The reason for our move is Vijay has joined a full time master’s program at a university in Seattle. He accepted the admission, resigned his job at Boardman and found part time work. And the journey started again.
We sold most of our furniture and all the big appliances. We rented a ReloCube from U-Pack and packed all our remaining belongings to fit in the container. We paid a holding deposit for an apartment in Seattle near the university. We made lists of activities, booked hotels in advance, and took all the precautions to prepare for our journey. We choreographed the whole thing like these guys in the song, and then started cross-country travel in our car with our Kittaya.
Every Move Choreographed
“I think whatever I shall meet on the road I shall like,
and whoever beholds me shall like me.
I think whoever I see must be happy.”
That was our motto for our cross-country road trip. Except for a couple of minor missteps, our journey went just like we planned without any major hiccups or problems. We traveled 2652 miles from Boardman, Ohio to Seattle, Washington in 5 days. On average about 450 to 550 miles each day, from 7AM to 5PM with 2 or 3 breaks in-between. Our route was I-80 from Boardman to Chicago, and then I-90 straight to Seattle. We made overnight stops at Madison (Wisconsin), Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Sheridan (Montana) and Missoula (Wyoming) and on the fifth day at Bellevue (Washington), a Seattle suburb. After crossing Wisconsin, there were few cars on the road, no speed limit or proper rest areas (most of the drive) and the weather was clear without any rain. We got a glimpse of Badlands in South Dakota but we didn?t enter the park. We made stops at Corn Palace, a corny tourist place in South Dakota and then at Mount Rushmore. We also made plans to visit Yellowstone national park but we were too tired by day 4, didn’t have much enthusiasm left to visit that place, so we skipped it. They were all near to I-90.
Kittaya, the darling that he is also behaved well. This was the first time that he ever traveled such a long distance with us and we were unsure how he would behave. Before our journey we went to the vet for helpful suggestions (he prescribed sleeping pills) and also visited several kitty forums to know about kitty behavior during travel time. Just like they suggested, he was calm and cool during driving time, napping or watching the road and at night time at hotels, being the new place and all, he acted anxious, making rounds, sniffing the furniture etc. The sleeping medication the vet prescribed helped him to calm down. We were reluctant at first to medicate him but he and we couldn?t sleep and so we had to give him a pill. We thought it’s best for him and also for us to get a good night sleep rather than feel anxious and half-awake at night times. He did not take food or water; neither did he use his litter box when he was in the car, during travel times. But at hotels, he accepted his favorite treats, only few. As a result he lost some weight. Once we reached Seattle and moved into our apartment, he quickly recovered, gained all his weight back.
We wanted to get settled in Seattle as soon as possible. So, we paid a holding deposit for an apartment instead of paying for the hotel stay. If we had not liked the apartment, we would have lost the deposit. But we took the risk just for that ‘home sweet home’ feeling. Being the hi-tech city and all, the rents are quite high in Seattle, particularly in the neighborhood where we were looking for. Even at 1000 dollars a month, all we could get was a small studio of 500 square foot with a small balcony. Once we reached Seattle, we checked the place, found it decent enough and moved in immediately. That’s our “moving” story.
Although I was very much tempted to regale you all about how “Fabulous/Frustrating” our moving experience with up-to-the-minute updates and photo diaries, I had to restrain myself. Mainly because, we made our move and travel itself a first and foremost priority so that we could concentrate on our journey and reach the destination safe and sound without any hitches and glitches. Not only that, we had to update family and relatives about our whereabouts. They were very concerned about our cross-country journey. With the Internet and newspapers, they do read about the things going on here, the widespread no-reason shootings and violence etc., so we had to assure them every minute of our journey that we were safe. With all this, I didn’t had much energy left for other things. This was the main reason for me to stop all my blogging correspondence. I apologize for not replying to you all, the kind and concerned people who sent me emails during this time. I sincerely hope you would understand my situation and I thank you all wholeheartedly that took time to send your best wishes and good karma towards us. I greatly appreciate and cherish it! Thank you!
Here are some photos from our journey for you interested folks. Most of these are road signs, places name boards, empty roads and views of I-80 and I-90 from our car, the regular touristy snaps.
More about our cross-country trip: From Vijay
The websites we went to for helpful tips and suggestions:
Seattle Visitors Bureau: For maps, city guides and Apartment guide
Seattle Indian.com: for temples, Indian grocery etc.
Fodor’s travel forum: Cross-country road trip tips, tips for traveling with a cat, information about Seattle neighborhoods etc
James Cross-Country trip on I-80 and I-90
Apartmentreview.com, Rent.com and SeattleCraiglist: for apartment search
And of course AAA: for detailed roadmaps, directions and hotels etc.
* Quote is from Walt Whitman – Song of the Open Road
Dear Indira,
Ha at last thr day dawned and i am happy that u are back into the groove. To tell u frankly without your blogging i almost lost interest in cooking and was counting the days till oct 7th. Congrats for the admission and indeed it is a huge step towards betterment. I wish that everything would sail smoothly and there will be no interruptions in the blogging………. welcome back and longing to see great recipes. By the way i am the first to comment ( patting my self on the back)…….It was an opportunity i think to do cross country trip which very few will have the chance. I think that u know how to take the maximum benefit of every thing in life which gives me inspiration to look things differently. WELCOME BACK ………….what a relief. phew
Comment by madhuri — October 7, 2006 @ 1:45 am
Hey Indira,
Good to see your back blogging. All the very best to you! Here’s looking forward to more wonderful recipes from seattle!
– Manisha
Comment by Manisha — October 7, 2006 @ 3:22 am
As much as I enjoy your recipes, Indira, this was just as sweet a treat — I’ve always wanted to get in the car and make a trip like that! The eastern terminus of I-90 is just a few miles down the road from here — maybe someday…
Love the photos. Happy to hear everyone is safe and sound, and look forward to your culinary creations from the West Coast 🙂
Comment by Linda — October 7, 2006 @ 5:14 am
Good luck with everything! I am so glad your move went well!
Comment by Nupur — October 7, 2006 @ 5:21 am
Hey Indira –
Welcome back. Good to hear about your cross-country moving adventure! I have always wanted to do something like that 🙂 but I do know how stressful it can get ! But I am glad you are back now :)..
Comment by Luv2Cook — October 7, 2006 @ 5:39 am
hi Indira garu…
I am your follower from long time but i never gave a mail to u..but from past 2months I really miss u.When ever I see this site i feel like i am in my native place a nice village in AP,Perecherla..really Missed your blogs from past 2months..thank you for comming back…waiting for your reply with a good recipe..
bye..
purnima
Comment by purnima — October 7, 2006 @ 6:28 am
Welcome back Indira, glad to know that the move went well. We wish you and Vijay everything the best in Seattle.
Comment by Archana — October 7, 2006 @ 6:36 am
Hi Indira,
Welcome back ! It is good to see you again. 🙂
Comment by Sangeeta — October 7, 2006 @ 6:45 am
Glad to know that you are back in Home Sweet Home. Best wishes to you and Vijay and hope all goes smoothly for you to settle down in your new place.
cheers!
Comment by Saffron Hut — October 7, 2006 @ 7:07 am
Hi Indira – best wishes to you in your new home! Glad to hear the move went well.
Comment by Cathy — October 7, 2006 @ 7:19 am
Hi Indira,
Glad to see you back:) and very glad that your move went well, cross-country roadtrip, i know it can be very tiresome, anyways here you are, with full of energy! All the very best for you and Vijay. Well narrated post with cool photos!
Comment by Karthi Kannan — October 7, 2006 @ 7:45 am
Welcome back Indira. 5 days of cross-country trip must have been tiring and filled with lot of memories. Glad to know that everything went well and you are now settled in your new apartment.
Comment by Pavani — October 7, 2006 @ 7:50 am
Hey Indira
That is lovely…the Boy and I have been planning on doing a road trip once he is done with his doctorate. Seattle is lovely and so is the University…have fond memories from my trip there. And what’s best is the fact that it is a walkable city (which happens to be a cause very close to my heart). So after you have settled down do regale us with stories (food and other) from Seattle. Here’s to many more stories and pictures!
Comment by anyesha — October 7, 2006 @ 7:51 am
hey Indira,welcome back.i am really glad that u r back.and what wonderful description of your trip.didn’t i say you can write a book..:)
Comment by Madhuli — October 7, 2006 @ 8:48 am
Indira,
neat write-up (as always).tried ur aloo dum recipe… relished it till the last bit.
Comment by Saritha — October 7, 2006 @ 9:38 am
Hey Indira, good to hear that you have reached safely and are settling down well in your new home. Congrats and best wishes to Vijay for his Master’s.
Your pictures sent me down memory lane when we drove across the US and back. We took the same route, except that we started in Cape Ann, MA and it was 10 years ago this summer and we didn’t have to worry about a kitten.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Comment by Manisha — October 7, 2006 @ 10:16 am
Can you share your food experiences during this cross country trip in the next blog?
Comment by jp — October 7, 2006 @ 11:25 am
what maduri said is very true – all of us have lost our interest in blogging – The last update date in our blogs are the true testimony –
I know what a hassle it is to move to such a new place. that too with one spouse studying full time !!! Well both of you from what we know thro your blog is that you are very sensible people with positive attitude. With that attitude you guys will do great wherever you are !!!
ok ok I stop !! Welcome back !!!
Comment by Revathi — October 7, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
Hi Indira, welcome back!! Glad to see you again…
Comment by Amutha — October 7, 2006 @ 1:01 pm
Hi,
Thank God, you are back. Missed your blogging, glad not to see the big baloon on your page now 🙂
Best wishes.
Comment by Babita — October 7, 2006 @ 2:31 pm
Welcome back Indira. You make even a cross-country drive such a pleasure to read. Really missed your posts.
Comment by krithika — October 7, 2006 @ 3:45 pm
Dear Indira, glad that you, Vijay, and Kittaya are safe and well. Please take all the time you need to adjust to this new life of yours: you have been so generous with us, your dear readers; please be kind to yourself especially now. Your blogging is missed, but your presence is still inspiration.
Comment by melissa — October 7, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
Hi Indira, Welcome back to the blogsphere and to the west coast. Seattle is a great city, the Pacific Northwest is so beautiful. Enjoy your new home. Best Wishes.
Comment by Sandy — October 7, 2006 @ 7:15 pm
Hi Indira garu!
Very very happy to see u back…..Anyhow belated “Happy Dasara”
Take care
bye
Comment by vijaya — October 7, 2006 @ 11:34 pm
Hi Indira,
its good to hear from you after long break.I understand you state..I wish you and your family good luck and wish new home in seatle brings good breaze and along with lots of happiness and peace.Welcome back with lots of recipes:-)
Comment by meena kandlakuti — October 8, 2006 @ 12:10 am
Good to hear you’ve settled down in Seattle, Indira! 🙂 Welcome back.
Comment by shammi — October 8, 2006 @ 12:18 am
Hey, did you see a short guy wave at you over a hedge by the road that evening you crossed into Wyoming? You did not stop for me! hehe
Well, welcome to the west.
Wishing you a warm home and a ‘victorious’ and ‘prosperous’ Navaratri.
~hope you get the clues!
Comment by Vidyanath Tirumala Penugonda — October 8, 2006 @ 12:31 am
I had to delurk to say, glad you’re settled and blogging.
Also to tell you I tried your Dried Ginger Ale when I was was starting to feel sick recently–I’ve never had a more dramatic and positive response to a remedy since I had the big drugs after my caesarean. Wow: I’m a believer.
Comment by lucette — October 8, 2006 @ 6:27 am
Hello Indira, Good to see you back. Glad the road trip was good without any mishaps. This is a major step in your life and I hope Vijay enjoy’s his student days again.
Comment by Shankari — October 8, 2006 @ 8:38 am
Happy to see such warm response from you and thanks for welcoming me back. Feels great!:)
Comment by Indira — October 8, 2006 @ 8:56 am
Welcome back, and welcome to your new home!
So happy to have you back; I’ve been waiting for 7 October to roll around!
Comment by Stephanie — October 8, 2006 @ 9:02 am
SO nice to make us all a part of your journey Indira…wishing you all the luck and happiness in your new place…
Best,
Nandita
Comment by Nandita — October 8, 2006 @ 9:35 am
Welcome back, Indira !! Congrats too !!
Glad everything went well with you guys.
Take care,
Mythli
Comment by Mythili — October 8, 2006 @ 11:41 am
Hi Indira,
Welcome to the West Coast. You are very articulate and express your experiences so well. Good to know that kittaya is getting adjusted to the new home always had thought that cats never like to travel beyond the place that they have gotten used to.
Take sometime to adjust yourself to the new surroundings and just to let you know that a whole bunch of us across this country are waiting to hear from you.
Take Care
Shobha
Comment by Shobha — October 8, 2006 @ 11:51 am
Good to see you back, Indira, and to hear about your long trip. Hope you enjoy Seattle.
Im looking forward to more of the “Bhakti, Bhukti” series from west coast!!
Take care
Comment by yum — October 8, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
Hi Indira
I am so obsessed with your way of blogging.
You won’t believe that during the period of your move, I used to check Mahanandi site everyday for any updates. I really admire you for the kind of description that you gave about your move.
Good luck!!!
Sailaja
Comment by Sailaja — October 8, 2006 @ 1:39 pm
Hey Indira,
Welcome back! Like the rest of the bloggers, I was also waiting for you to get back. Good luck in the new city!
Comment by Sangeetha — October 8, 2006 @ 1:45 pm
Yeah!!!! You are back (here) and have arrived safely (there). I have been thinking of you often and have missed your posts. I made your mango rice for dinner this evening and it reminded me that you would probably be back on line now…and indeed you are.
Glad Kittaya made it there with no trauma. When I moved 15 miles from San Francisco to the East Bay my cat spent the first month hiding behind my clawfoot tub. He has recovered and now owns the house…
PS – The Mango Rice was fabulous.
Comment by Diane — October 9, 2006 @ 6:36 pm
Hi,
I have visited ur blog,but leaving a comment for the first time! & was wondering when u’d be back! Well,here u r! Welcome back! A very nice description of ur journey! makes good reading! And I know what u say when u mention high rents! we pay abt $100 – 200 more for the same in Torrance! Highway robbery, don’t u think!?
Anyway, hoping that ur new home will bring u all sorts of good luck & happiness!
Comment by Manasi — October 11, 2006 @ 10:11 am
Hi,
Great !!You are back. We have all truely missed your messages and recipes. Those were really nices pics. That was an inspiring cross-country drive. Good luck and looking forward for more Seattle specialities.
Comment by Prati — October 12, 2006 @ 5:56 am
Hi Indira,
This thanks is long due…
My friend and I study in montreal…its been almost 2 years since we have been looking for a site where we can find recipes that resemble and taste like what they did when our moms made it.
One day my friend stumbled upon your site and since then it has been added to our “Favourites” list and visited regularly.
We follow your recipes to the “s” and it turns out amazing…so thanks a lot for sharing it with us!! We would have been pretty much lost without your guidance.
Comment by Vidya — October 13, 2006 @ 11:16 am
Dear Indira/ Vijay,
The description of the trip is great, as well the photos.
We wish you good luck in this your new endevour. We hope you have settled well in Seattle.
We have been follwoing your articles, and recipies and they are great always.
Regards
Comment by Vijay Pattem — October 13, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
How does one get in touch with you? email??
Comment by N — November 3, 2006 @ 4:09 pm