Driving across the country can be stressful. There are so many things to consider, to think
about, to factor in, to plan…. Darren and I decided to move to Charlotte, NC from Laguna Hills, CA a couple of months ago and we put that plan into action. Booking U-Haul was a no-brainer for reasons I’ll explain at a later date, but today… today we learned a new perk to driving a U-Haul – road-side assistance or should I say, truck side assistance.
After driving for 12 hours yesterday, Darren was tired. We both slept like babies and were back at it again this morning. Breakfast at Denny’s in Albuquerque was a fitting way to start the day and I was sure to make a bathroom stop before hitting the road again. When I walked out to the truck, Darren was still standing outside.
“What’s wrong?” I asked casually.
He replied, “I locked the keys in the truck.”
Stay calm. Don’t yell at him! It’s fine… even though we have a newborn stuck outside with no formula or diapers in the dry heat of New Mexico.
“Are you serious,” I said as a approached and noticed the keys dangling from the ignition.
The following conversation is a little less appropriate, but I’ll sum up by saying that we were both frustrated to be standing in the Denny’s parking lot with our two month old daughter in NEW MEXICO in June!
I saw the number to U-Haul on the side of the truck and luckily had the phone with me. Darren called U-Haul and within minutes they found someone to come and unlock the door for us. It wasn’t free, but it was quick and the U-Haul representative was friendly. Her reassuring demeanor was exactly what we needed at that moment and we didn’t need the added stress of finding a locksmith on our own.
Tomorrow is another day and we learned a new perk of renting a U-Haul. Although Darren is an excellent driver and can maneuver the truck in places I couldn’t fit a car, I’ll be sure to check the ignition before getting out next time.
Oklahoma City tonight and on to Tennessee next; what adventures can find along the way?
Bucket List Publications 
Good luck the rest of the trip on this exciting adventure! My gut feeling is tomorrow will be a better day. Safe travels and have a great weekend 🙂
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Thanks Tim. I’m thinking tomorrow will be better as well.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Lesley
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Yeah you too Lesley! After the day you guys had, I expect nothing less than a good one for you tomorrow. Enjoy the journey across the south…
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I used to lock my keys in the car surfing at Seal Beach CA. I never failed to break in using a coat hanger. Maybe I got lucky those times. Years later, a baby was locked in a car and it was hot in San Bernardino CA, 100 F. They had a slim jim but couldn’t get the door open. I tried and got it on the first try. Next time call me I’ll do it for free!
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Lucky you had a U-haul. That is a scary situation without help. At least you weren’t on the side of the road (blocking out painful memory). I don’t know what it is about the South but I find it extremely comfortable for adjusting to parenting a baby!
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Did you have an incident? I’d love to hear about it. 🙂
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I’ve been thinking about writing it out since I first discovered your blog. It’s a long story of driving cross the country and I don’t really know where to start. I promise to get on it though. 😉
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Good luck with the move! Hope the rest of the journey is carefree.
I’m doing a self-guided cycling trip in Dordonne area of France- would love to submit–not sure how to send to you. Thanks. I return Tues. so will write next week. Lots of photos too.
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If it’s any consolation to Darren, he is not the only one who does “less intelligent” things. Last year, The Viking who was following my instructions, got our car stuck between two apple trees in an Italian orchard 🙂
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I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award. Please see guidelines on my blog, judysp.wordpress.com. Congratulations cheers Judy
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My one and only cross country move, 21 years ago, consisted of pulling the uhaul trailer behind a Toyota Camry. One that did not have the horsepower to pull said trailer through the mountains of Montana. Those were still the days I relied on dad as my driving companion. Despite all the turmoil, my fondest memory will remain of us gazing at the cloudless, starry Montana sky, untouched by light pollution, with absolute awe, instead of up under the hood of my smoking engine. Good times.
Would love to hear how you settled on Charlotte. Happy travels…these are monumental moments.
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Safe journey with your darling daughter. I can’t wait to read your next instalment.
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Been there done that. LOL Sometimes, as the years and locations have changed, I drive past the highway exit where it happened and it always is one of those times you HAVE to laugh.
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Ouch! That brings back some memories…. Have a safe and…. well, “uneventful” trip!
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I’m also of the glass half full orientation! Life’s about enjoying as you do so well! Have fun during the rest of the trip… 😉
I would love to do a cross country in the US of A some day… bucket list stuff… if ever there was! 😛
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You and your husband should swing up thru the Kansas City area and spend the evening at the http://www.newtheatre.com/home.html dinner theatre. My wife and I have been there several times and have never been disappointed!!!! 🙂
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Good luck….almost 4 years ago I made the move from San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX and drove a 30 foot Uhaul truck loaded to the gills during December (actually the week of Z
Christmas) thru wind & snow in Flagstaff, AZ with my then 2 year old Weimeraner Sam and with another car in tow. We got stuck in a snowstorm from Flagstaff all the way to Albuquerque, making an additional stop we’d not planned on. We like you had great customer service from Uhaul & all worked out! Enjoy the rest of the journey, the US has so beautiful landscapes to take in & you’ll look back on this road trip/move foundly over the years to come, giggling & joking about the time you had as you made your way to your new home, which I hope & wish that you enjoy as much as I do when I made my move. Safe travels…..And thank goodness for cell phones & customer service help lines!
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Glad it all worked out ok.
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THANKS for sharing and so happy things turned out well. I hope time has healed the “YOU DID WHAT?” portion of the experience.
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“You did what?” I love it! Healing is a process, again, again and again. Keys in the car would make a good book. I am not sure if I would read it. Life goes on.
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I remember those days! You are going to love Charlotte! When you start hankering for the ocean, hit highway 74 and come see me in Wilmington!
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Be sure to see the OKC Memorial…
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Yikes! At least it adds to the tale of your classic road trip adventure?
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I think the sense of humor and patience you both have is working just as well as the U-Haul. Have a safe trip.
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Moments like that can make or break a marriage. How you react in adversity says a lot about how strong your bonds are. My wife and I have had lots of those moments in our multiple moves around the country… Some we handled well, others we asked forgiveness for later! Have a safe trip.
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May I ask what made you move to ND from CA?
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Sounds like some of our family adventures.
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I can’t believe you are moving! Be safe on your journey and happy at your destination. I used to be notorious for locking my keys in the car when I was in my early 20s. Must have done it 3 times within a year…and always at least 2 hours from home. And in the day before cell phones. Good times, good times.
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Don’t be too hard on the guy. He didn’t mean it.
I think the biggest adventure with one of these moving crates is trying to get in and out of a gas station after driving all day. I got a little punchy with a 22 footer and thought it was a subcompact for some reason. It took me a good 1/2 hour to get out of that place!
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I was totally understanding of the situation and grateful that he was willing to do all of the driving in the first place. It could happen to anyone 😉
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I have to say this post really made me chuckle….good luck on the remainder of your move across the country.
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oh the adventure of roadtrips! Safe travels.
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I can’t believe this. I left the east coast and drove to CA fo meet the famous Lesley Carter, Darren plus baby and now you are headed to Charlotte, NC?! (just kidding) Oh well, one day our paths will cross. In the meantime I had to laugh at the story because at some point in life we have all left our keys somewhere in our cars. Too bad I no longer have my home in NM, you could have camped out there. Hope you have time to chunk down a meal at the Big Texan and if you go by way of Kansas City, give my hometown a wave. Keep it safe…
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I thought this post was a plug for U-Haul. I had to laugh when I saw the commercial about Ritz crackers. Love your writing and thanks for liking mine.
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Great post Lesley. I’m glad that I am not the only one (brother Darren) who manages to do things like this. Just another one of life’s lessons to cement you three together. You worked through this one, you can work through all of life’s problems. All the best for the rest of the trip. i look forward to reading the next instalment.
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Thanks Martin. We’re back on the road again today and just as happy as always.
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As you can see from all the comments, you are not alone in this kind of thing. Glad it worked out well for you. Best of luck in your new home.
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At least the baby wasn’t inside the car with the keys, then you would have freaked
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I think I would smash the window out in a fit of panic if that happened.
Miss you both already 🙂
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Am I the only one curious about – why the move? why North Carolina? I know you are from Canada but you seem to be such a California girl now I am curious. Maybe I just missed the memo (or blog).
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No real blog post to explain it. After giving birth to my daughter, I wanted to live somewhere that was family and community focused. Although California has more beauty than any place I have seen, I think the family environment that I’m looking for is on the east coast. Plus, do you know how much a home goes for in Cali. compared to NC? It is mindbolwing 😉
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All of that makes sense. I can only imagine the differences in the price of the homes. My theory is (if memory serves) you started out an East Coast Girl & you are just returning to your roots … a little further South…OK, a lot further South. 😉
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Good luck on the rest of your trip, hopefully you got all mishaps out of the way early and can enjoy 🙂 A good friend is currently en route to Oklahoma and they also had a great experience with U-Haul yesterday; their tire blew out and ricocheted into the gas cap, crushing the fuel line connector. U-Haul sent someone right out and got everything repaired with no hassles.
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Ohhh the adventures that can happen on the road – glad to hear everything worked out in the end – Good Luck on the rest of the trip! Enjoy Your Weekend:)
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Why am I not surprised at your move? You are the most adventuresome person I know. I’ll look forward to your adventures on the east coast now!
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What an awesome story. We can all share your pain in one way or another. Glad you are safe and on your way. Safe travels.
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Leaving California 😦 You will be missed. Have a safe rest of your trip across the country! I’ve driven from CA to TX lots of times. It’s a great feeling to drive across the country and see that there is still plenty of large open land that’s not developed. Enjoy nature and the scenery!
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lots of stress involved with moving…especially when there’s a new born involved! I hope the rest of your journey is at least a little bit less stressful. we moved from VA / DC to SC about a year ago, and you hit the nail on the head when you said “family and community focused.” we always knew we wanted to get back down this way after spending many years in NC. welcome, and best wishes!
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brutal! all the best!
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So you are abandoning sunny CA. 🙂 Get ready for humidity and snakes!
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Sorry to hear you had such a bad start to the day. Hope tomorrow will be better and best of luck with the move. Know what long distance moves are like:)
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Wow the adventure continues from way northeast, to way southwest, and back to the mideast. All the best to you guys!!!
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Welcome to North Carolina! I hope you will love it here as much as I do. If you want information about the eastern part of the state… give me a holler!!
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NC is a wonderful place to raise a child – both my grand-daughters live there with my kids. It will be a bit of a change but you should be happy there. So much to do adn see, I can’t wait for your blogs about the place!
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Have a good journey even though you had a slight “glitch” along the way.
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lol, we drive across the country at least once a year every year! Stop just west of Amarillo and check out “Cadillac Ranch” hopefully I’m posting this before you get there! OK city has a great memorial that should be seen from the bombing there, it looks amazing at night and really is something that makes you appreciate everything you have in life! There are so many more places to stop, there is a place called “Pops” just east of OK city on old route 66 and just east of that is a private yet open to public tribute to route 66, you can’t miss it!
Have a great trip!!!! (maybe you should hold the keys) 😉
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OUCH – a tough position to be in, and not easy to keep your ‘cool’ literally and figuritively. Glad it all worked out well – I’m sure you’ll have many more stories coming from this adventure. Best of luck.
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I was surprised about your move…You both seemed to love your setting from reading your blog…but, it sounds like you chose well…Good luck and be safe…~mkg
PS…Louisville is a great city too if you ever have the desire for a change again…
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We’ve made the cross country trip in a U-Haul between the East and West coasts. Something always happens that makes it an adventure! I’m sure you’ll love your new home. It’s a beautiful part of the country, a more relaxed atmosphere, and you get lots more for your money.
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Best of luck! I can’t wait for the many stories I am sure that you will have to tell. 🙂 Safe travels!
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Good luck with the rest of the trip and moving into your new home! I was in Mooresville a couple weeks ago (just north of Charlotte) and it’s a beautiful area. Check out Lake Norman once you’ve settled in. 🙂
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