My townhouse is now empty. This past weekend I completed moving my remaining items into storage. As these things go, it barely fit in the size I had rented, though if I’d rented a different size I’m sure that would have been the case as well. Towards the end, I had the sense that I’d like to have sorted through a few more things since I’m sure there is more being stored than I might later use, but that time will mostly wait.

This afternoon I met the cleaning crew. This is from a company that does “move out” type services. Costs a little, but nice to get everything thoroughly cleaned. Tomorrow morning I will have a company clean the carpets. After that, hand the keys to a property manager and hopefully will soon have it rented. I decided to rent to get some income but more importantly to have someone looking after those little maintenance items that can otherwise creep up.

Once I downsized from a full house, I put my remaining items and bicycle into a rented minivan and am staying at motel in Austin. These past weeks I’ve kept some bins for things I might “possibly” need for the trip. From the photo below, clearly these five bins are more than will fit in my panniers. Not particularly worried since I know several instances where I have half a dozen tires or extra things to completely sort through. However, general idea is to start with this limited stash and pack together four panniers and perhaps a care package of things I don’t need yet that I’ll send on to Fairbanks.

Not to make too much of plight of those who are homeless not of their own choice (seems like a tough life), but I jokingly describe myself as having become homeless (this week) and unemployed (last week) – but also freed up from these things so I can take off on this trip.