The day has finally arrived. Our mission: to pick up a 20-foot UHaul truck from the Anthem location, load up our entire lives, and embark on a 15-hour journey from Phoenix to Schulenburg. Brandie, our fearless Uhaul captain, will navigate the truck while I pilot her truck, complete with a likely unhappy Merlot and Cabernet (the cats, not the wine....) and Cadence, our tiny human copilot.
Of course, we expect a few hiccups along the way, but never in our wildest dreams did we anticipate that a "rental reservation" was about as binding as a pinky promise. Apparently, at the height of the Covid era, reservations are more like fervent wishes than actual guarantees. So, when UHaul tells us they don't have the 20-foot truck we'd reserved, we briefly lose our footing - knowing that we weren't convinced even a 20-foot truck would be big enough. The only option is a smaller 15-foot truck with a trailer in tow, so we will make it work.
Thanks to Brandie's Tetris mastery and the combined Herculean efforts of our friends and family, we manage to cram the majority of our possessions into the truck and trailer. Everything is packed so tightly that shifting isn't even a remote possibility. I had to leave behind a few area rugs, but at least I had all my books. With all our cabin appliances, personal belongings, furniture, and our motley crew of two cats and a kid, we're ready to roll.
On the eve of our departure, we stay at a hotel near the condo. As we hug our loved ones goodbye, my heart feels like it's being torn to shreds, and my resolve to chase this dream falters. I ugly cry. Like really, really ugly cry. The snot-mixing-with-tears kinda cry. I will never forget the feeling of seeing my little granddaughters, arms reaching out to me, crying "grammy!". Oh that hurt. But beneath the heartache, I'm also buzzing with anticipation. I see spring breaks at the ranch. I see family around a holiday table. Fun visits exploring and hanging out with the animals.
October 11, 2020 - Hitting the Road
We set off on our adventure with the truck loaded to the brim and our spirits high. Our journey is uneventful, and we're grateful for the reprieve after months of stress. We roll into El Paso and stealthily smuggle our cats into the hotel room. We're like a feline heist team, except with more fur and a lot less grace.
I had thought Brandie got the short end of the stick, driving the Uhaul while I enjoyed the luxury of her truck. That was until Cadence's 50th inquiry about our location. "Are we still in Arizona? Where is Texas?"
October 12, 2020 - Homeward Bound
Leaving El Paso after a good night's sleep, a refreshing shower, and some classic hotel breakfast, we're ready to make the most of this day. Excitement bubbles up inside us with every mile we cover. Or maybe I was just delirious from being asked "are we still in Texas, Gammy?". "Yes, Cadence," I would repeat, "we are still in Texas. We are going to stay in Texas. This entire drive is Texas. There is nothing after Texas. It's just Texas, Texas, and some more Texas."
Five minutes later...."are we still in Texas, Gammy?"
Our plan is simple: store everything for the future (i.e. summer clothes, etc) and for the farmhouse in a storage shed and only bring the essentials to the ranch. We anticipate retrieving everything from storage within a month or two. (Make a note of that optimism right there....)
Our first stop is a UHaul storage facility in Austin. As we unload, we realize that one storage shed won't cut it. I silently curse my book collection, which I'm sure is to blame for the overflow. And then laugh at the thought; I would never curse my book collection even if I needed six storage sheds.
We each have a suitcase of clothes to “get us by” for a few months (again, note the optimism) until the cabins are done. We head down to Schulenburg and our (now) second-most favorite place on earth: Twin Oaks Ranch. Only eclipsed, of course, by the future Kindred Spirit Ranch.
Arriving at Twin Oaks Ranch is the epitome of relief and comfort. Having visited a few times since our original stay in May, the guest house feels like home. It has become our beacon of light and stability through too many highs and lows to count. We are forever grateful for the love, support, and friendship we receive from Craig and April.
As we collapse into the guest house, exhausted and aching, we are filled with a sense of relief and comfort.
And tomorrow, we'll sign the papers, officially beginning our new chapter.
We're finally home.
As we wrap up this blog post, we want to thank you for being a cherished part of our community. Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a newcomer, we'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and questions, so don't hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
Be sure to share our blog with your friends and family, so we can continue to grow our Kindred Spirit Ranch community. Remember, the journey is always more enjoyable when we travel together!
Until our next adventure, take care, stay inspired, and keep in touch!
Adios, amigos! Belinda, Brandie, and Cadence – the Rambunctious, Rural, and Ridiculously Charming Rancheras of Kindred Spirit Ranch! 🌵🐖🌄
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