Well, things have been a bit slow here for the last few weeks. However it is all starting to happen now.
After a couple of calls to the US at 2.00am we have bought an F250 and a fifth wheeler - Cougar 276RLS. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. If I can I will post some photos.
Plans have changed slightly and I will let you know the details later.
So much to do to '20 year old uni student proof' the house!! LOL
Our fifth wheel and the truck
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Countdown (well it will be starting soon)
Norm has finally done it!!! He has less than 50 work days left before he finishes. Tonight he came home from his LAST EVER parent night!!!
We are now in the process of narrowing down the quotes on our fifth wheeler. We are looking at one in Akron, Ohio and one in Hooks, Texas. Wherever we can get the best deal with the minimum of effort in getting it. I am hopeful that we will settle this before we leave. There seems to be a lot of F250's around but not many of the wheeler that we want.
At this time I need to spend some time with number two son to make sure he is capable of looking after himself!!! I know mission impossible!!!!
I have a suitcase out and am actually starting to put 'stuff' into it just to get it out of the way.
When we get to 100 days I am going to start a countdown!! 115 days today but who is counting????!!! LOL
We are now in the process of narrowing down the quotes on our fifth wheeler. We are looking at one in Akron, Ohio and one in Hooks, Texas. Wherever we can get the best deal with the minimum of effort in getting it. I am hopeful that we will settle this before we leave. There seems to be a lot of F250's around but not many of the wheeler that we want.
At this time I need to spend some time with number two son to make sure he is capable of looking after himself!!! I know mission impossible!!!!
I have a suitcase out and am actually starting to put 'stuff' into it just to get it out of the way.
When we get to 100 days I am going to start a countdown!! 115 days today but who is counting????!!! LOL
Friday, March 12, 2010
Abrupt halt!!
We have really come to an abrupt halt with the plans. Not for any particular reason just that we have booked our first week and a half and really can't go any further for the moment.
After picking up and decking out the 5th wheeler we are thinking of heading over to Amish country in Pennsylvania before heading to the 'boot camp' in Goshen, Indiana. I really want to have a look around Amish country - their way of life fascinates me - not that I could do what they do - just really interesting.
The 'boot camp' is five days of learning all the processes of having and driving a 5th wheeler. It will also give us an opportunity to meet other full time rv'ers.
After the boot camp we have to high tail it over to Seattle for our cruise. It will mean driving about eight hours a day for five days. There won't be much time for sightseeing on that leg of the journey but given that we have eighteen months, what is five days??? LOL
I asked Norm to get the suitcases down the other day and after he finished laughing he said NO. Very disappointing!!
After picking up and decking out the 5th wheeler we are thinking of heading over to Amish country in Pennsylvania before heading to the 'boot camp' in Goshen, Indiana. I really want to have a look around Amish country - their way of life fascinates me - not that I could do what they do - just really interesting.
The 'boot camp' is five days of learning all the processes of having and driving a 5th wheeler. It will also give us an opportunity to meet other full time rv'ers.
After the boot camp we have to high tail it over to Seattle for our cruise. It will mean driving about eight hours a day for five days. There won't be much time for sightseeing on that leg of the journey but given that we have eighteen months, what is five days??? LOL
I asked Norm to get the suitcases down the other day and after he finished laughing he said NO. Very disappointing!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
More plans - Sunday 27th February.
Today has been one of those days. I started out with the intention of booking overnight accommodation in Auckland and LA, flights from LA to Houston and accommodation in Houston. Well it has taken all day but it is almost finished just have to finalize the booking in Auckland.
We have decided to finalise the purchase of the fifth wheel from Australia before we go so it is ready to be picked up when we arrive.
The plan is to arrive in Houston on 25th July and hire a car for a week. We will have a quick look around on the 26th for an F250 and then go off to Livingston to establish our address and (try) for our Texas drivers' licenses. Once we have them we can purchase and insure the vehicle. After we get the F250 we will drive to wherever the fifth wheel is, pick it up, deck it out and finally begin the holiday. Hopefully it won't take too long.
And then we meander up to Seattle for our cruise!!! Can you believe it? It is still sinking in!!!!
We have decided to finalise the purchase of the fifth wheel from Australia before we go so it is ready to be picked up when we arrive.
The plan is to arrive in Houston on 25th July and hire a car for a week. We will have a quick look around on the 26th for an F250 and then go off to Livingston to establish our address and (try) for our Texas drivers' licenses. Once we have them we can purchase and insure the vehicle. After we get the F250 we will drive to wherever the fifth wheel is, pick it up, deck it out and finally begin the holiday. Hopefully it won't take too long.
And then we meander up to Seattle for our cruise!!! Can you believe it? It is still sinking in!!!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
The visas and the tickets.
The visas were delivered on FRIDAY! Can you believe how easy it was? And we got a five year visa which means we can come and go as often as we like to the US.
Well we went to the Travel Expo, paid our $10ea to get in and the first booth we came to was the STA Travel one. We sat down and booked our tickets! That easy - we have tickets that are valid for our return for 18 months - the mind bogles! We have also arranged for a stop over in Auckland on the way back - if we are not too exhausted and eager to get home. Paid for the tickets on Sunday and got the e-tickets on Monday. There is going to be no stopping us now.
Next job is to arrange the first few days in Los Angeles and Houston and to book the Alaska Cruise for September. That is the job for this weekend.
Well we went to the Travel Expo, paid our $10ea to get in and the first booth we came to was the STA Travel one. We sat down and booked our tickets! That easy - we have tickets that are valid for our return for 18 months - the mind bogles! We have also arranged for a stop over in Auckland on the way back - if we are not too exhausted and eager to get home. Paid for the tickets on Sunday and got the e-tickets on Monday. There is going to be no stopping us now.
Next job is to arrange the first few days in Los Angeles and Houston and to book the Alaska Cruise for September. That is the job for this weekend.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Visa Success
You ripper!!!!! We went to the consulate today with all this documentation that they just might need! Evidence of this and that and the other thing and guess what.....? They didn't ask for anything - AT ALL! Just chatted with us about our plans and where we were going. It was so easy!
We were supposed to be there 1/2 an hour before our interview. Got there 20 minutes before the 1/2 hour but hardly had to wait and in fact we were in and out before our 10.20am interview time.
The gentleman indicated that we should get our visas in the post tomorrow or at the latest Monday. This means that when we go to the Travel Expo this weekend we can actually book flights and an Alaska Cruise.
Yesterday I had a meeting with my director and told her that we are planning on retiring so now I guess I am past the point of no return.
I am getting just a little excited. Huge understatement that!!!! LOL
We were supposed to be there 1/2 an hour before our interview. Got there 20 minutes before the 1/2 hour but hardly had to wait and in fact we were in and out before our 10.20am interview time.
The gentleman indicated that we should get our visas in the post tomorrow or at the latest Monday. This means that when we go to the Travel Expo this weekend we can actually book flights and an Alaska Cruise.
Yesterday I had a meeting with my director and told her that we are planning on retiring so now I guess I am past the point of no return.
I am getting just a little excited. Huge understatement that!!!! LOL
Monday, February 15, 2010
B***** Red Tape
Yesterday I started the process of applying for a 6 month visitors visa to the US. It is not easy to say the least. One has to provide evidence of sufficient money to keep them for the entire holiday and evidence that you intend to come back to Aust. Trying to figure out what constitutes evidence that you intend to come back is difficult and trying to get an answer from anyone is a b***** nightmare.
Finally got in touch with a guy who has already done what we are going to do and he told me to take our rates notice for Gidge. Owning property indicates to them that you have ties here and are not going to try to stay in the US and try to get a Green Card.
Today Norm and I went and had our photos taken for the visa application (ugly like passport photos!) and tonight I got all the stuff together for our interview on Thursday! All I need to get now are some bank statements. It really is happening!!
Finally got in touch with a guy who has already done what we are going to do and he told me to take our rates notice for Gidge. Owning property indicates to them that you have ties here and are not going to try to stay in the US and try to get a Green Card.
Today Norm and I went and had our photos taken for the visa application (ugly like passport photos!) and tonight I got all the stuff together for our interview on Thursday! All I need to get now are some bank statements. It really is happening!!
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