270 Happy Hauling

Happy Hauling

It all began in 1968. And it hasn’t let up. We have hauled more items than we care to count up and down the highways.

Our first big experience took place with a rented trailer for the move from our home state to a new place of residence in Virginia. We hooked the device to our Pontiac GTO and headed north. That was relatively painless since we had very little in the way of possessions. But that was definitely the beginning of this trail of carting

That evolved into moving furniture finds from Virginia to family members in North Carolina and on and on from emptying our parents houses to helping our children move and settle.

A few highlights of those trips include strapping a 30-foot ladder that folded in half atop a Buick Skylark. It was tied to the front bumper on top of the windshield and nose of the car. My husband just had to bring it from his parents’ house to ours which was about a seven-hour drive through mountains. Luckily, we were not stopped because I can’t imagine that was legal. We did start driving a station wagon that would hold more but the ladder would never have fit! 

As we progressed to a truck--Ford F150, I often thought of the Beverly Hillbillies as we piled many items on top. 

A dog house that was made for a very large Rottweiler was positioned in the middle with straps holding each side. This was when we needed to move the house for the dog who was going back to live with our son. We also rented a cab for the back of the truck on one occasion when the dog was sick, and we had to deliver him to our son. 

We never hesitate to accommodate our families on what we could deliver or pick up. Once our daughter was due to come home for spring break when one of those massive three-foot March snowstorms so famous in Virginia hit. My husband didn’t hesitate and loaded up the bed of the truck with snow and a shovel. As our daughter waited on the campus, several friends told her that her dad would never make it and she replied, “You don’t know my dad!” And of course, he made it. Took the shovel out of the back, refilled the bed of the truck with snow, and continued on his merry way with daughter in tow.

Dressers, desks, tools, cradles, and many, many other items made the trips from one destination to another. Sometimes rental options are used especially when emptying out parental homes. This was avoided when possible because we didn’t want to spend the extra money. We not only are highway haulers, but we are also thrifty movers as well. 

Our latest purchase has been the best when it comes to hauling. We have a truck with a full back seat, and a bed. We never thought this type of vehicle would suit but we love it, especially certain times of the year such as the holidays and beach trips.

Usually, the back seat of the truck, as well as the bed, are completely crammed for holiday hauling. Same goes for the beach trips that have become more frequent with retirement.

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In addition, biking has become second nature with my husband so add a massive bike rack and bicycle to the load. Backing up can be a challenge, especially when we sometimes forget it is there. 

And of course, I can’t forget the return trip from New York City with a full table saw strapped in the back of a pickup truck. Those streets were a little tricky to navigate, but my determined husband will never miss a chance for a challenge even when vision is obscured by the enormous load in the back.

I wish I had photos of all of those escapades, but I ask you to imagine a truck filled to the top with various valuable items. Sometimes it feels as if it is a miracle when we make in unscathed. Please don’t be too critical when you see these loaded vehicles on the road.

I often wonder what other families do. Hopefully, they are as crazy as we are and bring whatever it is to a new destination when requested. Maybe not. Could be they all stay put and don’t have to haul anything! I can only imagine.

                                               Savvy Frances