Excited? Nervous? Both! (Portland, Oakland, Hope: renting, movers, house) - Maine (ME) - City-Data Forum

cs31415 · 09-14-2021, 01:51 AM

I'm on my way! Well, at least I will be in a month. I have an opportunity to house sit for the winter, so I'm packing and hitting the road with my doofus golden retriever in the back seat. Holy mackerel, it's actually happening!

The plan is to drive up to Oakland and drop off my cat at my daughter's, then take the northern route across. The Google says it should take 50 hours, and I'm planning on 6 days to be safe. Then I'll put the dog in boarding and take a flight back to SFO so I can pick up the cat and return to Maine.

This will give me the chance to confirm that the cold won't kill me, and explore the midcoast area. When the right house comes on the market I'll be there to jump on it.

In the meantime, I just read that LLBean has lessons in snowshoeing and I'm going to sign up at the first hint of flurries

Maine Writer · 09-15-2021, 04:32 AM

Good for you! Safe travels. Check in and let us know how it's going. I hope you have a great winter.

Submariner · 09-15-2021, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cs31415

I'm on my way!

That sounds great.

You have it all planned out

Welcome

Quote:

... then take the northern route across

I have driven coast-to-coast a number of times, mostly by myself on a motorcycle, though a couple of times with my wife and kinders. The route that I have enjoyed the most has been through Canada. The Southernmost Canadian highway has some incredibly scenic routes and the road has been very well designed and maintained.

Quote:

... In the meantime, I just read that LLBean has lessons in snowshoeing and I'm going to sign up at the first hint of flurries

I have a 100+ acre woodlot that is a mile deep. There is a jeep trail that runs through the center of it, it is mostly flat level. Surrounded by forest, a nice mile long hike. If you walk to the far end, turn around and walk back you will have hiked 2 miles.

You are welcome to come here to practice with your snowshoes.

Though I would suggest that if you have a smart phone, install a Topography app. Some people have an inherent sense of direction, and some people do not. I have seen people who can walk in a straight line into the forest and they have managed to get lost. If you have a Topography app on your phone it will always show you where you are and the route that you took to get there. If all else fails, and you do get lost you can call me and I will come to get you.

svband76 · 09-15-2021, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Submariner

That sounds great.

You are welcome to come here to practice with your snowshoes.

I love your hospitality. Makes me smile

CARas2020 · 09-15-2021, 11:10 AM

Good luck and enjoy. We have driven across the US a couple times. As a kid we went to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Casper WY. Then up to Yellowstone. Did that twice as a kid. Then in 1988 I left my home town in PA and drove to Seattle with my now ex. We stopped in MT for about a week and had a bunch of boxes shipped UPS. It was an adventure including a blown tire on the car.

I know live in PDX and when my brother got married my hubby and I drove back to PA. Since then the furthest east we have driven was to Minneapolis.

I have not driven through Canada but that route sounds interesting make sure you have a passport. I think they have the card that is good for North America and Caribbean. Best to check the State Department website.

Glad you have a companion with you. Goldens are the best.

I was telling my husband not too long ago I want to try snowshoeing. Maybe I'll get a chance some day.

yaeger07 · 09-20-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cs31415

In the meantime, I just read that LLBean has lessons in snowshoeing and I'm going to sign up at the first hint of flurries

They have some great Outdoor Discovery School classes for all seasons. Super affordable, too, if you take the basic class.

Jellybean50 · 09-21-2021, 05:24 PM

Hope it will be a great trip... enjoy!

cs31415 · 09-22-2021, 01:33 AM

I'm now deep in the weeds of packing. Even though I'm not planning on taking much the boxes are multiplying. What I haven't decided on yet is how to move everything, and I could use some advice.

Today I'm leaning towards renting a U-haul and towing my SUV on one of their flat-bed trailers. I'd have to add on at least an extra day to compensate for having to drive slower, but that's not what's holding me back. First of all, I've never driven a truck. But that doesn't mean I can't, just that I'd have to get used to it. Do you think towing the 4,000 lb beast would be difficult? And then there's parking every night. Yup, that concerns me.

Another option would be to pack the car with what I'll need for the winter and hire a Pods type carrier for the rest. The ones I've looked at are all expensive, but maybe that's the way to go. I can put my things in the attic of the house I'll be staying in, so that would eliminate the hefty monthly storage fees. Although I don't want to use Pods itself since it only goes as far as Portland, and then you have to hire movers to take everything to the final destination.

So what do you think? Any and all advice is welcome.

yaeger07 · 09-22-2021, 07:11 AM

Do you have a tow hitch on your SUV? What's the tow capacity? Have you considered renting a uhaul trailer to tow instead of towing the car? That might be more manageable.

OutdoorLover · 09-22-2021, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cs31415

I'm now deep in the weeds of packing. Even though I'm not planning on taking much the boxes are multiplying. What I haven't decided on yet is how to move everything, and I could use some advice.

Today I'm leaning towards renting a U-haul and towing my SUV on one of their flat-bed trailers. I'd have to add on at least an extra day to compensate for having to drive slower, but that's not what's holding me back. First of all, I've never driven a truck. But that doesn't mean I can't, just that I'd have to get used to it. Do you think towing the 4,000 lb beast would be difficult? And then there's parking every night. Yup, that concerns me.

Another option would be to pack the car with what I'll need for the winter and hire a Pods type carrier for the rest. The ones I've looked at are all expensive, but maybe that's the way to go. I can put my things in the attic of the house I'll be staying in, so that would eliminate the hefty monthly storage fees. Although I don't want to use Pods itself since it only goes as far as Portland, and then you have to hire movers to take everything to the final destination.

So what do you think? Any and all advice is welcome.

You can ask UHaul what truck that would be appropriate to cart your belongings and tow your SUV behind on the flat-bed trailer. The trailer itself will add weight to the tow rig, but they know that.

If you haven't driven a truck, or towed much, it could be biting off more than you can chew to do both. I am no expert, but trucks are clumsy to maneuver, and when making turns their length requires a bigger turning radius - you need to account for that or risk going over the curb (usually okay) or hitting something (less okay) on the inside corner. Adding a trailers will make the rig longer and more difficult, and the way to work the steering wheel when backing up can be counterintuitive and requires some practice to be decent with. Maybe you can practice a little?

Another alternative would be to just drive the truck with your stuff and ship your SUV - lots of vehicle shipping services can do it. It will of course be more expensive, but would cut your risks of things going south on the voyage.