View Full Version : The day is upon us
We are finally leaving Las Vegas.
Devie's last day at that shithole casino was last week...mine is tonight. Everything is off the walls, the POD is fully paid for and will be here monday, Dev's car will be sold monday, all our doctors appointments are done, we have a downtown apartment secured in Rockland, Maine (considered the lobster capital of the world and home to the North Atlantic Blues Festival), Devie already has a job at the hospital there, cats have all their shots and shaves and are ready to travel, the route is all mapped out, the final packing will be done early this week, among many other things on our long list. We will be on the road thursday evening, headed for Kingman and the 40 East...its go time! :-)
Its been years...like, 30 years for me, 16 for Dev. We will never come back to Vegas, but we do plan on coming back out west for trips to places we like, namely Encinitas (maybe catch up with Carl finally), Flagstaff/Sedona (visit with Eddie), NoCal to see the redwoods, New Mexico, etc...just no more Vegas! A new life begins now.
I will miss the caliber of musicians i play with, they have been my family for 8 years now and i dont think i will find people like that again soon, but a promise is a promise. I said i wouldnt turn 50 in THIS place. Promise kept.
Ill take a lot of pictures and try to check in as soon as i can as we will have our laptops with us. Plus, ill be doing the 'check-in' thing on FB for those of you also on there.
So here it is, off we go! :-D
Congrats, and a safe journey.
What's your route from NV to ME?
Right now its 93 to Kingman, 2 nights in Flag, then overnighting in Amarillo, then on to Clarksville, Arkansas. From there its Kingston, TN, then straight up the 81 into Carlisle, PA to spend a couple of days with mom...then the 9 1/2 hour push into Rockland....all with 4 cats in the back seat.
Right now its 93 to Kingman, 2 nights in Flag, then overnighting in Amarillo, then on to Clarksville, Arkansas. From there its Kingston, TN, then straight up the 81 into Carlisle, PA to spend a couple of days with mom...then the 9 1/2 hour push into Rockland....all with 4 cats in the back seat.
I-81 goes to TN? I didn't know that.
Oh well, I was hoping you guys would swing close enough to buy you a cup of coffee or whatever.
KG4CGC
08-23-2015, 01:00 PM
♫ off we goooooo - into wild blue jonder ♫
I-81 branches off of I-40 just east of Knoxville. Made that exact same run more times than I can count (without taking my shoes off anyway) .
Have a good trip, Adam—keep 'er between the ditches and shiny side up! Hope to be able to meet up with you in Encinitas one if these days. Coincidentally, I'm on my way there to make a delivery to a restaurant as I write this.
ka4dpo
08-23-2015, 09:40 PM
Safe trip and thank you for taking the time to give me the low down on Las Vegas living.
KK4AMI
08-24-2015, 06:16 AM
Wagons Hoooo! Safe Journey.
K7SGJ
08-24-2015, 11:36 AM
Wagons Hoooo! Safe Journey.
He's taking some wagons full of hos with him. Wow, Who Gnu? Well, I guess it is a long boring trip.
PA5COR
08-24-2015, 12:17 PM
Good trip, and a very good start to a better life ;)
W5BRM
08-24-2015, 12:35 PM
Safe travels!
He's taking some wagons full of hos with him. Wow, Who Gnu? Well, I guess it is a long boring trip.
Thats a LOT of wagons! :lol:
VE7DCW
08-24-2015, 02:42 PM
He's taking some wagons full of hos with him. Wow, Who Gnu? Well, I guess it is a long boring trip.
Eddie ........ at least he's leaving with the knowledge that he hasn't added to the body count of the unlucky few who have littered under the desert sands of Vegas! :mrgreen:
Safe trip Adam to you both! :clap:
K0RGR
08-24-2015, 03:31 PM
Kingman to Armadillo? That's a pretty long stretch in the saddle for me. There's a casino just west of Albuquerque - I think it's the only one - that has a great hotel and fairly cheap rooms. I usually run out of gas right about there, and call it a night.
If you haven't checked out the tourist traps on the way, do see Meteor Crater and the Petrified Forest - they are actually close to each other and unique. Enjoy the linked repeater systems across
Arizona and New Mexico.
WØTKX
08-24-2015, 05:09 PM
Part the northern route via I-70 that you won't be on... Sorry I'll miss ya. :sadwave:
http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2012/10/07/9971925/I70%20Glenwood%20Canyon.jpg
K4PIH
08-24-2015, 06:34 PM
Happiness was seeing Vegas in my rear view mirror. Hated that place.
W5BRM
08-24-2015, 08:03 PM
Sky City Casino. i40 exit 102. Its about 400 miles from Kingman. Big casino and hotel. Been a few years since I've been there. Hotels in Albuqueque everywhere. Not much between there and Amarillo. Might find a place in Winslow
We changed our route after much discussion. I had the 70 all plotted out, the Rockies would have been beautiful, but we wanted to stay in Flagstaff one more time before heading east. So on a whim, i just wanted to check what kind of route went off that direction. Just so happens, the 66 crosses several states...basically, the 40 is the old 66. Thats an interesting run, its history goes back 100 years, lots of wacky things to see. Also, we wanted to see what the countryside of the south is like. We avoided it for many years because of the stigma of Klansmen in pickup trucks detecting my liberal bias and firing off rounds at us while hootin' and a hollerin' and huge cockroaches running off with our important paperwork...but i suspect that wont be happening and we will have a really nice drive across some beautiful countryside and meet some really nice southern folks.
In addition to that, i compared my notes after i plotted both routes (interchanges and stops, etc.), and its actually a shorter, less complicated run. AND, being a musician, we will be going through the heart of both Nashville and Memphis, i need to say i went through there. Both routes will also take us right by my moms house in Carlisle. Having four cats in the car will severely limit our sightseeing and exploring time, but it will give us enough of a look to inspire a future visit to places we would like to revisit when we have more time.
On a side note, one of the things we have decided against is buying property right away in Maine. We figured it feels too good having some money in our account and only now are we hearing some things that arent too flattering about where we are moving to. It seems that jobs are plentiful because the meth and welfare problem is out of hand in Rockland. They cant keep those positions filled! Theft and burglaries are an issue because of the drugs...i dont want to be burgled! But we are signed on for a year lease so we will see what we think...no matter what, it wont even be in the same universe as this place. If it turns out to be unfounded fears and the positives greatly outweigh the negatives, we may look around for something cool and dig in...but, if it is too white-trashy for us after a year and there is no golden rainbow in sight, we may look elsewhere. Places on the radar are Vermont, Northern AZ, North Carolina...or just leave the fucking country all together! :lol: (is he joking? Who knows...maybe, maybe not...)
Either way, we are enjoying the adventure. The POD was dropped off this morning, Devies car is sold, it feels like we are way behind but we are actually on schedule...again, unfounded fears. Dont want to forget anything when there are tons of things to forget! We just want to get up there and settle into a routine so we can see the place from a residents perspective. Until then, we are having a blast trying not to lose our goddamn minds! :-D :spin:
Its all good! And of course i will take a lot of pics.
n2ize
08-25-2015, 06:41 AM
Wish you the best of luck. Glad to hear you are finally going to do what you have wanted to do for a long while. I presume by "Rockland" you mean Rockland City ME ??
K7SGJ
08-25-2015, 07:35 AM
Ahhh.........to be young and adventurous again. Being carefree and throwing caution to the wind. Just hitting the road, not caring what's ahead and looking forward to seeing what's around the next bend. Just being footloose and fancy free. Not having to get up every 15 minutes at night to take a piss.
NA4BH
08-25-2015, 08:13 AM
We avoided it for many years because of the stigma of Klansmen in pickup trucks detecting my liberal bias and firing off rounds at us while hootin' and a hollerin'
SUV's and mini vans now. Better gas mileage.
Wish you the best of luck. Glad to hear you are finally going to do what you have wanted to do for a long while. I presume by "Rockland" you mean Rockland City ME ??
I think its the same thing. I know folks there call it "Rock City", which kinda rocks, but its the only Rockland there.
Ahhh.........to be young and adventurous again. Being carefree and throwing caution to the wind. Just hitting the road, not caring what's ahead and looking forward to seeing what's around the next bend. Just being footloose and fancy free. Not having to get up every 15 minutes at night to take a piss.
....i hear ya! I am so young and free, i still only get up every 2 hours to piss and cant get back to sleep. And i have extra pairs of reading glasses in only 3 rooms and the car. Partay!!! :rock:
SUV's and mini vans now. Better gas mileage.
:lol: Klansmen logging their mileage and saving receipts in their minivan just doesnt sound as terrifying as my version...but its probably more accurate.
KG4CGC
08-25-2015, 01:37 PM
SUV's and mini vans now. Better gas mileage.
Actually, black out and camo pick-ups.
n2ize
08-25-2015, 02:02 PM
Ahhh.........to be young and adventurous again. Being carefree and throwing caution to the wind. Just hitting the road, not caring what's ahead and looking forward to seeing what's around the next bend. Just being footloose and fancy free. Not having to get up every 15 minutes at night to take a piss.
After well over a decade I have become adventuresome again.
When you're as old as Eddie and me, just getting out of bed in the morning is a major adventure.
K0RGR
08-25-2015, 03:17 PM
After almost 30 years in the upper Midwest, I have never acquired a taste for the winters here, though the other three seasons are really nice. Our winters are so long. Some years, they seem to start in September and don't give up until May - in fact, May is becoming more normal. So, every winter, I find an excuse to go wandering someplace warm in February. That's let me see a lot of AZ and NM.
n2ize
08-25-2015, 04:33 PM
After almost 30 years in the upper Midwest, I have never acquired a taste for the winters here, though the other three seasons are really nice. Our winters are so long. Some years, they seem to start in September and don't give up until May - in fact, May is becoming more normal. So, every winter, I find an excuse to go wandering someplace warm in February. That's let me see a lot of AZ and NM.
Seems like I would enjoy your winter season. Round here the winters are too short and the summer way too long. Your climate sounds more to my liking.
Hi All...i'm sitting on a laptop in a hotel in a little place called Kingston, Tennessee. Travelling with 4 cats has been easier than you would think, finding something to eat in the south is harder to do. Lots to eat if you are into bread, sugar, meat, corn and no spices whatsoever! But tomorrow, we head to Knoxville and turn north...we are going to push through PA and straight into Maine within a few days so efficiently that Robert E. Lee would be envious!
I'll post a little more in depth later....10 hour drive in a few hours.
NA4BH
09-01-2015, 12:25 AM
Once you two are settled into a permanent address, email/text/phone me with the information, this is to include any change in phone numbers. My "associates" want to make sure that you are able to fulfill your fiduciary duties when they are needed.
Tony says "Hey"!
NA4BH
09-01-2015, 12:30 AM
Just read your post..............
You're that close to me already? Dammit. I would have been there waiting for you had I known. dammit. I don't know what else to say other than DAMMIT. If I would say anything else it would be DAMMIT. But I don't know what to say. SO DAMMIT.
Hi All...i'm sitting on a laptop in a hotel in a little place called Kingston, Tennessee. Travelling with 4 cats has been easier than you would think, finding something to eat in the south is harder to do. Lots to eat if you are into bread, sugar, meat, corn and no spices whatsoever! But tomorrow, we head to Knoxville and turn north...we are going to push through PA and straight into Maine within a few days so efficiently that Robert E. Lee would be envious!
I'll post a little more in depth later....10 hour drive in a few hours.Whoa! On the road already? I knew you guys wanted out of Vegas, but you sure aren't wasting any time!
Safe journey ahead.
K7SGJ
09-01-2015, 11:19 AM
Just read your post..............
You're that close to me already? Dammit. I would have been there waiting for you had I known. dammit. I don't know what else to say other than DAMMIT. If I would say anything else it would be DAMMIT. But I don't know what to say. SO DAMMIT.
The fact that they are so close and didn't give you a heads up surprises you? Even I can see the logic there, and I'm no Alfred E. Einstein.
VE7DCW
09-01-2015, 11:24 AM
The fact that they are so close and didn't give you a heads up surprises you? Even I can see the logic there, and I'm no Alfred E. Einstein.
A bit harsh.......but such agreeable logic even Spock can be satisfied with! :clap:
K7SGJ
09-01-2015, 11:37 AM
A bit harsh.......but such agreeable logic even Spock can be satisfied with! :clap:
It is said that the absolute truth can be harsh, even painful. Live long and prosper. Nanu nanu.....
KC2UGV
09-01-2015, 07:55 PM
Best of luck, and safe travels mate!
WØTKX
09-01-2015, 07:59 PM
Just read your post..............
You're that close to me already? Dammit. I would have been there waiting for you had I known. dammit. I don't know what else to say other than DAMMIT. If I would say anything else it would be DAMMIT. But I don't know what to say. SO DAMMIT.
They're dodging all of us.
I say we declare an Island Invasion of Maine.
Make it a DXpedition of sorts. :mrgreen:
Nooooo, nothing like that! :lol: Remember, we have 4 cats in a Sedan and a tight schedule. We really want to see a LOT of the places we are passing a bit more in depth...hell, i would like to report on things more in depth but i'll have to wait to do that even.
We are just hoping that this move works out and we can find what we are looking for. If it isnt, then fuck it! We will be in Arizona! Either way, We are stoked to never have to see Las Vegas again. We will be in Maine by tomorrow night, this trip has been smooth so far and we have seen some amazing things, we just want to do things the right way. This is a big move! Lots on our mind, lots left to do and the clock is ticking. Our nerves have shifted from Vegas (no longer a problem), to a new life not in Vegas. We still have to get our checks...and they are sitting in an unprotected mailbox up there right now. We also know there is a big drug problem there...lots of shit on our mind.
Oh, and throw in us visiting Flagstaff two weeks prior to moving and absolutely falling in love with the place! We have options...and doubts. Oh well, its probably the uncertainty, nerves, endless divider lines and lack of sleep messing with me...big drive in the morning. Ill try to report once we are settled in up there.
Love you guys!!
ka4dpo
09-03-2015, 08:47 AM
Nooooo, nothing like that! :lol: Remember, we have 4 cats in a Sedan and a tight schedule. We really want to see a LOT of the places we are passing a bit more in depth...hell, i would like to report on things more in depth but i'll have to wait to do that even.
We are just hoping that this move works out and we can find what we are looking for. If it isnt, then fuck it! We will be in Arizona! Either way, We are stoked to never have to see Las Vegas again. We will be in Maine by tomorrow night, this trip has been smooth so far and we have seen some amazing things, we just want to do things the right way. This is a big move! Lots on our mind, lots left to do and the clock is ticking. Our nerves have shifted from Vegas (no longer a problem), to a new life not in Vegas. We still have to get our checks...and they are sitting in an unprotected mailbox up there right now. We also know there is a big drug problem there...lots of shit on our mind.
Oh, and throw in us visiting Flagstaff two weeks prior to moving and absolutely falling in love with the place! We have options...and doubts. Oh well, its probably the uncertainty, nerves, endless divider lines and lack of sleep messing with me...big drive in the morning. Ill try to report once we are settled in up there.
Love you guys!!
I hear the Maple Syrup is good there.
VE7DCW
09-03-2015, 11:44 AM
I hear the Maple Syrup is good there.
The Maple Syrup most likely is not as good as ours (**add Eddie or Carl joke here,Bob can have at it as well**) ........but Canada is not discriminating to pretty well all folks including anyone or anything from Vegas or " 'mericuns" or yankees in general :mrgreen:
ka4dpo
09-03-2015, 04:04 PM
The Maple Syrup most likely is not as good as ours (**add Eddie or Carl joke here,Bob can have at it as well**) ........but Canada is not discriminating to pretty well all folks including anyone or anything from Vegas or " 'mericuns" or yankees in general :mrgreen:
I hear the beer is good in Canaduh.
WØTKX
09-03-2015, 05:00 PM
The real deal is maple taffy. :yes:
http://www.travelandescape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/maple-taffy-snow.jpg
NA4BH
09-06-2015, 11:20 PM
Hey Adam, Las Vegas called, you forgot to turn off the stove. :rofl:
n2ize
09-07-2015, 01:23 AM
Nooooo, nothing like that! :lol: Remember, we have 4 cats in a Sedan and a tight schedule. We really want to see a LOT of the places we are passing a bit more in depth...hell, i would like to report on things more in depth but i'll have to wait to do that even.
We are just hoping that this move works out and we can find what we are looking for. If it isnt, then fuck it! We will be in Arizona! Either way, We are stoked to never have to see Las Vegas again. We will be in Maine by tomorrow night, this trip has been smooth so far and we have seen some amazing things, we just want to do things the right way. This is a big move! Lots on our mind, lots left to do and the clock is ticking. Our nerves have shifted from Vegas (no longer a problem), to a new life not in Vegas. We still have to get our checks...and they are sitting in an unprotected mailbox up there right now. We also know there is a big drug problem there...lots of shit on our mind.
Oh, and throw in us visiting Flagstaff two weeks prior to moving and absolutely falling in love with the place! We have options...and doubts. Oh well, its probably the uncertainty, nerves, endless divider lines and lack of sleep messing with me...big drive in the morning. Ill try to report once we are settled in up there.
Love you guys!!
If you don't like Maine then head westward into upstate NY. I think you'll find the Adirondacks serene, peaceful, and very likable. Plus you can still find properties there where you won't even see the smoke from your neighbors chimneys.
VE7DCW
09-07-2015, 11:44 AM
Hey Adam, Las Vegas called, you forgot to turn off the stove. :rofl:
.......or maybe Vegas called because they found a parting gift buried in the desert? ..... it has to be a fun place :snicker:
Well, its pretty much official...we are staying. This place is bad ass! We initially secured a place in Rockland, then found out the place is fucking insane with heroin and bath salt zombies...i shit you not! Those things, and Meth, are the bane here. Rockland (where im typing this from) is nice, but its also a big fishing and ferry port...the bad drugs and migrant workers come in through the port here. We got the keys to the Rockport place and walked in to an eerie scene that i wouldnt want to see again...enough so that we are breaking the lease without bringing one item in the front door. That bad! I drove Devie up the coast to Belfast where i visited last year and it was as awesome as it ever was.
The port in Belfast is considerably smaller than Rockland and mostly services yachts and antique sailing vessels. They get a couple of lobster boats but not a fleet by any means. There are a number of residential/live-aboard boaters who park in the harbor and take the dinghy to shore for supplies. There is also a small cruise ship that docks here a couple of times a week, but they only bring older couples on vacation with money...not grimy tweakers with heroin. So we decided, on a whim, to check the rental listings and found a Victorian era saltbox with two units. Called up the owners and signed the papers the following day. Our new apartment faces the Belfast Commons Park where local events, plays, shows and small festivals have been held for almost 200 years, plus an unobstructed view of the harbor...Score!!
Ill post more about our trip and experiences soon, lots to do still, but its been quite an adventure so far. And yes, we have been eating a lot of really good lobster, sitting on the shore line and even tried a Moxie...Maine's official soda. Not bad. I think i like Eli's better, but who's checking. Even had a Bobcat run out in front of us today! Ok, i have a ton of shit to tend to tomorrow so i need to sleep...i will report in once we have settled in a bit. :)
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