No, I’m not mad.
According to our website, we have a mere 80 days until our departure. I am as determined to avoid last minute madness as I am to avoid clutter in our van so I’ve been diligently ticking things off our “to do list”. I thought I’d accomplished quite a bit. I’ve gone through our house room by room, made significant headway on spiffing up our van and put a serious dent in plans for school on the road. But boy, there sure are still a lot of things to “tick off”.
I guess when July 2nd arrives, everything will be crossed off… or… it won’t be. Either way, were outta here.
Here’s “the list”… just in case you are planning a trip of your own.
- House
- Advertise for renters
- Determine structure (include utilities, phone and internet or not)
- Get contract from Pete if needed
- Spring cleaning
- Sort room by room
- Downstairs bedroom
- Downstairs bathroom
- Basement back room
- Downstairs family room
- Upstairs living room
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Master Bedroom
- Kid bedroom
- Give stuff away / sell
- Clean
- Set up auto pay – utilities, phone, internet, oil,
car, Helen, etc - Contact Rosso to get oil bill emailed to us
- Cancel long distance phone service
- Pack personal belongings and store
- Find a place to store our Volvo and Randy’s motorcycle – cancel or reduce insurance (on car too)
- Arrange for mail to be forwarded or picked up
- Arrange for chicken care
- Admin
- Travel insurance – research and decide
- Renter’s Insurance – auto pay?
- Make copies of all documents, give copies to relatives and look into storing them on line (Randy to scan)
- Write letter of intent
- Cancel any email subscriptions
- Set up relatives with Skype and test
- City Health Care? Leave checks with City HR
- Capitol One annual fee?
- Taxes
- Homeschooling
- Meet with Todd re: curriculum planning
- Research / order curriculum materials
- Complete schooling plan
- Gear
- Purchase all items needed for First Aid Kit
- Purchase any remaining gear (see gear lists)
- Medical
- Research emergency evacuation insurance
- Vaccinations – determine what we all need and start getting shots
- Finish getting shots
- Doctor and dentist visits
- Make sure we have travel vaccination records and they are up to date
- Get new epi pen prescription filled
- Visas and Passports
- Check to make sure passports are good for 6 months past end of trip
- Get extra passport photos
- Research if visas are needed
- Electronics
- Research and purchase computer technology (after much research and debate, we’ve decided to get and iPad. That is, if one actually ever becomes available.)
- Purchase a data plan if needed
- Travel
- Decide on international destinations and purchase tickets
- Research International driver’s license
- Need emergency evac insurance? Research
- Van preparations
- Take measurements for containers
- Clean van
- Sew curtains and seat covers
- Build shelves for over cooler storage
- Suction cups for storing stuff
- Order new drink holder
- Research and order awning / outdoor rug
- Take the van in for a “check up”
- Pack kitchen kit
- Do a test run – packing everything we plan to take in the van
Plan going away party!
Up Next – The van, before and after.
Um…it probably took a day just to make your checklist! 😉 I thought of a few things to add to your list. Check out the public use cabins in Alaska (you have to reserve early if you want to use them) – http://www.alaskacenters.gov/cabins.cfm, and make your reservations for the Teklanika campground in Denali! Oh and just keep repeating July 2nd – July 2nd – July 2nd….Can’t wait to see you guys pull into my driveway!!!!
By: sue on April 12, 2011
at 2:14 pm
Getting closer!!! Let me take a crack at checking out the awning options.
Cheers
By: Pete on May 1, 2011
at 2:10 am
Awesome!
Stacy Earlywine http://www.lustingforwander.community.officelive.com http://www.lustingforwander.wordpress.com
Sent from my iPod
By: stacylynn12 on May 1, 2011
at 9:20 am
The Queen, The Queen! I have just seen the Queen of logisitics come fluttering round yon bend and she looks fabulous.
By: Randy Earlywine on June 2, 2011
at 2:24 pm