Ham Radio Equipment

This afternoon, I unpacked my ham radio gear.  Guess it was about time as it has been sitting in the garage for the last 3 years!

On the bottom, the lineat power supple and Icom 707 transceiver.  Middle row are two of my antenna tuners.  On the top row were the Ramsey crystal 2 'm transceiver, Kantonics TNC and the antique CW key.

I also have Hustler mast and resonators, a mobile antenna tunor and a keyer.  They had unpacked shortly after I moved to New Mexico.  One of the paddles of the keyer is damaged.  Guess will have to repair of replace it if I want to do some CW.

Changed Residency

Once we (HDARC) finished removing us from the balloon fiesta grounds, I was able to continue doing what I had planned to do.  First it was up to Bernallilo to get my new New Mexico driver's license.  Just needed the eye test, and was able to get my new license with motorcycle endorsement. While there, I was also allowed to register for vote in New Mexico.  the problem was I could not to change the car title at this office.  I had to drive down into Albuquerque to accomplish that. 

This was done ant it was about 2pm.  With my day, I decided to treat myself to a brew, burger, & fries at Spinns (see photo).  the had the Bosque Amber Ale - think it was the first time I had that beer. Exhausted when I got back to the house so headed to bed for a nap.

Still have to exchange plate(s) on the car, but I can now call me a resident of New Mexico.

Moving In

On Saturday, July 23, the PODS was delivered to my new residence.  It was on the driveway early enough that I was able to head over to the High Desert ARC Social Breakfast.

not in a big hurry to start unloading the POD.   Breakfast was at Mimi's near Jefferson, not the normal monthly breakfast.  Its a good place to avoid.  Breakfast about $16 including tip.  We were asking/looking for coffee refills. 

After breakfast, I did a couple other errands, returning home about noon.   My that time, it was a little too hot to start moving stuff into the house.  Thermometers hit 101 that day in Rio Rancho.

Once the evening was cooling off, I started moving stuff from the PODS into the garage and house.  Took a break for sleep and back to moving out of the 'pods until the temperature was too high.  Closed the garage door and worked in the house, moving goods from garage into closets and cabinets in the house.

Sunday evening was the same thing.  Moved what I could grab by myself out of the PODS and into the garage.  Was back at it Monday morning when cousin Don came to help me.

We were able to get everything moved out of the PODS and at least into the garage.  It was time for food and a well earned pints of micro-brew at "The Local Brewhouse".  Thanks to cousin Don for all of his help (and push) to get the move accomplished.

Now, I have been slowly moving my possessions from the garage into the house.  The dish and clothes washers have been busy.  The PODS was removed from my drive - they were happy to get it back.  It was swepts out, loaded onto the truck and taken directly to the next customer's property.

Loaded up and Gone

After breakfast Saturday morning, Don and I tackled loading the rest of my stuff into the POD,  We gave ourselves the goal of being pack and on the road Thursday morning.  As I would pack a box, Don was loading in into the POD.  We was also looking at other things I may want to load and thigs he might like to take off my hands.

We put in some long days and were exhausted after dinner time.  We took time off for making the usual Sunday and Tuesday coffees at Panera Bread.  Thursday early morning, we were packed up and the POD was locked.

Said my "good-bye" to my house for the last 30 years.  Was an emotional "farewell".  Off to Panera for coffee.  Spent about 1 1/2 hour there visiting and saying "good-bye". 

Then, it was on the road heading southwest.  We decided to take it easy on the way back, spending the night in Dodge City.

Made Dodge City in planty time to tour the old Boot Hill museum.  Had a pint of beer at the Long Branch Saloon.  Checked into the hotel.  Walked across Wyatt Earp Blvd to Bad Habits for brew and burger.  All the times I had been in this bar, never seen it so busy.

We were exhausted and crashed into bed.  On the road about 6:30 in the morning.  Drove to Liberal where we had breakfast.  When we got Don's place in Albuquerque, my nerves let loose - my stomach rebelled from the nerves.  Got my car out of Don's lot and drove to my Rio Rancho house.Saturday morning, Don came up and we unloaded his van.

Iowa and Packing

Before leaving New Mexico, I stopped by Boot Barn for some summer season western dud.

I made in back to Iowa just before Memorial Day.  Spent nearly a month sorting and deciding things I wanted to move to New Mexico.  One of my Omaha friends came out a couple times to help me sort, pack, and load the moving POD.

The packing was slow going.  As the weather heated up and the humidity came up, I found it difficult to keep motivated. Kept up my routine of Saturday breakfast at Super Saver and coffees Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Panera Bread.

The month was also filled with final visits to my health care providers in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.  I had become friends with many of them, having been with them for many years.  

Soon enough, it was getting close to a month where I needed back to New Mexico to pick up mail, pay bills, and see my new family doctor.

Mortgage Approved

Got the word yesterday that my mortgage for the new house in Rio Rancho has been approved.  Now, if I could just get the energy to finish packing the Iowa belongings.  Lots of space yet in the POD.

Will be bringing 2 of my bikes with me on the trip to closing (road bike & hard tail).  Internet & phone are ready to be installed on the 19th.

Buying some furniture (bedroom set, sofa, etc) while down there.  Over the weekend there is either Bike & Brew festival in Santa Fe or Celtic festival in Albuquerque to attend.

Mortgage Frustration

I am getting frustrated with the paperwork and problems getting my mortgage in New Mexico.  I had a mortgage banker that I liked working with,   For some reason, he is no longer with the bank.  The repacement and the others in the office are having problems accessing all of the files that I sent to the original mortgage office. 

Now, it has been unending requests for re-sending files.  That, and answering more question - all which I answered when I initially met with Lou (back in March). 

Meanwhile, the home inspection was accomplished yesterday.  There are some minor (GFCI outlets, etc) and major (furnace and water heater are old and should be replaced). 

All of this does not help me get motivated to pack boxes and tubs, then get them into the PODS. 

PODS

I got on the road back to Iowa very early Thursday morning. My route took me up I-24 to Springer, NM.  From there, it was US 56 to the Dodge City, KS area.  Crashed that night at the Rodeway Inn. 

Another early start, taking the diagonal toward Salinas.  Next up to York, NE, and finally I-80 to Council Bluffs.  Stommed in at the bike shop to pick up the two bikes which were prepping for the move.  Post office for mail, and finally back home.

The moving PODS was delivered today.  Now, the real work can begin.

Packing is going slow.  Masking a mess in the house pulling out stuff I want to pack to move.

Photos, Frustration, and Paperwork

Monday, my real estate agent took me to the house.  Agenda was to check out a few items about the house, take photos for my use, and identify what I might want in the house.  That went well.  Got some good photos to post online and send prints to relatives that do not have internet.

Next was how to pay earnest money for the purchase.  Problems because I had lost my checkbook.  All were a pain - I called the title company representative saying I would be bringing cash the next day.  That day, I had problems.  They did not want to accept cash.  Guess the title company representative was not able to act on my phone call the previous day.  Did get the situation partially rectified.  Left me in a foul mood.

Started packing the room to get on the road home Thursday.  Met cousin Don for dinner and pints (my treat).  A couple pints of Alaskan Amber Ale and a enchilada dinner did wonders for my mood.

Wyoming Autumn

I searched for more houses on the real estate web site.  Found a couple others that I would like to see.  Saturday, we made another drive to Rio Rancho to look at houses.

This was the best house we saw.  Three bedroon, 2 bath custom house.  Open floor plan with kitchen, breakfast bar, dining area, and living room.  There is a nice wood-burning fireplace and a sun room.  Landscaping is xeriscape.  Finished and heated garage (even with a shower in the garage!).

The house is in the same subdivision with the Stagecoach and Arizona Sunset houses.  Less than 2 mile bike ride to services, food, etc.  Back at the real estate office, we wrote an offer for the property.

Rio Rancho, NM

Friday, my real estate agent was busy.  I took the day to scope out the city of Rio Rancho.  It's a "suburb" of Albuquerque - NW of downtown.  Those of my friends in the Omaha area, Rio Rancho is the LaVista of the area.The photo here is of city hall.

My visit to city hall as pleasant and productive.  Picked up information about the city including street and bicycle maps. Planing office told me restrictions of antenna height.  Everyone in city hall were very helpful.

Spring 2016 Schedule

My Spring is soon filling up.  Next week I am paying off my Iowa mortgage.  In the next week or two, I will be in Albuquerque to buy a house.  Then back to Iowa to pac up the POD with the items I want to move with me.  Back to ABQ to close on the house purchase there.

Once I have packed up my "stuff" from the Iowa house and its in storage or en route to New Mexico, There will be a sale of personal effects left in the Iowa house.  Finally, that house will be put on the market.

I do not see any way I can fit in my Army reunion into this schedule.  About that same time I have final CT scans and visits with my doctors before changing to New Mexico doctors.

Hoping to fit in this bicycle and craft beer festival as I shuttle between Iowa and New Mexico.

My Move to Albuquerque

Some of you know that I have been planning a move Southwest to Albuquerque, New Mexico. For others, it may come as a surprise. I have lived in Pottawattamie County, Iowa for nearly 30 years. When I moved here, I thought I would live in this house until I died or had to move into a care facility. Things and priorities have changed.

In 2005, I suffered a stroke caused by a failed heart valve. To keep this part of the story short, suffice it to say that the cardiac rehab folks wanted to know what I was going to do to keep active. I settled on riding a bicycle.

Since a kid, I was the family photographer. I started carrying a camera in the pocket of my cycling jersey. Soon, riding my bicycles and taking photos of bike trails became my passion. There was a problem. Living 2 miles down a gravel road takes me to busy, high-traffic roads with no shoulder. I had to load the bike on the car rack and drive 13 miles plus to a bike trail.

For several years, I drove to the trailhead, unload the bike, and pedal on down the trails. One year I logged over 3300 miles on my bikes.

During my trips, I generally had at least one bicycle with me. I started planning trips with destinations where I can stop for a couple days and ride my bikes. It has been a great way to explore the area. A bike ride on unfamiliar trails adds some adventure. It gave me the opportunity to shoot some awesome photos for my “Bicycle Trails” calendar.

In Moab, Utah, I was planning a bike ride. Traffic was terrible in the little town. I decided to start my ride from my room. It was an enjoyable experience. I have had similar experiences in Kalispell, MT and Decorah, IA. 

Being in my 60s with my health issues, it was becoming dangerous for me living by myself in the country. Besides the distance to medical facilities, I am serviced my a volunteer fire department and rescue squad.

It because clear, I needed to move into a town – A town/city with a good bicycling infrastructure. My Army Reunion trips have given my the chance to look at locations that have what I was looking for.

I could just move into a place in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. But, I have had enough of the cold and humidity. I visited a cousin in Albuquerque, NM. The weather is more moderate and drier. They have an awesome bicycle trail system. Should I want, skiing is about an hour away. I found a motel a block off the trail system. The area has lots to see and do. Many opportunities for photography.

Over the last 6 years. I have been making 1 or 2 trips a year to Albuquerque. I found the climate is more temperate, I can tolerate the altitude, and housing prices are comparable to the Omaha area.

I started plotting my move to Albuquerque. A big concern I had was my health – not so much the heart valve, but the 4 cancers I have been battling. Three of them are now over 5 years since treatment. There is just one area we are still watching. My medical oncologists (and my other doctors) say there should be nothing keeping me from moving.

So, here I am, starting the process of moving from rural Iowa to a city lot in Albuquerque. The large house on 6 acres will be on the market. Initial scouting shows good prospects for homes near the bike trails with no/little yard maintenance. I am not looking forward to the hassle of moving, but happy I have decided to make the change. It will be great for my physical and mental health.

House Hunting

After the busy days Monday and Tuesday, I spent Wednesday recovering.  Back at it Thursday.  Had a meeting with my real estate agent.  We discussed what I am looking in a house. He was going to go though listings and send me a list.

I was planning to go from there to the bank's mortgage offices.  However, my real estate company has a full service mortgage division.
went down the hall and met with the mortgage broker.  Went through gyrations, figuring out the best way to get a pre-approved loan.  I have to forget the line of credit I was pre-approved for - it would screw up home loan approval process.

Friday and over the weekend, I spent untold hours looking at home listings.  Sent a couple e-mails to the real estate agent with properties I was interested in, and questioned exactly what he was using for sort parameters.

Saturday evening, I was ready for a break.  Cousin Don and I met at Billy'Long Bar for food and drink. Great visit and conversation.

Today, I met with Leland (real estate agent) and selected a few properties to inspect.  The house in the photo here is the best that I was today.  We look at houses smaller (and less expensive) that he had started selecting.  The ones we looked at today were in the 1400 sq-ft area.  While I liked what I saw, for purposes of "due diligence" I need to look at larger and more expensive houses, too.  Probably another session of inspecting houses later in the week.

Preparations for Moving

Today was a day of errands and preparations for  my move later in the year.  I started with coffee and a bagel at the Panera Bread on Central.  The UPS store was a block away, so stopped there to rent a mailbox there.

Next was the laboratory to get my blood draw.

Now some shopping.  From checking the web sites, Wanted to check belts and hats at Cavenders. Ended up buying a dark brown hat there.  Next, it was Boot Barn.  Selected 2 more shirts.  They did not have the belt I wanted in my size. Instead of having them try to find the belt and one of the other 2 stores in the area, selected another design belt.

You  might notice there are no jeans in the photos of my western wear photos.  I already have several pairs of Levi 501 jeans.  I prefer them over the 'wrangler cowboy-fit jeans.

Last stop (all this done before noon) was opening a bank account at the Bank of Albuquerque.

All day, I was excited about the move.  While UNM Lobos are not a team I am have not followed; never been at a game; its part of the mental move.  New Mexico has a rich western history.  My interest in the history of New Mexico and and the cowboy (western) wear I have purchased is part changing my mind set.