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This log runs through January 15, 2000 December 11, 1999 The Expedition Begins After packing boxes past midnight, we woke up early, tired and a little surprised that The Big Day had actually arrived. We were relieved to see the hired movers from Rebecca's (former) office who helped load up our big rented UHaul truck, while we loaded some more delicate items such as the desktop computer into our trusty GMC Denali. As luck had it, the freight elevator in our building was out-of-order, but nothing would stop us from keeping our date with fate, even if we had to make many extra trips sharing a passenger elevator up to our 18th floor apartment. (The sign says “December 11, 1999; Milepost Zero) CLICK HERE to go to other enlargeable photos of Virginia. Despite all of our efforts and the tens of thousands of dollars we'll have to supply just to get out of this condo which Don purchased years ago at the height of the real estate boom, the place has not sold. We've left a power of attorney, hoping that it will be used very soon. We could stay here and work our jobs until the place is sold, which would ease our financial loss, but that is exactly how people end up letting their dreams slip away. Although the timing and price of this sale will be out of our control, we are keeping our promise to ourselves, and are leaving today. With some friends’ help, we loaded up the few lingering physical remnants of our lives in the place where so much had happened to forge our relationship. During our four and a half years of marriage, we've had only one home, and it's been a happy one. Today we locked its front door for the last time, Don's hand over Becky's, turning a key we will never use again. Don climbed into the moving truck loaded with the possessions that we didn’t sell or give away, and Rebecca took the helm of our Denali. Like so many Americans before us, we left our home and headed west seeking a more promising future, each of us admiring the beautiful sunset from our drivers seats. We have "done" Washington before it "did it” to us. We leave hopeful of becoming Washington outsiders, having said our goodbyes, and knowing that if we should ever return, we will be lowly visitors. With Washington DC in our rear view mirrors, we lurched away from the nation's capital for the last time. December 15, 1999 CLICK HERE to view enlargeable South Dakota photos. December 16, 1999 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota We love the efficiency of doing business in this small town. In one day we obtained new drivers' licenses; hired two guys to help unload the truck; registered to vote; shopped at a couple of tire stores for ugly old wheels (that nobody will want to steal when we drive to Mexico and Alaska) and new off road tires; went to the Courthouse and got a new title, registration and license plates for our vehicle; and took Rebecca's parents to a leisurely dinner. Friday, December 24, 1999 in Livingston, Montana December 29, 1999 back in Belle Fourche, South Dakota CLICK HERE to see South Dakota photos. During breaks in our hectic pace, we bought various forms of insurance coverage from the local State Farm agent. We made arrangements for mail, although we expect we will have a major reduction now that we are homeless and jobless. Having completed all of our business, and without having been snowed upon, we said goodbye to Becky's parents and set off. We are headed to points south, and who knows where after that? Now it is actually happening, and the trip is well underway. January 2, 2000 in Jackson, Wyoming CLICK HERE to view enlargeable Wyoming photos. We all had a wonderful New Year's Eve double date, welcoming in the new millennium, where the homeless gypsies were treated to dinner at the famous Steigler's Restaurant in Jackson Hole. Those Austrians know how to party: an Austrian band was flown in just for the occasion. January 4, 2000 in Salt Lake City, Utah January 6, 2000 in Wickenburg, Arizona CLICK HERE to view enlargeable Arizona Photos. January 10, 2000 in Harquahalla Ghost Town, Arizona January 11, 2000 in the desert. "We didn't quit our jobs and sell our house and everything in it, in order to lie on the floor of the desert and shiver all night long!" were the words uttered by Becky in the middle of the night. The desert is beautiful and enchanting, but this is likely last time we'll tent-camp for a while. If we're cold at night in Arizona, how cold will we be camping in Alaska and Canada? Perhaps we'll need to rethink the transportation and accommodations on the northern points of this adventure, which we'll tackle in the Spring. January 15, 2000 in Yuma, Arizona, USA |
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After a four day cross country drive, today we arrived in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the town that is now the official headquarters of The Gypsy Wagon Expedition. Rebecca hasn't lived here since she graduated from high school. (Don grew up in Cody, Wyoming.) We're already 1,824 miles into our adventure. We stored our few remaining possessions in this shed in Becky’s parents’ back yard before setting off to see the world. 
We have sorted through thousands of things spread all over Becky's parents' garage and most of the house into which they will soon move. Fortunately, they have a spare house, so we had plenty of room. It was tricky to end up with the correct stuff in the new storage shed before heading out.
