I have an announcement to make ... yes, the post title is indeed correct, we are moving to Wyoming. As some of you may know, a few years ago the company that Steve worked for closed its doors due to a loss of funding. He was out of work for a year before he found one with his current company. It's turned out to be a very good job. Steve really likes his boss (they see eye to eye on most things) which is always a good thing about a job. Also in the more than eighteen months at this position Steve's been able to get quite a few things running more efficiently and has provided a level of expertise that his boss and the boss' boss and on up appreciate. More and more he had to travel to the head office in Cheyenne, WY. It became apparent that Steve would be able to take on more responsibility and move up in the organization if he were based at the home office.
After two RV business trips which really was to see if we'd like living here, we decided that yes, we'd give it a go. A couple weeks ago we fired up the RV again and drove out to Cheyenne so that we could look for a house to rent. Yes, it's winter here in Cheyenne, and no, RVs are probably not the best winter abode. (There's only two other trailers here in the campground plus the managers who live in a house.) We'll be back in California in a couple weeks to pack up and take care of things there, visits to friends and family, etc. In the meantime, this is our home away from home.
I know, not much snow compared to the northeast but for a California girl like me, it's quite a bit. Ya gotta remember that I was born and raised in Los Angeles, home of almost 365 days of sun, well not quite but it seemed like that. It's actually not the snow that we have to get used to, although Steve did sell his used Volvo to get a used Yukon with AWD (our new to us snow vehicle). The wind is what we really have to work around. If you don't watch out it will blow things out of your hands and across the prairie.
So far our fresh water tank froze, then the housing for the freezer's ice maker froze and cracked, and finally the black tank froze along with the sewer hose that we left connected outside. Ooops! We took care of the fresh water and grey tanks by putting an electric heater in the basement. It's plugged directly into the power pole so that it's not taking away from the RV's power supply. The other day we had sun and hardly any wind so I took hot water and poured over the sewer hose at the two connected ends until we were able to unhook it. It had to be walked over to the sunny area so that the rest of it would unfreeze. Fortunately I found a new hose at the store and we could dump the grey tanks. I've been pouring hot water in the toilet so that we can unfreeze the black tank. I know, it's almost comical. Finally we got it done and then hurried to the store to get RV anti-freeze to prevent this from happening again.
On the inside of the rig we're quite toasty between two electric heaters, lots of blankets, and lots of clothing layers. Trust me when I say that RVs really aren't insulated and are designed more for warmer weather camping trips. We finally have a system down and are doing well. The dogs needing to constantly go outside does make for some funny bundling moments. They're loving the snow and colder weather. Of course they have nice wire double coats built in. When they're not outside, straining at the leash to chase the numerous rabbits they finally curl up and nap on the couch. Fiona's getting so big now and loves to curl up next to Fearghus. She doesn't like to nap a lot so sometimes I have to encourage her to nap by giving her some crate time.
Cheyenne itself is a lovely town. Sort of a bigger small town. (There's a quilt guild here and on Monday I'll go and check it out. Yay! No doll clubs though so I will miss doll gatherings with my friends.) We're looking around and trying to decide where we'd like to live. So far we're smitten with the idea of living a few miles outside of the town proper in the rural section, maybe with a few acres of land. The prairie is beautiful, especially at sunset. Here's a few pictures of last Sunday's drive.
Horses lining up to get out of the wind. I wonder who gets the short end of the stick and has to be the tail end? Funny enough, this is over near a street called Crazy Horse. There's an entire neighborhood of Indian named roads, Cochise, White Eagle, etc.
Just around the corner from the horses we were enthralled with how the wind was blowing the snow across the road. It only snowed about an inch or so and the wind is what really makes all the big snow drifts. In a few days most of the snow on the roads were melted and just left in the ditches. The older homes have mature trees as wind breaks while the newer built homes have little tiny foot high trees. Translation, no wind break at all.
This land was in a new development about twenty minutes outside of town. It was two tracts over from a house that was about 95% perfect. Of course we're not looking to buy yet. We'd like to rent for a couple years and see how we feel then. In the meantime we'll probably rent out the California house and dream of where we'll end up. But we really loved this piece of land. It was on a bluff and nothing would be built for decades behind it. You'd get a beautiful view of the prairie and on clear days you'd be able to see the mountains in the distance. Yes, just lovely land. And so our Wyoming adventure begins.
Best wishes Tami and family! Don't forget to check out the Wind River Range. Camped there years ago. What an adventure!
Posted by: sue mcfadden | February 14, 2013 at 10:35 AM
What a huge change for you! I wish you the best, and hope that just the right home presents itself soon!
Posted by: Sue K | February 14, 2013 at 11:22 AM
What a big change! We went from north to south and it turned out to be a big culture and weather shock for me. Not that I'd go back though!! :-)
I'm looking forward to your adventures. I've never been to Wyoming!
Posted by: Katie | February 14, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Well, this will spice up the adventure factor, won't it.
Having lived much of my life in SoCal our move to the mid-west was interesting.
Four season! A new concept to me, was wonderful. I love the changes, the time flies by with something new with the change of seasons.
You will enjoy this sort of change, I'm sure.
Hand knits are a lovely addition to our wardrobe, as well as practical.
Valentine hugs
Gerry
Posted by: Gerry H | February 14, 2013 at 01:56 PM
Congratulations to both you and Steve on your new adventure. May it bring many years of joy and explorations to you both and continue to open new doors and paths for you both.
The property looks wonderful, enjoy it and be prepared for many amazing sunrises and sunsets in th years to come.
Posted by: Sandi H. | February 14, 2013 at 02:20 PM
What an adventure you are on!
I am excited for you. Sending (((warm hugs)))
Posted by: Natalie, the Chickenblogger | February 14, 2013 at 04:33 PM
Scary and exciting and heartbreaking all rolled into one!
Posted by: Mary Anne | February 14, 2013 at 07:12 PM
Yee ha! Awesome rodeo there in the summer! Cheyenne Days is one HUGE party! Only time I've ever been there, lol. Too windy for me! Best of luck to you guys!
Posted by: Judi W | February 14, 2013 at 09:57 PM
Welcome to my part of the country- I'm just a wee bit south in Denver. What an adventure!
Posted by: Samantha | February 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM
What fun! Good luck to all of you on your new adventure. I love the pictures of the prairie. are those horses wild?
Posted by: Heera | February 16, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Hi Tami -- how did I miss this post last month? Congratulations on the big move... My DH (who works in wind energy) has a t-shirt that reads "Wyoming Wind Festival: 365 days per Year", so I'm happy to hear that it's true!
Posted by: Floribunda | March 13, 2013 at 10:03 AM