Moving to Minnesota

[nutmegchoi]

From November, 1999 to August, 2007, Texas became my second hometown.
I've met so many nice people, made great friends, had wonderful opportunities and experiences.
It was really hard to leave Houston and people.

DAY 1

This was where I lived last two years.
I really enjoyed this little apartment.

My jam packed 1993 Corolla.

I took Sister to a vet to get some sleeping pills before the trip.
Thought it'll be easier for her to sleep through 10 hour each day driving for two days.
It turned out she was freaking out in the carrier, splashing water, food and littler.
I tried to clean, calm her down couple of times then gave up.
I end up letting her out.

Once she got out, she was sitting on my lap, puring, checking 18 wheeler passing by, taking naps, happy as can be.
So for the rest trip, she got to stay out, drug free.

Not happy Sister

Happy Sister

This thing always freaks me out whenever I pass by.

Dallas!

Oklahoma!

Oklahoma City!

Fire in Kansas!

I love Budget moving trucks.

I booked La Quinta in Wichita for the first stop (FWI, La Quinta allows pets).
But the place was really, really hard to find.
Reason why?
Because it was "Soon to be La Quinta" hotel.

Gotta love "No guns" sign at the front door

Sister looks uncomfortable out of the car.

Sister checking things out.

And made herself home.

 

[nutmegchoi]

DAY 2

Left hotel in Wichita, KS around 9AM.
Next big city will be Kansas City.

Cool car on the way.
There were 4 of them together.
Must be some sort of a car club.

Sister keeps sleeping.
She was such an easy pet to travel with.

I didn't expect Kansas City to be a nice little town.
I wouldn't mind going back to visit.

Entering Missouri, entering bad weather.

Going to... a trackday?

Little incident in Missouri.

At Bethany, Missouri I got pulled over by a local police.
The reason was... I was on the wrong side of the road.
After gas station, I "thought" I was getting on a freeway, speeding up, saw a car coming at me over the hill (yeah... that surprised me a little bit).
It turned out it was two lane (with no center line) country road with 35mph speed limit.
But the police officer was really nice and escorted me to the freeway.

Finally start seeing sign to Minneapolis.

There's nothing to say about Iowa.
That state has nothing but corn field!
Why would you want to live somewhere like that???

Minnesota!

Minneapolis downtown!

Total mileage : 1,159
Average speed: 75mph
Total hour: 19 hours
Total gas price: $100.00 (roughly around 33 gallon)
Gas mileage: about 28 miles per gallon (not too bad for 14 year old car)

Texas (Houston, Dallas) - Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) - Kansas (Wichita, Kansas City) - Missouri (Bethany) - Iowa (Des Moines) -Minnesota (Minneapolis)

 

[Tourmeister]

I hope everything goes well for you in your new home! We expect ride reports with pictures!

 

[nutmegchoi]

Thanks, Scott.
SV's coming tomorrow!
Will be on road no time!!

 

[nutmegchoi]

Here's my first activity in north.

Fairs are big deal up in North.
Especially State Fair's one of the biggest event here.
They have food (everything's fried and sticked!), music, shows, fireworks, live stocks, rodeo, carnival... you name it!
I ate things I never had before (elk meat balls) and saw things I've never seen before.
Can't wait to go back next year!

Beautiful weather

Wondered if some of them were from Texas...

Even fruit's fried and sticked!

This kiddo was crying a lap before I took the picture (and that was the whole reason why I wanted his photo!)

Wheelie school

 

[jhansen]

Keep that picture of your car in the garage. it will be a reminder of what it looked like before its first Minnesota winter. one word...SALT.

Your cat travels way better than mine. lucky you!

 

[Boxercup Dave]

We lived in MN for 4 years and loved it. If you get the chance try out Brits Pub downtown Minneapolis.

 

[klrno2]

I sympathize...I also just moved, but back TO Texas instead of away. All the packing...moving...heavy boxes and furniture. Makes my back hurt just thinking of it.

Best of luck to you...I like your photos, made me think "Gotta love America".

 

[Doons]

Grew up in Minneapolis (New Hope). The Fall and Spring in Minnesota are outstanding. Then comes winter and summer.... not so much... It's a great city, with freindly people who talk like they were all extras from the movie "Fargo". Enjoy, it's a great place to live (go now and get your winter clothes!!!!) and don't forget to get your car checked out really well. 10 and 20 below zero can uncover a lot problems with an older car!!!

 

[leekellerking]

Nice trip. When we moved back from Arizona we had a big, goofy dog and two cats. No carriers; no drugs. They slept a lot -- with the new cat always keeping proper distance from the dog, who she HATES.

Enjoy your new life in Minnesota.

Lee

 

[nutmegchoi]

Thanks, guys!
I got in trouble when I showed these photos to my boyfriend.
"You should be driving, not taking pictures!"

 

[jhansen]

Thanks, guys!
I got in trouble when I showed these photos to my boyfriend.
"You should be driving, not taking pictures!"

I can imagine the response..."What's the problem? I've done it on my bike, the car has four tires..piece of cake!"

 

[Faylaricia]

They sure start them young there, don't they???

.

I cannot wait for some riding pictures from up there.

 

[Thermalser]

Best of luck up there, T!

 

[nutmegchoi]

SV just got here!