....

:hug:

Being The Best Thing I Ever Did. :hug:

I'm shocked you managed to find something safe for a celiac at a place like that. I always feel bad for the people that have several other food sensitivities on top of the Celiac. Those people truly deserve major kudos.

I am feeling so much better this morning. A long night of sleep can help just about anything.

BTW, I am not promoting Burger King by any means, and as a Celiac, I gave up on my 4-5 time yearly jaunts to such places but, BK now has a giant list on its wall listing all the ingredients of all their food and ending each list with a bold list of the most common allergens. I was impressed. I was less impressed when both of us got sick.

Luckily the partner is feeling much better. I think the lesser discomfort I was having was just related to trying to subsist on road food. My Celiac has encouraged me to be a much better eater so scavenging along the road (just kidding) hasn't been good on the old digestive system.

We'll look forward to having you here in Seattle. Just remember we actually obey most of the traffic laws around here ;). give me a hollar for local advice on places to eat. :hi:


edit: how it gets better? what was I thinking

I hope you were able to get some rest.
Perhaps you will have a chance to visit Tucson when the weather
isn't so oppressive. Try April or October.

Here's a pic of one of my sunflowers to brighten your day.




Happy trails.

:hi:

We're packing up to spend a few hours (or the whole day) at the Ford Dealership. And they just called, so we are off.

Best of luck...you'll make it !

wow.... I'm so sorry for all your troubles.