49 days till I pull out of the parking garage in Seattle and head east to Quebec and the first meeting with the Breeze. I’ve kind of known there is a pile of work to do before I go but I’ve been in a bit of a fog since my dad died last month. But something about seeing “49 days” on my countdown clock woke my Project Manager brain up.
The upside of having a Project Manager brain is that I can create very detailed and highly organized task lists. The downside of having a Project Manager brain is that I can create task lists that scare the crap out of me. And that’s exactly what I did on the plane home from IAD to SeaTac.
I started with the question “What do I have to do to be car-ready for Breeze?” That gave me a short list of things like “figure out locking hitch (car end)” and “Bella oil change” and the “investigate a roof storage thingie,” something I’ve been considering for more storage of those weirdly shaped items (I’m looking at you, telescope tripod).
From there, it was an easy jump to what I need to be mobile: things like trailer insurance, a second cellular service with mifi device, a virtual mailbox, and a raft of other things. This was quickly followed by what I need to do to get ready for being a trailer owner: tools, insurance, watching YouTube videos about everything. I want to buy a wheel lock, a wheel leveler, and hey, what exactly is in that Bronze package I bought from Safari Condo? I think it has at least two essentials for trailer life: a fresh water hose and a pump-out hose, but as to what else is in there, I haven’t a clue. Time to read the list and pay attention to details
On the “bricks and sticks” front as the RV nomads say, my apartment lease is up end May. I will be on the road to and from Quebec from April 23 to May 23, so I’ll have to do most of the apartment cleanout before I go, including giving move-out notice, canceling the Internet service (and giving them back the rented modem), as well as packing up all the stuff I will put in Bella and Breeze for the #VagabondLife. And let’s not forget about selling the stuff I am not taking, which will bring in a few bucks and complete the downsizing work (at least until everything is in Bella and Breeze and I suddenly realize how much stuff I actually brought with me).
Finally, add to all that a social life: a weekend trip to catch up with an close friend, a wedding of two lovely friends in LA, and the first of hopefully not many SoCal visits to handle estate matters from my Dad’s passing. That removes 3 weekends away from prep time, and then there’s that pesky job thing takes up a lot of the Monday-Friday time.
49 days to go. Yikes!
I have a few momentos: his half-size slide rule and old flip phone (he never went for the smartphones) and both my parents' passports (because I was the reason they got them, for trips with me).
Ah, thanks! I was thinking it must be in there, but since I was on a plane when I wrote my list out, I couldn't check. You're right, it it will be good enough until I figure out what I really need in that department.
BTW, the Bronze Package includes a "WASTE WATER EXTENTION PIPE (25 FEET". It may not be the one you'll end up with – but it's something that will certainly do for your trip. An upgrade pipe could wait until later. – Bruce
Dealing with your Dad's physical belongings can be time consuming. You'd be amazed at how much stuff can be stuffed into a small space. Having been executor of my Mother-in-Law's estate I have personal experience with that. Hopefully you can get help with this part. I assume you'll want to save a few physical mementos of your dad, which will influence your downsizing plans. Closing and moving finances will take longer – but thankfully isn't full-time.