With a lot of schools preparing for the end of another school year with final examinations and commencment exercises, here is our version...final week.
Monday, May 13, 2013
My final Monday commute. Uneventful day both ways. The widening of the 99 continues north of Chowchilla. They started this project in mid-July 2012. Doubt I will ever come by this way again, but when I do I am sure it will be a major improvement.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I purchased gas at the Merced Costco for the final time. This month alone a gallon has shot up $0.22 per gallon.
We work out at our health club for the last time. The best little gym in California. We will miss the staff.
Another commute day done and over with.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
My last commute drive from Merced.
On my way to work, there is a cross at the end of the southbound offramp from Avenue 24. I stopped to pay my respects to the pedestrian that was killed back on February 8, 2013. Her name was Vitalina Jimenez of Madera. It was her body I saw on the road.
I stopped at my favorite Starbucks next to the Holiday Inn Express on the corner of West Herndon and North Motel Drive in Fresno to order my usual grande black coffee and to say good-byes to the baristas. When my commute allowed, I would walk into this Starbucks every Friday and before I have a chance to order, it is already there next to the cash register waiting for me. Simple routine. However, this time I caught the baristas off guard. The looks on their faces when I entered. "No, it is not a Friday, but it is my 'Friday.' This will be the last time I come here and I just wanted to say, 'Thank you for the great service, and I will see you later.' Oh, and could you make it a venti this time." I paid $2.25 and left a $0.75 tip.
After approximately thirty-one thousand fifty "flying solo" miles later, it is over and done.
For our final meal, we dine at Pinocchio's in downtown Merced. What a great place to eat.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The three hundred forty-ninth day.
We do laundry the first thing in the morning to use up all of the money on our laundry card.
The movers come to pack and ship. Luckily, there isn't that much for them to move on such a hot day as today. Our apartment was nothing, but bare necessities. All we had to purchase was a 32-inch flat screen, DVD player, and a microwave. A vast majority of our stuff was relocated to P38549 before moving to Merced.
We return the keys to the property manager and sign some paperwork.
Looking back, we never took a dip in the pool nor did we ever sit in the spa. With the spa being at a tepid 80° it just wasn't worth our time to soak in it. We spent only one weekend in Merced around the holidays due to my wife's office party.
There are fine eateries in Merced. Too bad Big Bubba's Bad BBQ closed before we had a chance to take advantage of the free birthday dinner. I really was looking forward to it.
We will NOT miss the train whistles, the sirens, the traffic, and the helicopters flying overhead. The "Sunday drives" from P38549 to Merced will not be missed either. It was if we were literally "camping" at P38549. Packing up clothing and gear for our weekend jaunts. Yes, we forgot some items, but shrugged it off. "Hey, it will be for only a couple of days," or "Hey, just five more days." No more counting down. Every weekend we took stuff to P38549 that we knew we would never need in Merced again.
Our moving days are officially over and we didn't have to lift a finger, yet alone a box. We can settle down and enjoy the rest of our lives together. Next comes retirement and then off we go to other adventures. We are looking forward to having fun whether it be making our house a home or venturing out on a cross-country trip or just fishing.
Our only obstacle is where to hang all of our clothes. My wife's clothes will DEFINITELY fill up the main bedroom closet, while my clothes will just fit in the laundry room closet for now until we sort things out.
