06/05/2001
So far, so good.
Our move was hard work but mostly uneventful. The movers appeared a few
days later than expected, but we just enjoyed staying in the RV in our
new driveway. When the movers arrived, they were quick to tell us that
we had gotten a great deal, which we already knew. The salesman had
grossly underestimated the total weight by thousands of pounds (by about
40%), the basis for interstate move pricing. We had insisted on a firm
price, not an "estimate", so we ended up saving $2 or $3K - no
complaints from us!
While waiting for the movers, we were getting acquainted with all of the
house systems - telephone PBX; alarm system; paging system; elevator;
backup generator; high tech controls for hot tub (1), hot tub (2), pool;
water pump and filtration system (we draw directly from the lake - the
system has 4 or 5 filters, a UV system, pressure regulators, etc);
computer network, patch bay and router; boilers; central air
conditioner; fire suppression system and a bunch of other stuff.
To give you another idea, I have counted over 140 light switches and 300
power outlets in 5 separate buildings. So, it's all a little more
complicated than our old house.
The only glitch so far has been the arrival of our cars, which we had
shipped from Redwood City on one of those big car carriers. The cars
have simply not shown up, despite being due last Tues or Weds. The
shipping company agrees that they were due then, says they might arrive
today, and blames the 3 day weekend. They can not explain why one extra
weekend day has added a full week to the ship time. They say they will
cover our rental car cost, but I am suspicious. Compared to everything
else that could have happened in this major move, I suppose a rental car
is minor.
More importantly, we are settling in, unpacking, and getting to know
Bellingham. The weather has been pretty good, and the people in town are
really nice and friendly. The life here is far less stressful than in
the Bay Area - everyone in the stores, the electrician, the fence guy,
etc. is happy to chat about everything because they have the time to do
so.
The dogs grasped the concept of their new home immediately. They love to
run up and down the stairs and around the whole house. The lake gets
some waves on our shore if the wind is up, and the dogs find it exciting
just getting their feet wet and barking like crazy at the waves.
The Bay Area concept of what makes a traffic jam and what constitutes
lines in the stores is very different from the local concept. There is
one major intersection that during rush "minute" can require you to sit
through two traffic light sequences. The locals are horrified - we tell
them to see 101 at 5 PM. In the local Haggans supermarket (the regional
chain - the nicest supermarkets I have ever seen in my life), and in the
Walmart, the cashiers apologize if there is one person in line in front
of you.
Despite the small town feel, we have found nothing lacking. The many
book stores are well stocked and diverse - dozens of great local
restaurants, ranging from upscale fancy to neighborhhod ethnic
frequented by the college kids. The people in town are pretty
sophisticated and know they have a good life here. Our neighbors are the
best selling author Steve Martini and his wife and daughter (he sold us
his house, then moved next door and has been very helpful and friendly
about seeing us get settled) and on the other side, an attorney who has
a seaplane at his dock.
It is really nice in the morning to walk in our backyard and look at the
lake and mountains. There is a pleasant 1/4 mile walk to a small heavily
wooded park where the dogs can run and a 7 minute drive to a large
county park with hiking and mountain bike trails.
We have a lot of work to do in getting the house set up - we are
stimulating the local economy for decorators: drapes, rugs, light
fixtures, painters, furniture, more kitchen stuff and of course, setting
up the whole guest house.
Speaking of the guest house, we look forward to seeing all of you (but
not at once!) later this summer. An hour from Vancouver and 90 minutes
from Seattle, Bellingham is a great base of operations. It is kind of
cool to listen to Canadian radio stations, and see French/English on the
packages instead of Spanish/English.
Email is the same for now (stevef@pacbell.net), but as soon as the cable
modem is hooked up, expect it to change. Cell phone remains
415-516-2421. New home phone is (360) 756-6956 or (360) 756-NYLON.
- cordula & steve -