Finally Launched!

On January 28, 2014, we launched in our RV from NJ to FL. We left 2 weeks later than originally planned, and we still weren't quite ready, but we did it. Are you ever really ready?
We RV'd part-time for 3+ years. We started preparing for this launch for 2 years. We didn't finish cleaning out the sticks & bricks house but, since it didn't sell and my roommates are still living there, I didn't feel quite so pressured to get EVERYTHING out and we can pick up more things we want when we get back to that area.
I gutted the entire RV to rebuild it to accommodate all 9 of us. That wasn't quite finished either but I took the wood, tools, trim, sewing machine, etc. so I can finish it as we go. It's quite functional but I have more storage spaces to add and finishing touches.
We didn't sort and pack all the things we wanted to bring. At the last minute, we just started putting things in the RV to be sorted and stored as we go. It was REALLY crowded and packed when we left but we already sorted and stored a few things and threw out 2 bags of 'items to be trashed.'
Apparently, we left just before a winter storm hit all along the east coast but, since we had reservations for the LEGOLAND homeschool trip (which we missed because I overslept), for Suwannee music camp, and the FTF rally, we HAD to leave when we did.
This is the first time I towed my van on a dolly with the RV. How stressful! Within a mile from the house, the van slipped off the dolly so I had to pull over at a gas station and reload it. One tire harness was damaged so I had to search for another - not to be found. I had to buy a different type but some nice guy, a tow truck driver, came to help me load the van back up. It was slow driving the first day because I stopped every 45 mins or so to check the van/dolly. I held the steering wheel so tight the entire drive. My arms and hands are still asleep.
We slept the first night in VA. I stopped driving when it started to snow pretty good - it was after midnight and we were tired. I feared the snow would slow us down but the highways were fine so we headed out. Both Carolinas were pretty icy off the highway and everything (gas stations, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, Walmarts, etc) were all closed. I couldn't find anyplace to buy food so we had pbnj for the 5th meal straight so far. We slept the second night in SC. The Walmart was open in the morning so we ate cereal and started our final 10 hours of driving. We saw 2 tractor trailer trucks completely destroyed on the side and median of the highway. =[







Dolphin at Florida Welcome Center

My older children take turns riding shotgun and my chatty boy was up front with me on the final day of driving. Because I was engaged in conversation, and because my brain no longer works as efficiently as it used to, I forgot to pull off to get gas. Once I realized I was pretty darn low on gas, I pulled off at the very next exit. It was an uphill ramp. I ran out of gas at the top. Then, I turned right, hoping a gas station would be close by. I coasted down the highway shoulder and into the Flying J (also on the right!) where my RV stopped coasting about 10 yards from the gas pump!

Stopped this close!

 

I, and by "I" I mean Richard) had to get the gas can out of the closet (no easy task with all the stuff we shoved in there before we left) so I could walk to the pump to get gas to put into the RV so we could drive the rest of the way to the pump.

 

We made it to our campground in Orlando 15 mins before it closed so we were able to get to a campsite, where the RV started hissing at me and overheated. I filled the coolant tank and checked all fluids then drove it around the loop. So far, so good. Drove the van around. It wobbles. Maybe falling off the dolly knocked the alignment out? Gotta get them both checked before we head out again to our next destination.
We arrived Thu. night and went to bed at 3am, thus the reason I missed the alarm for LEGOLAND at 8am, but we did take the van and the tent 3 hours north to the kids' music camp. We had a blast. I write this from Orlando as we watch the Super Bowl, looking forward to more fun, relaxing days..
Despite the stressful launch, I'm already feeling better about our choices.
So many things went wrong, or could've gone very wrong. God definitely had a hedge of protection around us.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11