CRUNCH Time -> Shipping Boxes to Europe, Cleaning & And An Unexpected Curveball….
So this is it, our last few days in the US of A before we (hopefully) get on a plane to France.
This past week has been CRUNCH TIME, a crazy, exhausting week where we finally moved completely out of the RV. We managed a lot more than we thought we would and made a few discoveries in the process too.
We discovered that we had a bunch more “stuff” in the RV than we originally thought (yikes!) and had to make last-minute scramble-plans to handle that (we found a really snazzy solution). We became Master Cleaners and discovered that not all carpet cleaning rentals are created equal. And we finally finished & certified all our pet transport documents. This was the end of MONTHS of planning and we were finally there! Despite moments of serious doubt we had overcome ALL our barriers and completed ALL our “to do” items.
We were about to hit the home stretch….or so we thought.
A last-minute curveball that I hadn’t planned for (in any way) and that might derail our entire schedule hit us yesterday. Would we manage to leave or not?
So, that’s my quick update today…
Shipping Boxes To Europe via UPackWeShip
When we originally planned our move to Europe we were overly optimistic in how light we could travel. We had imagined, being the snazzy world-traveled nomadic experts we are, that we could just pack a few suitcases and be done (our friends Kate and Iain managed to do it, so why couldn’t we?).
It was a pleasant fiction, but alas it didn’t take more than a day of packing to realize that it was never going to happen.
Clothing was easy (we got rid of most of it), as was the RV stuff (most of it went to the new owners), but our love of cooking (all our great kitchen gear) and my emotional bond to my purple Hybrid Trek bicycle (can’t you just see me cycling the French countryside?) was our downfall. We recognized rather quickly that our “stuff” was going to take up more than just two suitcases and a few boxes. Now what?
So with just a week before we needed to be OUT of the RV I went into scramble mode to find a solution.
Shipping via a “regular” shipper like UPS or FedEx, even by slo-mo ground was going to be too expensive (several hundred $$ per box). Shipping via a moving company was also going to be far too expensive (it was WAY overkill and besides, there was simply no time to arrange it with only a week to go). What we wanted was something quick (needed to happen NOW), easy to do and not-too-expensive, and when I stumbled across this very good blog post from iheartfamilytravels I knew I’d found it. She used something called UPackWeShip and it seemed to be EXACTLY what we were looking for.
With UPackWeShip your stuff goes on a pallet to your destination. You order your “packing kit” online (there are several options to chose from & it’s super easy), the pallet gets shipped to you as a simple, large box via UPS (takes ~1 week) and then you can take as long as you’d like to pack it yourself (big time & money saver).
Once you’re done you simply schedule a pickup (can be done online within 48 hours of the required date). Then your stuff gets taken & makes its way slowly, but surely over a period of ~6-8 weeks to your overseas destination.
I immediately loved several things about the service:
- Clear & Easy Pricing – I was able to get an instant online quote simply by entering some basic details into their website (no waiting around for anyone to e-mail or call me back) & once I got that quote it was fixed. No hidden fees or extra gotchas. I loved how easy this was compared to “traditional” shipping companies that often require a ridiculous amount of details before they can quote you (and then take a day or more to get back to you with an actual price).
- Online Friendly Service – Absolutely everything, including ordering your packing kit, your import/export documents & your tracking can be handled online and via e-mail. You have a record of everything that happens, and if you don’t want to talk to anyone you never have to.
- Phone & E-Mail Service Is Excellent – If you DO want to talk to someone however, they are VERY responsive. I had a bunch of silly questions during our packing process and the phone response was outstanding each time. Their e-mail response was equally good (they typically answered my e-mails within 20 mins to an hour of getting them). I was super impressed.
So that’s the route we went. I ordered our kit on a Thursday, it was dropped off by the UPS guy the following Monday and we had the pallet packed and ready to be picked-up by Friday. We ended up with around 16 boxes, my bike and various other miscellaneous stuff, and the entire door-to-door delivery cost us ~$1500. Having shipped stuff overseas in the past, I knew this was a very reasonable deal.
We’ve yet to see it arrive in France, so obviously I’ll have to update you, but so far so good. I already know that our pallet is in SC (got an e-mail yesterday), and I already have confirmation of which shipping line it’s taking to Europe (got THAT e-mail today). Now we just wait and see on the rest….
Deep Cleaning The RV (Bissell Rentals Are The Best)
The other thing we spent the last week in “the beast” doing was deep cleaning everything for the new owners. We wanted to leave our baby in the best shape possible, so we literally spent days on this, going through cupboards, into corners & cleaning appliances.
The final step was cleaning the carpets. We have full carpet in the bedroom & a slice of carpet in the living room slide, which we replaced with Command Performance carpet from Home Depot when we originally bought the RV. I have to say that it’s held up really well. With regular vacuuming it looks good, but when we deep-clean it (typically around once/year) it really spiffs up. In the past we’ve either hired someone to do this (always turns out great) or we’ve rented a Rug Doctor. The latter is fine, but we’ve always found the results to be somewhat so-so. Rug Doctor tends to wet the carpets too heavily & leaves a residue which I’m not keen on.
We were on a time-crunch this time around, so we knew we wanted to rent, but we wanted to see if we could find something better than Rug Doctor. I’d read reviews online that Bissell was the way to go, and after watching a few comparison YouTube videos I was convinced. So we rented a machine from Lowes (~$30 for 24 hours) and tried it out.
Our results? YES, the Bissell machine was MUCH better than Rug Doctor!! I was impressed at how much dirt it picked up with minimal wetting, plus it was super easy to load and clean, and I really preferred that we could run it like a regular vacuum (it cleans in both forward & backward motion, compared to Rug Doctor which only cleans while pulling backwards). It left the carpets super clean & fresh, and drying only took a few hours. It’s a Wheelingit thumbs up!
Final Drop-Off & Final Pet Documentation Prep
We dropped off “the beast” in storage last week-end. It was a rather emotional (and surreal) moment, and the first time I truly and completely understood that we were leaving.
Up until that point we were still living in the RV, so although we’d already sold it and signed over the titles (we really didn’t own it anymore!), it still felt kinda vague and unreal. But the second we parked her in her spot and drove away it hit me full force.
Wow….we’re homeless and we’re really doing this…
The last few days we finalized our pet documents too. Those of you who read my blog post on this will know that you need to get Health Certificates from a USDA-certified vet (within 10 days of your arrival date) and then get them endorsed at a USDA office. Only THEN are your pets ready to fly.
We got our health certificates from the same vet that we used for microchipping & rabies (Oakland Park Animal Hospital), and then I went to the USDA office by Miami airport for endorsement. Since I’d made an appointment it only took 20 minutes (those without appointments had to wait 3 hours). It was super easy and it only cost $38. No problem at all.
And An UNEXPECTED Curveball
So here we are only 2 DAYS before we’re scheduled to leave for France. Everything is ready and done, all reservations are confirmed, all paperwork is complete, pets are prepped and we’re finally able to relax….or perhaps not? This is what we got hit with today….
If it was only us people traveling, this wouldn’t be a big deal. Just delay the flight and go a few days later, right? But with the 3 pets it becomes super complicated & stressful. Because of our pet bookings (which take time to confirm) & pet health certificates (which have very limited time validity) we can’t really do much except hope, wait and see. So we may leave on Friday or we may not…..send us some good {{vibes}} please!
Positive thoughts now streaming your way! 🙂
Best wishes for a speedy resolution to flight complications! I have thoroughly enjoyed following your US adventures over the past couple of years, and am proud to say that we have been full-timing it for the last 15 1/2 months – such a great lifestyle! Looking forward to reading about your overseas travels! Godspeed!
Adding you to the prayer line; I am confident that it will all work out.
Take a deep breath, find the humor in it, and apply that Wheeling It spirit!
Safe travels
Oh come ON, Air France, you can’t do this to Wheeling It!!!
Fingers, toes, and eyes are crossed for you!
Oh Wow! Sending good vibes that everything goes great for you. Air France make this happen, please!
Sending seriously good ju-ju your way!
Have followed you all for quite a while and use your campground reviews like the bible – can’t WAIT to experience your European travels virtually! You all also gave us so much hope and confidence when our yellow lab partially tore her ACL this past December. We had just moved into our RV 1 week earlier, and then that awful yelp happened while playing ball. I remembered Polly’s ordeal and re-read all of your posts. What a life saver that was!
Best of luck to you and the paws!
So glad to hear your girl’s ACL healed up well. It’s a super stressful process to go through, but most doggies heal up just fine. Polly is still going great (touch wood) almost 2 years on.
Nina
I have everything that is crossable crossed for you. I just can’t imagine this would pop up at just this time. Praying that you and your babies are delivered safely and speedily and we can all catch our breath when we hear from you after all is said and done. whew
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Air France, have some compassion for the furry and human bunch!!! You can’t do this to them. Sending positive thoughts so you may depart on time and the whole experience becomes a breeze!!!
Sending good vibes, fingers crossed! It will all work out.
We have been following your every blog since we bought our Beast and started our RV adventures 5 years ago. You have been so helpful, so informative. We talk about you to friends like you are our friends. We moved from Houston to Sarasota this year and so wanted to drive to Miami (or Bahia Honda) to meet you in person and bring you some Florida IPA’s but felt it was just too busy a time for you to meet two new friends. We have lived abroad and know this latest adventure will be wonderful. You WILL leave Friday. There are just too many people pulling for you! Best wishes.
Yeah, it was super crazy for us this past month, so I sure appreciate that (and I love the thought). Thanks for the good vibes too….
Nina
My husband Dave’s sister lives in Chiavari Italy. It is near Portofino. Should you need any help if and when you’re there ( and you would be crazy not to go there) please contact us. We know she would be glad to help you in any way she can. She is a great cat lover as are we. She has lived in Italia since 1987 so she really knows it. Take care!
PS. We took our 15 and 16 year old cats to Bogota Colombia from Lafayette Louisiana and they did just fine. We brought two rescue cats on a 15-hour flight back from Rio to Houston and they lived a good long life here in the USA.
Your “presence”, knowledge and participation in the RV world will be sorely missed.
Best of luck in your new adventure.
Been following along for some time now, and I have to say, this was one of the most ‘cliff hanger’ type of accounts I’ve read in a long time. And I didn’t dare skip ahead!
Once upon a time my Travelling Companion and I moved to Europe, where we hung around for roughly four and a half years as “Ex-Pats”, and we were ever so fortunate to have a number of services available to us by way of her company. Mind you, there were a few head scratching moments, but nothing as stressful as an airline strike or taking along pets. Our ageing cat stayed at home, and our “kids” (they’re middle aged adults to be honest) moved back home to keep an eye on the place etc.
Let’s hope it really is a “Good Friday” all around.
Cheers.
I do think that this is the last time our cats will be doing a big move like this. They’re older girls, so I really don’t want to put them through this stress again. We don’t really have the option of leaving them anywhere (I don’t think my heart could handle it either) so we hope for the best.
Nina
I want to thank you for all the valuable information you have shared with us, as new and now (8 years later) experienced full time RV’ers. Your blog has been so very helpful. I will miss your post about travel in the U.S. but look forward to reading about your wonderful new adventure in Europe. Safe travel for you two and the paws. Enjoy.
Crap. So sorry guys. Adding my wishes to the group that you are all on that plane on Friday and safe and sound in France this weekend.
We are wishing you a smooth crossing dear friends!! Moving your residence is always one of the biggest life changes you can make and you are off on a daring adventure. Bravo!
I can’t imagine the stress this strike thing must be causing, of all times for a flight delay … really?! Fascinating packing story and cool box … can’t challenge you guys in a game of tetris anytime soon. Looks like a deal.
Can’t wait til our next crossing of paths … it’ll be somewhere way cool no doubt. Bon voyage!
We are saying Bon Voyage as we know The Wheeling It Spirit and Will won! Safe travels for you both and the paws, may you have a great French meal with great French wine upon arrival that will make it ALL, all right!
Wishing you the very best of life. Thanks for your amazingly helpful blog!
Sending happy flying vibes your way, Nina, Paul and your furry faces kids!
We look forward to following along with all of your adventures!
Cheers!
Lisa and Jason Reich
I am remaining positive that all will work out for your flight across the pond! It will be fine! Thank you so much for your outstanding blog! You have helped us immensely in our travels these past two years as we crossed the USA from coast to coast. Safe travels for you through Europe!
All the best,
Lindy
Oh good heavens! You know, the one and only time I went to France and was planning a domestic French flight, they had a strike. This was three and a half years ago. I rebooked to the train, but in fact the flight went off as scheduled. Here’s hoping they don’t impact your flight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (If exclamation points count, you are golden.)
BTW, enjoyed the picture of Rand.
https://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/page_flottante/hp/news-air-traffic-air-france.htm Found this in a Google search. You probably know what Air France is saying…..
Good Luck Looking forward to reading your new adventure.
Fingers crossed for you!
After 10 years in the RV, Bev and I purchased a townhouse in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We are working on furnishing and outfitting it as we speak (type). I bring this up because there was some brief concern about our financial institution closing our accounts because we moved out of the country. At least that was the scuttle-butt I had read on the internets. 8^). Well, I called them (Vanguard) and they said “no problem.” Because we had established the accounts while US residents our moving out of the country would not be a problem. Whewww. 8^)
Stupid internet. 8^)
Fingers crossed !!! Safe travels and let the adventure continue !!
We won’t be moving to Europe any time soon…way too much work!! So sorry you have this curve ball in your way. You have done so much work and prepared meticulously for your move and now this. Fingers crossed everything goes well for you both and the paws:) Best wishes for a very successful move:)
Breathe in, breathe out, something is going to happen so you can board that plane. Here is wishing safe and healthy travels for all of you!
I want to thank you for all the well written RVing blog updates from the last few years! We began following your blog and travels about three years ago and then finally retired in May 2017, bought our RV, and have been on a great journey since then. You have provided much technical guidance, local area information, and the best campground reviews that I have ever seen. In fact, after having spent the winter in Florida, we are slowing heading north to mirror much of your well documented 2017 east coast trip from D.C. to the Fingerlakes region, to Boston, and the finally a couple of places in Maine for the summer.
Good luck on your transition to Europe! We will miss the detailed US reviews, but have several years of your archives to help plan our travels in 2019 and beyond!
Oh No!! Having moved overseas three times with pets, I know what you’ve been through and would absolutely croak if I got this message. I know you’re keeping track, but I had to google to see what the latest was and was hopeful at seeing this comment, “The carrier, which is part of Air France-KLM (AF.FR), said it expects to run 80% of its long-haul flights and 70% of its medium-haul flights operating to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.” Maybe they look at their manifests and say, let’s go with the ones that have pets on board!!
Yeah, the 80% number is encouraging (so I’m doing my best to stay hopeful), but they still haven’t been able to say for sure if our particular flight is still taking off. Checking obsessively and crossing all fingers & paws…
Nina
Safe Travels to all….. Sorry we never made a face to face meet up (we came close to meeting you and Paul in Oregon but Paul’s back flipped out and our meet up never happened)… Guess I can remove your phone number from my cell phone now. LoL Looking forward to updates from across the pond…
Oh yeah the back incident! We will never forget that. That was a tough few weeks for Paul, but it landed us in Bandon (which we ended up loving). Amazing how life turns out like that.
Nina
Oh, those feisty French! I was in Paris one weekend when the entire transportation system went on strike! No taxis, no metro, no buses. But what better city for walking…
I am sending all sorts of good vibes for a smooth journey. I hope you have some “down time” planned upon arrival!
Adding in my best hopes and wishes for you to have an uneventful but scheduled departure to begin your new chapter in your ongoing adventures.
Oh my golly!!!!!! Sending lots and lots and lots of good vibes! Knowing what a huge impact this will be to you and having no control over it-I just can’t imagine! I would be stressed to the max! Drink!!
I can NOT believe this! All your careful prep and planning and they go on strike?!?!?!? Merde. Fingers are crossed that you’ll be on one of the flights that aren’t cancelled. I am so looking forward to reading about what you two do next.
We;re sending all our most positive thoughts and love “out there” for a smooth transition from here to there….for all of you.
Dear Nina and Paul..I have followed you for years and enjoyed every word of your writing. This is my first post to your blog.. I couldn’t let you leave the USA without letting you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog. I have visited many places in the PNW based on your gorgeous photos and description. Wishing you and all the paws safe travels and I look forward to reading about your European adventures..
Nothing like those last minute unplanned things to jangle us a bit. We just spent a few days gazing at Mt Whitney and sending you soaring thoughts. Those Eastern Sierras sorta do that to one’s soul. So at this moment I hope you are soaring to your new starting point for wheeling it’s continued adventures, teachings and celebrations with your whole pack’
Cheers and can’t wait to read your first EU post or see that picture of you riding your purple bike in the French countryside with Polly beside you!
Aloooooha – Imkelina
I hope you were able to go. Best wishes and safe travel!!
Oh, that would be terribly stressful. I hope very much that everyone can be accomodated as planned.
Good luck and safe travels, all.