Relocation to Boca Raton, FL

The Decision:

In August of 2013, Russell was given the opportunity to relocate to the Ft. Lauderdale Florida Area.  After much research, praying and soul searching, we decided that this was a fantastic opportunity for Russell and for our family.

 

We knew we were going to miss our family and friends in Minnesota.  We knew we were going to miss all the holidays with the kids and grandkids.  We knew that we would miss the bonfires and gatherings with our friends.  We knew we would miss riding our Harley with friends in the peaceful Minnesota and Wisconsin farmlands. We knew that the boys and I were going to need to find our place again amongst all the new places and faces we would encounter.  And while it was scary, we knew we were up to the challenge.

Day One:

On October 28, 2013 Russell, Matt, Connor and our friends Randy and Ben loaded up a moving van with everything we owned and we headed south. 

 

Annie was basket case as we headed south.  She panted, drooled and shook the entire three days, poor thing.  The first day we went through Wisconsin, Illinois and into Indiana.  We stopped frequently for gas and to stretch our legs.  We stopped at around 11 p.m. at a Motel 6 in Indiana  as they have a reputation for being pet friendly.   It was dirty, run-down and the beds were like rocks.  But we were exhausted and fell asleep right away.

Day Two:

 

The next morning we noticed this "pool" that we didn't see the night before.  All I can say is "WOW!"  that place was a dump.  We continued on our way heading from Indiana into Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.  Kentucky and Tennessee were gorgeous.  The autumn leaves were at their peak in Kentucky and the colors were a beautiful blanket that covered the gently rolling hills.  Tennessee was beautiful too with the mountains and valleys revealing vistas that took our breath away over every ridge.  We continued into Georgia and hit the Atlanta white-knuckle traffic around 11 p.m.  We didn't stop until we were clear of Atlanta.

We risked another night in a Motel 6 just outside Atlanta.  Much better experience!  The beds were comfortable, the room spotless and the innkeepers were helpful and friendly. 

Day Three:

We had a great nights sleep and headed out for our destination bright and early.

Kendra and Phil call Georgia the "State that never ends."  They are right.  We got off Interstate 75 in Tifton and headed East through Georgia.  It seemed like it would never end.  But we did see things that we would never have seen had we stayed on the Interstate.  We saw fields of cotton being harvested, trees covered in Spanish Moss and we drove past the Okeefenokee Swamp.  We were almost to the ocean before we headed south again.

Almost there! We drove into Florida and the change was almost instant.  The rural gave way to the urban.  The driving became faster and traffic doubled.  We drove South to Boca Raton and arrive at our new home around 9 p.m.  We were exhausted but unloaded just our mattresses before we fell asleep.

Home Sweet Home:

The first day we knew we needed to get things off the truck and into the apartment.  We were picking Erica up at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport that night.  It didn't take too long to get everything off the truck.  Now the fun part began.  Unpacking...

When Erica arrived, we had most of the big furniture in place and we spent a couple hours "power unpacking."  Thanks to Erica, we were unpacked and ready to explore by the middle of our second day.

Erica helping unpack.

 

 

Annie started to feel at home

 

The reward at the end of the day.



 

I'll continue the story on another post.  But we are starting to feel more at home everyday.  It still feels like an extended vacation some days.  And other days I get terribly homesick.  However, we are getting more settled into our daily lives, doing some exploring and doing, seeing and learning new things every day.