Thursday, April 01, 2004

Here's the update you've all been waiting for. March 20th, the first day of spring, was my planned departure date. But it was cheaper to start renting the Budget van on a Monday. So here's the sordid details.

MONDAY 2004-0322
Picking up the Budget van took an hour. I packed the van single-handed (okay, I used two hands). By the time I got the car on the trailer took it was 3pm PST!! Wow, I didn't know I had so much stuff. (I was warned of this.) I filled the whole 15' (800 cu') van, though not to the top (400 cu'?). I expected to leave at least 4 hours earlier.

To get to KC I took I-80 and got to Reno NV (239mi) Monday evening, staying at a Motel 6. Originally I wanted to get to Elko NV on Monday evening. (Yeah, right.)

TUESDAY 2004-0323
After gas and all I ended up on the road about 8am PST. This day I drove through all of Nevada and Utah, eventually stopping in Evanston WY, which is on the western edge of Wyoming (833mi total / 594mi for the day). Two states in one day. Again, stayed in a Motel 6. My original itinerary had me in Laramie WY by this time. Though with leaving at 3pm PST on Monday this schedule was blown.

WEDNESDAY 2004-0324
This time I got on the road early, 7am GMT (lost an hour with PST to GMT). I promised Deadgrrrl that I would meet her in Lincoln NE on Wednesday evening so I had some catching up to do. I ended up driving until 9pm CST (lost another hour). I arrived in Lincoln after 11 hours of driving: subtracting time for breaks, gas, naps, eating, etc. (1621mi total / 788mi for the day. Wow! 45 miles short of all the driving from Monday and Tuesday combined.) And yes, Deadgrrrl and I went out for some REAL food. Deadgrrrl rawks!

THURSDAY 2004-0325
From Lincoln to KC was only 3 hours, so I ended up arriving at StoicHome at 11am CST. Huzzah! Didn't do much on this day, except hang around with the Stoics.

FRIDAY 2004-0326
Kristi (aka Stoichic) and I went out apartment hunting in the Kansas City area (both Kansas and Missouri).

First stopped by the apartments that Gargoyle (Stoic-brother) lives in. Decent.

Second was another complex that was innumerable, though a friend of Kristi lived there.

Stopped at another place called "Silverwood"... hmm, better.

"The Falls" was next.. Yikes! Dorm type living, and not as nice as "Silverwood".

Last was "Wood View" (Kansas City, KS). Michelle the leasing agent was very cool, the place was great, and she offered it for a great price. (amenities: washer/drier, balcony, good sized kitchen, fireplace, tennis courts, pool & hot tub, workout room). SOLD! (Details below). Only some 6 miles from StoicHome. I was very, very happy that I could get into a place so quick. (I think Stoicite was surprised, thinking that I would be haning around StoicHome for a few more days.)

That evening Kristi and I moved everything in. And I still made it to that evening's Ampedout.net show, Dopamine, staring Stoicite, DrunkJeff, Bbblake, and Bynk!

WEDNESDAY 2004-0331
Had Stoicite and Stoichic over for some curry chicken.

THURSDAY 2004-0401 (April Fools!)
Today. Woot! Internet connectivity via RoadRunner! Life is good, and I finally can get some things done.

SATURDAY 2004-0327 through THURSDAY 2004-0401
Organize, move, assemble, buy stuff at Bed Bath & Beyond and at Walmart, phone hook up, return Budget rental and trailer.

The kitchen and bathroom were finished first. Still working on bits and pieces of the living area. Getting closer but work is still needed. The bedroom will be a bit longer to get right. Still need a TV, vacuum cleaner, and a gas grill. CostCo, here I come!

My FULL-SIZED washer and drier come on Friday. Ack! Need to clear the cardboard out of the space (below).

BYNK'S SANCTUM INSANITORUM
Total space: 25'x25'= 625sq'; includes balcony and external storage.
Cost: $525/month, including water and washer & drier.

Living area: 17'x12'; fireplace, ceiling fan, door to balcony. Very ample.

Kitchen: 8.5'x8'; dishwasher, decent amount of cabinet space including a small pantry. After microwave and toaster oven there's really only a small amount of work area.

Bedroom: 12'x11.5'; sliding glass door to the balcony and a 5.5'x5.5' walk-in closet.

Bathroom: 5.5'x8.5'; shower/bath.

THE PICS


An interesting shower stall in a Reno Motel 6.


The long road in Nevada, with some salt flats to the right.



Views from a rest stop in Nevada.


Yup. There's all my worldly belongings.



Rock formations in eastern Nevada.


Somebody also moving. Two Budget vans towing cars and another person in a pickup.


Heading towards the Rockies.


There be hills!


Coming out of Nevada into Utah. You can tell because of the immense salt flat.


Okay, it's okay to love your Toyota car dealer, but isn't this a bit much? I knew Utah was a strange place.


A nice welcome sign in Utah.


Yes, who in the Donner party ordered long pig?


FedEx must be three times faster like this.


Getting gas in the snowy hills above Salt Lake City.


A sunrise in Wyoming, just outside of Evanston.


Cool rock formations? Then this must be Wyoming.


A wind farm on the eastern edge of Wyoming.


Part of a military museum in Nebraska. Kris, have you been there?


The walkway to my apartment.


Tennis courts, basketball, volleyball next to my apartment.


Getting closer. The evergreen makes it seem so alpine.


First floor, the balcony on the left is mine.


My Woodview wooded view. You can barely see the power station behind those trees.


Front door to #205.



The spacious living space... fireplace, ceiling fan, and a door to the balcony.


The Ikea desk. Very nice.


Kitchen.


The washer and drier will go here soon!


Bathroom. Walmart had a cool retro-surfing shower curtain with woodie wagons.


View from the bedroom, to the balcony. Still working on bedroom organization.

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