In order to reach our goal of seeing 50 states in 50 weeks, we move to a new location about once a week. You may be wondering what it takes to pull up stakes and make our mobile household ready for the highway. What it takes is about an hour.

Seriously, though, in his life as a submarine officer, Dan spent his time “rigging for dive.” In our life on the road, it’s all about “rigging for drive.”

Dan usually does all the outside stuff. Beth and the boys do the inside stuff. It may seem like a lot, but we have it down to a regular routine. Here’s the rundown:

NIGHT BEORE:

Look on GPS to see how far we have to drive to  get an idea of what time to leave.

OUTSIDE:

1. •Stow any folding chairs, tablecloth, grill, propane, firewood etc.
   

2. •Disconnect light cord from awning lights.
   

3. •BIkes: Take both pedals off Henry’s bike, left pedal off Beth’s bike. Take seat off Arthur’s bike and Beth’s bike. Put seats and pedals and helmets in back of Saturn. Put Dan’s bike on, then Beth’s then Henry’s then Arthur’s. Strap tight and lock.
   

4. •Remove GPS unit and holder from inside the Saturn and put it in the RV (if not done night before).
   

5. •Retract awnings (if out).
   

6. •Retract TV antenna (if up, usually it is not).
   

7. •Disconnect water  line, drain water filter, stow water gear.
   

8. •Drain sewage tank and grey water  tank, retract dump gear.
   

9. •Disconnect cable TV wire, if used (usually not).
   

10. •Retract auto-leveling jacks, stow platforms that went under jack (if used).
    

11. •Disconnect electricity, unlock surge protector, stow all gear.
    

12. •Check air pressure on tires.
    

13. •Pull up the little green rug in front of door and stow.
    

INSIDE:

1. •Open drapes around windshield, put away stuff that’s been cluttering up dashboard.
   

2. •Pull out the following books and have them at the ready: Truckers Map, Roadfood, Trailer Life RV Park directory.
   

3. •Deflate and fold up kids’ beds, stow bed linens, and pull out seat belts.
   

4. •Clean and dry all dishes and put away.
   

5. •Clean sinks and vacuum carpets (usually).
   

6. •Stow any books, games, etc. that have been cluttering the inside.
   

7. •Stow breadmaker under table. 
   

8. •Push in table.
   

9. •Roll up carpets.
   

10. •Fold up chairs and stick carpets between chairs and table.
    

11. •Put cooking racks in the microwave oven with rag so they don’t rattle.
    

12. •Cover stove with Corian slab.
    

13. •Put sourdough starter in the fridge.
    

14. •Clear off entire kitchen counter except for plant.
    

15. •Put dishrack and paper towels into the sink.
    

16. •Stow soaps and scrubbers.
    

17. •Use bungee cord to strap down dishes in cabinet.
    

18. •Strap open the sliding door that separates the living room and bathroom.
    

19. •Move shampoos and soaps from shower to under bathroom sink.
    

20. •Lock shower door.
    

21. •Clear off all stuff around bathroom sink and put in medicine cabinet.
    

22. •Stow space heaters in closet (if out).
    

23. •Put on bed: shoe and towel  and book boxes, fake orchid, all paperwork,  laundry basket.
    

24. •Clean up office area: stow kids school stuff in book cabinet then jam arm chair against door to keep it from opening (despite the latches).
    

25. •Stow keyboard and mouse on Beth’s big computer, turn it off.
    

26. •Check slides… make sure there is nothing that will  fall in the area where the walls slide in.
    

27. •Bring in slides, i.e. pull the four wall extensions in so the RV is narrow enough to drive.
    

OUTSIDE ONE LAST TIME:

1. •Walk around RV look to see if all slides are flush, nothing sticking out, see if all doors are locked and won’t fly open.
   

2. •Hook up car.
   

And if that’s not enough, hooking up the car takes so many steps that we decided to give it its own blog entry. Stay tuned!