Returning to this thread to update our pied-à-terre move back to the home state.
Sold/donated almost every piece of furniture (save for one folding table/cabinet), most lamps and mirrors as well. Donated quite a bit to two local charities that do great work in the area helping citizens get back on their feet and have access to housing.
We indeed ended up packing up and loading a UBox - exhausting in summer heat/humidity. Do not recommend. Clothes, linens, kitchen items, folding bikes, mattress, etc. filled up the entire UBox, which shows how off my estimating skills were. We have until the 31 to unpack it; it’s $100 more to have it delivered to our actual home from the depot 17 miles away. We most likely be doing that.
The kid will be going to school initially with some clothes, bedding and a few kitchen items. I’ll unpack and bring stuff to them after general move-in and they identify what they really need on campus. Waiting to see what the roommate wants to do and source whatever is needed afterwards. Travel to school isn’t too far, and any excuse to see the kid is fine by us!
Bought tickets on Southwest for what I considered a fairly expensive price, but was able to re-book flights without penalty as divesting/packing everything took longer than expected. We had to switch out a few times over. Suitcases were exactly 50 lbs each as the agents were sticklers at the gate.
The move-out was all-encompassing and it’s unfortunate that the road-trip was not meant to be. But that’s how it goes. Will try to plan something during school breaks.
Despite being dead tired, we did end up driving to Vegas to see a concert (tickets were purchased a few weeks ago) at the Fontainbleau theater. Drove up to see the show, returned the next day (stopping in Yermo to eat at Peggy Sue’s diner). So, at least we did some type of road trip, however abbreviated.
The advantage of all this insanity is that we’re so busy school will seem like a vacation after all this driving/flying/moving nuttiness.