Two Penske's Set at 70 - The Move Part One

It’s crazy to think that 4 weeks ago today we had two 26 ft Penske trucks loaded to the max waiting to be driven to Wisconsin. Yes, everything we “collected” besides Mitzi’s piano and some clothes where in those two trucks. I remember being sooo optimistic – thinking this was going to work out just fine! Well, it did with a few little bumps...

Thankfully Dennis (Mitzi’s Father) drove one of the trucks and I followed his tracks with the other truck. The two of us started our 1,500 mile journey across the “Great Plains”! We woke up early Saturday morning, grabbed a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich and started up Parleys Canyon. With a little snow showers here and there we made great time. Fortunately the Penske trucks had speed governors on them (Set at 70) so Dennis didn’t have to worry about me flying down the road out of control. Unfortunately it did not stop me from getting a “Warning” from the Wyoming Highway Patrol… Come on… 2 miles over the speed limit (65mph) – give me a break! I should have lied and said the trucks speedometer must have been off.

The first night we stayed in Kimball Nebraska at a dirty old Super 8… Thank goodness it was only one night. Overnight, it had snowed a bit but the roads were clear and we were heading down the road with high hopes to reach Des Moines Iowa. We were making great time and we were thinking that we may even make it further into Iowa until we hit Grand Island. From there Dennis and I were diverted off of I-80.

The situation was a little perplexing as it had not been snowing at all. We were told that there was blowing snow and blizzard like conditions just east of us. I said to Dennis – let’s keep going on the alternate. It doesn’t look that bad… Well, after an extremely long detour passing over 75 vehicles either off the road, flipped or crashed into each other – I was starting to see why I-80 was closed. We only made it to Omaha that day. We were exhausted and then had a horrible time finding our hotel because I typed the address incorrectly on the GPS...

The next morning I was hopeful that things could not get worse. Well they did; about 10 fold. I have never seen so many accidents, stranded vehicles and cars sliding off the road in front of me. Twice the back end of my truck started to come out from me, but somehow Heavenly Father kept Dennis and I on the road. It took us over a half a day to reach Des Moines – I was starting to wonder if we were ever going to make it.

Dennis and I were done, tired and wondering how much further we could go. We toped of the trucks and started down the freeway again. The roads were much better, even dry. By the time we had reach the east side of Des Moines we were traveling down the road at full speed! Miraculously we arrived at the new home in Waukesha around 5:30 safe and sound on day three.

I have to say – I don’t think I will do that again. At least without hiring someone else to do it for me!