Unchained Preppers
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kentactic on June 13, 2013, 03:56:56 PM
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So i liked the response i got in the 10 items thread so i figured id reach back out to the UP community.
I contacted my retirement plan provider. To bring you up to speed its a failing system so hoping it will exsist in 30 years when im old enough to retire is out of the question. So i found out if i dumped my retirement today id have $10,000 in hand. To do this i must no longer be employed with the city of course. Many of you may already know i want out of CA.
Id like to hear ideas of how i can escape CA with these funds. How would you do it? Should i keep saving up? I want to go to a snowy state with loose gun laws. I was thinking Idaho but am open to others. I could tent camp it for a year on that much money while i try to get established.... Not ideal but hey...
Maybe youve got a spare cabin your lookin to sell for 10k?
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Here's a suggestion and it's long winded as is my style...
1) Find three states you would like to live in and what area's of those states. Make sure you visit those states not
for a day or two but 2-3 times at a week at a time.
2) Figure out what you can do work wise there.
3) Take your $$$$ and leave and move into an apartment in the area you would like to live in- Don't touch your
money!
4) Work like a coolie (Can you say that?) and put every dime you can in the bank for 6 months. While working like
a coolie, look for some property - If it has a house great BUT that should not be a deal breaker. If after 6
months you could add another $10K to your stash you could buy a chunk of land, with a loan, with 20 - 40%
down. So that means you could buy a chunk of land for $50 - 100K.
5) If there is no house buy a 20' x 20' wood shed, insulate it, add a shower in one corner, add a wood stove,
etc. If you do it right it will cost you $5K total.
6) Go back to working like a coolie and put the money away with the idea that you were going to:
a) Pay off the loan on the property, and or
b) Buy a cabin kit to build a real house.
Another twist: We have a forum member (1000Meter) who is making good $$$$ in North Dakota. There are a shit-ton of jobs there and you can make good money. Better money than where your newly purchased property will be in a job. You could do much of what I wrote above faster with a higher income.
Last, if I was a 25 something, and wasn't involved with a lady; I would do exactly what I described above. What a cool 3-5 year adventure! :fuckYeah:
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Truthfully? $10k isn't much in today's economy, but you do need to GTFO of California. If it were me?
#1 Talk to 1KM. Dennis is a stand up guy. He may not be able to find you a job where he's at, but he can point you in the right direction. Those flat plains are practically beginning for a long distance shooter ;)
#2 Find a prepping group. May take a minute, but I've seen more people looking for investors of like minds to go in on property. If you find yourself in those shoes be sure if you're investing to set up a corporation on the property.
#3 Become a mountain man. Literally. Pioneer it up and figure out what you need bare minimum to survive. A small lot of land, small building with the basics, a good field with lots of light for growing, and call it a day.
#4 Wwoof it. http://www.wwoofusa.org/ (http://www.wwoofusa.org/)
#5 Leave the country, but I don't see that making you much safer unless you find a small middle of nowhere location.
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Thanks for the input gentlemen i appreciate the detail of your posts.
I would be pretty open to the idea of mtn manning it. Thats why i asked if anyones got a shitty cabin theyre sellin.
10k isnt much is right.
Id like to leave CA, but the more i think about the hassle of it all, the risk, leaving all family and friends behind... For what? The ability to carry a gun? When the SHTF there are no laws... Im seemingly abandoning everything i know so i can have a couple years of homesick and freedom? Im all over the place on this topic. Lol
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"A Journey starts with the first step and is completed one step at a time" Some Chinese saying that JohnyMac has stolen and made his.
Go to Idaho for a vacation and sleep in a tent as you first said you were going to do. If you do not you will kick yourself in the butt somewhere down the road.
I have my opinion (Shocker there) on family's, freedom, lawlessness and the unbelievable amount of people that will pray on each other in Southern California when (not if) the collapse happens.
Focus on your first step...O-Kay?
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I dont know now... Im going to have to put a pin in this dream for now.
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It's okay to step back and re-calculate things. At least you recognize the pros and cons of your situation. :thumbsUp:
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I dont know now... Im going to have to put a pin in this dream for now.
Don't throw in the towel already man. You just need to think it through a bit more. It's a major decision. It's not like you're just taking out of your retirement. You're planning your future. The issue I think a lot of us have is which future reality we're going to be living. Too many seem to think we'll all be in our 60's and 70's playing golf everyday, living in a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom estate, with a 21 year old model we met on a cruise.
Maybe that's a bit on an exaggeration, but you get what I mean. Living modestly doesn't mean being poor. We're dealing with major inflation as is. Let me put it this way. Four or five acres of land. A small two story building, or cabin kit with the basics: well water, wood burning stove, insulation, wood paneling, a little carpet and some tile. What more do you need? I've been considering something like that for my family of three. You can do it, but it's going to take time and planning.
#1 Figure out where you want to go.
#2 Start looking in to the housing and land market. My favorite sites to check out are landandfarm.com and zillow.com
#3 Start researching local small building companies. Price out a small building or cabin. And calculate in the cost of what you NEED.
#4 Look for work or figure out a source of income.
#5 Make it happen.
While doing this consider the life you live now and the life you want to live. Is there dross you can sell to help make it happen?
What kind of growing seasons are you looking for?
Do you want livestock?
Food for thought man, but don't put it on the shelf just yet. Hate to see you stuck out there.
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I dont have a wife or kids. What i do have is a brother and a best friend. If i leave them behind then theres no point in going. I thought i could but thinking through this more its a sorry exsistance to be alone and leave behind all your loved ones in a place your fleeing because its too dangerous.
Could any of you abandone your family in hopes of surviving alone? I thought the point of prepping was to protect your family? No theres no way im leaving. Im glad i posted this though.
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No worries Ken...It was a good exercise. Also, I hope that you know that there are a bunch of folks out there that like you and want the best for you. Friends are more valuable then gold! :cheers:
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Ken, you could still figure out a BOL, even if your staying in Cali. Then you still are nearby your family and friends. And when SHTF, then you can take them to the BOL. Love it when a plan comes together. :thumbsUp:
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Agreed to both of you :thumbsUp:
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I'd go live with 1000Meter personally. That'd be pretty cool I think. I need to visit some of you guys sometime come to think of it. Anyway, back on topic..
I totally agree with Crudos, at least for the time being. If you can get a job and get some decent money, with enough to save up to set yourself up with a good BOL, then by all means go with that. That's what I'd do, especially with me being so close to so many family members (we're almost like one of those old Scottish Clans really), so I feel where you're coming from on that aspect.
But, I'm sure you'll come up with the best option that'll suit your needs, which is what really matters, and you know that us on here are always ready and waiting to help out a fellow member when they need it.
Cheers buddy!
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Thanks Crudos
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A lot of sound wisdom above. Yeah Ken, sometimes (more often than not) what we'd like to do, and what we can do, isn't the same thing. I still have thoughts of being a mountain man. (maybe when my youngest is on her own, one year) Just play it by ear, and if the time ever comes, you'll know what to do. Good Luck!
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I feel ya on this one Ken. I would love to move to Washington state. But im married with 2 kids and a 3rd on the way. I remember when i was in my twenties and had the ability to roll out with my jeep and a couple of duffle bags and just go where i wanted. Ur getting some solid advice from some guys who have allot of experience. I guess my contribution to their advice is this. your a young guy, and now is the time you can afford to take the big risk. you can fall on your ass and still recover quickly. Good luck with this one man, Im rooting for you. :cheers:
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Ken, you are right, but 10k IS enough to get you out of the state. There's all kinds of high-paying work here, especially for contractors or maintenance peeps for one of the oil companies. The railroad is screaming for people, too, and they pay like 27 bucks an hour to start. The joke here is if you have a pulse you have a good job. :zombie1:
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PM me if you have any questions. ND jobs.com
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Id like to leave CA, but the more i think about the hassle of it all, the risk, leaving all family and friends behind... For what? The ability to carry a gun? When the SHTF there are no laws... Im seemingly abandoning everything i know so i can have a couple years of homesick and freedom? Im all over the place on this topic. Lol
I lived in the NYC area my entire life. About 5 years ago I moved out to AZ, and I did it with only about 10k in the bank, the cost of living in other states will be significantly less than in CA.
I don't miss my former home for the most part. My family, what's left of them, visits me here, although I find myself frustrated in my attempts to get them to get out before it's too late.
Also, think of all the people in the past who left their homelands to come to America to be free, that's essentially what you are doing.
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My 2 cents:
I know you said you wanted to move to a cold climate... but you should take into consideration the lower cost of living to be found in the southeast, and also better state economies. Your $10k will go further there. Just sayin.
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I live in the snow belt up here in N.W. Pa. Believe me, snow sucks after a while. I use to like it, but the older you get, and the more you have to deal with it, the more it SUCKS!
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In 1980, my wife and I picked up everything and moved from the Philly area to Seattle, WA. Didn't have a job and only $3k in our pocket.
We would go back to Philly every other year. My wife's parents would fly out to Seattle every year for a week. My mom and step dad would fly out to Seattle the years we didn't fly home.
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Whatever happened to just goin for it? Im over here overthinking it. I use to be able to quit a job at the drop of a hat. I really need to nutt up, get a plan and do it.
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You will in your own time. Please go camping as you planned though. :)
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Whatever happened to just goin for it? Im over here overthinking it. I use to be able to quit a job at the drop of a hat. I really need to nutt up, get a plan and do it.
Yeah, we all use to do things at the drop of a hat Ken. lol As time goes by, your options can get more limited. How young, or old, of a man are ya? If you don't mind me asking.
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Whatever happened to just goin for it? Im over here overthinking it. I use to be able to quit a job at the drop of a hat. I really need to nutt up, get a plan and do it.
Yeah, we all use to do things at the drop of a hat Ken. lol As time goes by, your options can get more limited. How young, or old, of a man are ya? If you don't mind me asking.
Im only 26. Ive been meaning to do my intro...Im pleanty young enough to give this a try i think.
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You will in your own time. Please go camping as you planned though. :)
:thumbsUp:
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Whatever happened to just goin for it? Im over here overthinking it. I use to be able to quit a job at the drop of a hat. I really need to nutt up, get a plan and do it.
Yeah, we all use to do things at the drop of a hat Ken. lol As time goes by, your options can get more limited. How young, or old, of a man are ya? If you don't mind me asking.
Im only 26. Ive been meaning to do my intro...Im pleanty young enough to give this a try i think.
Yeah, 26, you could always have the mind set that you're in the military, and have to be gone a few years. Other than visits, here and there. A year or two, you could make up your mind. Head back home, or re-up. Just a different way to look at it.
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Ken, I pondered on this a while, as I ate a couple of sandwiches. I got out of the Navy, when I was 24. (4 years in) While I was in there, it seemed like I was missing so much at home. "Wow, what are they all doing back home? I bet they're having a blast every night and day, and I'm stuck on this damned ship." When I came home on leave, after hugs for mom, high fives and handshakes with guys and gals. Things would settle down, and it would be like, " So whatcha been up to?", "not much" , "yeah", "yeah". And you're off again. And when you get out, it's like nothing ever happened, you just kind of pick up where you left off. I don't think it made a bit of difference in any relationships with people. And the 4 years that seemed to take forever, now looking back at, was such a tiny part of my life, and so long ago. Like you with High school, what probably seemed like your whole world at one point, is nothing more than a few memories now. The same way through life, each segment of it becomes a few memories later. I remember hearing my kids giggle out loud as babies, but don't remember every day of it. Now, I hear them laugh as teens and young adults. It's all just a ride man, enjoy it! Wow, thanks Ken, for making me feel so damned old. LOL
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Hey Ken, because of my line of work I had to leave home looking for opportunities.
In the beginning it was kind of hard, but you get used to it, luckily these days we have technology, you can phone your family or chat with your friends.
You need to look forward and decide what is better for your life, you're a young man, you have time to do a test run, if it doesn't work you can go back to Cali without problems. Just give it a try.
Go visit your candidate places to move, and live in them a few days, get a feeling of the people and the town.
Also, when deciding where to move, consider that we could have a SHTF situation, OR NOT. So, plan to live in a nice place.
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LIke Bear Claw Chris Lapp said:
"Many a child journeys this high to be different, to get from here what their natures couldn't get them below. It comes to nothing. Can't cheat the mountain pilgrim."
I don't know, I just really like that movie.LOL
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Two words, Ken, travel trailer. Put a few $$$$ toward a travel trailer, go to Idaho (or wherever) and rent a small chunk of dirt in an RV park with utility hookups. You can live on the super cheap eating beans and rice while you figure out the job thing and save up enough cash to buy a little land with a well. Once you get some land and get your travel trailer settled, build a storage building for your preps, build/acquire the things you need to be reasonably self-sufficient, then build a little energy efficient home once you feel prepared enough to divert some attention toward new digs.
If you have too much to fit in a travel trailer when you leave Cali, find a cheap storage facility to rent where you can temporarily house some shit.
The best thing about a travel trailer is, if you don't like the first place to move to, you just drive on to another. This way, no matter what, you have a place to stay and you don't have to make any big decisions until you're ready, aside from the initial decision to leave.
Too many people struggle through life making sacrifices that they perceive as benefiting others, in lieu of pursuing their desires, when in reality, taking a short amount of time to be "selfish" and improve your own lot in life, can be far more beneficial to those around you in the long term. Don't see this as abandoning your brother and friend, but as you traveling ahead of the group to set up camp. Instead of standing around at the bottom of a peak waiting for others to decide they want to climb it, summit that shit and lower a rope for your family to follow.
Find your peace dude, you seem miserable in Cali...
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WOW thatGirl :facepalm: that's flippen brilliant! :thumbsUp:
A friend of my brothers who is going through a nasty divorce went out last year and bought a small motor home. We cleared space for it up at the cabin. The plan is for him to BUG OUT to the BOL if SHTF with his 4 year old.
Thx to the Marcellus Shale Formation in the general local of our BOL - There are a bunch of single and married guys living out of their trailers / mobile homes as housing is scarce. Electric and plumbing hook-up is around $200- a month.
Great idea thatGirl!
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Damn T-girl! Get on with your wise self and what not. LOL Good advice girl! ( It's not Bear Claw Chris Lapp stuff) But good advice. LOL
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LIke Bear Claw Chris Lapp said:
"Many a child journeys this high to be different, to get from here what their natures couldn't get them below. It comes to nothing. Can't cheat the mountain pilgrim."
I don't know, I just really like that movie.LOL
That's a great quote, HJ! That movie is full of hard lessons being learned that can be applied to all sorts of things in your daily life. For instance, Jeremiah learns quickly that it's not wise to embellish on your resume-- "you know how to skin grizz?" :thumbsUp:
Skin Grizz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcsXC2xFis4#)
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Travel trailor, genious! Good analogy too tgirl :thumbsUp:
Thanks HJ, all good points
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One of my favorite scenes! You're right, that movie is full of a lot of good wisdom. My all time favorite movie. Followed very closely by " The Mountain Men" with Charleton Heston and Brian Keith. :thumbsUp:
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So an update. I put my 2 weeks notice in at work. Im locked in now. All told i might drive out of CA with around 12k in my pocket. Im shootin for cheyenne wyoming. Mtn is only a stones throw away so thats cool.
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Nothing but good luck and blessings for you Ken in your new adventure.
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Congratulations Kentactic for throwing off the chains.
Hopefully I speak for the entire forum that we wish you the best in your travels and trek. If you need anything I and the rest of the forum are here...You just have to ask. :thumbsUp:
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Thanks guys it means a lot. Ill keep you updated as to how things are going.
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So an update. I put my 2 weeks notice in at work. Im locked in now. All told i might drive out of CA with around 12k in my pocket. Im shootin for cheyenne wyoming. Mtn is only a stones throw away so thats cool.
A quote from Top Gun, " Ballsiest move I've ever seen man!" Good Luck Ken! Go for it, if life isn't an adventure, it gets pretty damn boring.
:pirateThumbUp:
:king: We applaud you!
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Good luck Ken, and God bless. If you are ever in NW North Dakota you have a place to stay. (Mebbeh I'll just be using you to develop good long-range rifle skills). Hahaha!
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Be careful Ken, and enjoy the adventure! Go East young man! Oh, and don't forget, "Watch your top knot."
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Good luck Ken, and God bless. If you are ever in NW North Dakota you have a place to stay. (Mebbeh I'll just be using you to develop good long-range rifle skills). Hahaha!
Lol thanks man. If i cant find work in cheyenne i might just take you up on that.
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Be careful Ken, and enjoy the adventure! Go East young man! Oh, and don't forget, "Watch your top knot."
Roger that!
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@ Sledge. Thanks dude. Im actually kind of terrified. I need to look at it as an adventure not a set in stone life changing decision. Although if it goes well it could change the course of my life and im totally open to that. I tend to way over think things. My mind is my biggest obstacle i think.
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You guys are some of the few who can understand my decision. Im thankful for the support. :thumbsUp:
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??? Damn, that was quick. Best of luck man. Enjoy the adventure and the open road.
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Best of luck, Ken! As a fellow over thinker, I understand how uncomfortable it is to embark on an uncertain journey, but that's also what insures your success. It is clear that you have the life skills and intelligence to make this move work for you. I'm looking forward to meeting Wyoming Ken who posts pictures of majestic back country and invites us to come fly-fishing some long weekend ;D
Just remember, there may be some snags along the way, but it will all work out-- you got this! :thumbsUp:
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Best of luck, Ken! As a fellow over thinker, I understand how uncomfortable it is to embark on an uncertain journey, but that's also what insures your success. It is clear that you have the life skills and intelligence to make this move work for you. I'm looking forward to meeting Wyoming Ken who posts pictures of majestic back country and invites us to come fly-fishing some long weekend ;D
Just remember, there may be some snags along the way, but it will all work out-- you got this! :thumbsUp:
Im looking forward to being that guy aswell, thanks ThatGirl :thumbsUp:
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??? Damn, that was quick. Best of luck man. Enjoy the adventure and the open road.
thanks WW :cowboy:
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Don't be afraid, Ken, you will be okay. You will find more freedom in Wyoming than you EVER would in Cali. I'm nearly drunk off the "freedom index" here in North Dakota. :thumbsUp:
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I dont want to jinx it but it sounds like i might have landed a job doin irrigation work in the warm months and drivin a plow in the winter. After he heard my experience he said hed hire me on the spot if i was there. Waiting for the secratary to call me now....
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That's great Ken! I hope it goes good. :thumbsUp: HaHa, you said you wanted snow, it sounds like you might get all you want. If it works out, and your plowing, remember, that stuff is pretty, but slippery as Hell. Be careful.
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If you do not hear from the secretary by close of business Monday, give him/her a call. This is something you would want to be a bit aggressive on. ;)
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If you do not hear from the secretary by close of business Monday, give him/her a call. This is something you would want to be a bit aggressive on. ;)
yeah she called me a few hours later. Tried to email me an app. but it didnt come out well so she mailed me one. Im getting the impression that i pretty much have the job but i just need to go through the motions. The hard part will be the next month and a half ill be bouncing off the walls waiting for my retirement refund check so i can go aswell as move out of my apartment etc. I made him aware that i will not be there until early august. Obviously hed like me there sooner but i think wyoming is pretty short on irrigation technicians, not suprisingly. The boss sounded very eager to hire me.
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A quick update for anyone who cares. Ill be leaving CA on august 1st at the latest. I start work in cheyenne WY on august 5th. Ive still got a million things to do. The next two weeks are going to be hectic. Hopefully it all goes relatively smooth. As crazy as this move seems im glad i went for it. Over the past few weeks ive become more comfortable with the idea. CA has nothing to offer me.
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A man with a plan, outdamnstanding Ken!
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Wyoming... nice! Along with Vermont, Alaska and Arizona; Wyoming is one the few states that allow concealed carry WITHOUT a permit.
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Wow Ken, I wish I could experience what you're about to do! :thumbsUp:
Keep us updated. I'll be waiting to see how everything turns out!
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A scillion years ago I ran a marine chandlerly in Marina del Ray. Many folks would spend 10's of thousands of dollars getting their boat ready to go to Mexico and then the south pacific. Out of the hundreds that got ready each year about 10 would actually leave the dock.
Every single one that left (We kept in contact) was 100% glad that they shoved off and experienced life. Ken you are doing the same thing. You will not be sorry...Trust me.
An old boss once told me if you didn't have doubts or felt a little uneasy you were not growing. Have fun man!!!
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Thanks guys. I need the support. Love the boat story JM. Im lucky enough to be pretty good friends with a few guys in their 50's who all are rooting me on. Theyve told me to stick to it even if i have doubts. In the end its the right choice.
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Good luck to ya Ken! Remember, it ain't a sentence. You're free to leave anytime you want. It's an adventure. Man, you are fortunate to be able to make such a move, that others might make, if they could, but have too many restraints. Not everything will be a walk in the park, but I'm sure you know that. Hey, there will be a whole new breed of women!!! Good stock to choose from, hardy. LOL Some different scenery, different foods, etc. Man, enjoy it all!!! Well, again, Good Luck! I have to get ready for work soon. Yep, it's suppose to go up to 90, and I'll be going to the same job, to do the same thing, I've been doing for the last twenty years. Oh Yay. Run Ken, Run. LOL :thumbsUp:
P.S. Don't forget your mittens. HaHa
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Sorry for the delay HJ but thanks man words of encouragement are always welcome.
Well for an update I'm currently in a hotel room in provo Utah. If all goes well ill be in cheyenne laying in my own bed this time tomorrow night. I made the first 11 hours drive today. Ill make the final 8 tomorrow. Its suppodidly a 16hr drive but I'm goin 65mph the whole way due to the uhaul trailer. I'm figuring 19 total.
-Kenny
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Thanks for the update Ken! :thumbsUp:
Keep 'em coming. ;)
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As an borderline old fart, and speaking for the other old farts on this site, it's safe to say most of us are totally jealous of Ken and his journey away from Kalifornia. The ability to up-root and move is a young man's game and an old man's dream. Safe travels Ken!
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I agree Crudos :thumbsUp:
First 1000Meter did it and now Ken! :dancingBanana:
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Well guys I made it to Cheyenne in one piece. Got all my stuff moved in thanks to mountainredneck. Without him driving up to help me move I'd be fucked trying to move all my stuff up stairs alone. He never made the transition to the new forum but you guys know who he is so I just want to make it known he's a stand up guy.
The apartments decent. It will work fine for my needs. Last piece of the puzzle is if the job I start monday turns out well.
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Thx for the update man! Good luck Monday! :thumbsUp:
I have never been to Cheyenne (Yup believe it or not) how about sending out a picture of your favorite spot so far.
Living precariously through Ken ;)
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Come on, no updates!? I need more moving info, dude! I also need some pictures, for my developing frontier-ish living porn addiction.
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I think Ken had to move back home due to a family emergency. I hope all is well.
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Ya I'm back in CA. All is about as well as it can be in CA.
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dammit man!
Got any plans to move back to the free country?
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dammit man!
Got any plans to move back to the free country?
I don't know man. Only time will tell if its in the cards.
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The trick to fleeing California is to not look back upon her golden coast. We left back in 1994 and never did look back. I returned last year and there was no light in her eyes.
Wish you the best of luck Ken.
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Sorry to hear that, Ken. Hope you're able to pursue the dream in the future. :)