through parts of the US by motorhome
"Es ist 1996, meine Freundin ist weg und bräunt sich....." - good times when German HipHop was hip, greatings to FETTES BROT.
Actually, it's not 1996, it is September 2024, I am single, which is not a bad thing, since the last two were a grab for - well, let's just forget about that, and a newsletter from a travel agency gets my attention:
transfer of a motorhome in the States, in the beginning of March 2025, starting at a price from 800 bucks.
A cheap flight from Germany to the USA costs less, so roughly we are speaking about 1.500 bucks for a three weeks holiday. For sure, additional costs for diesel, food and various leisure activities and entrance fees for national parks, for example. As mentioned, the brand new motorhome itself costs only a fraction of the regular rental price, as it has to be transported from the factory to a rental company (destination is almost freely selectable). Depending on the length of the transport journey - two to four weeks would be possible - enough free kilometers are included - exciting, really very exciting.
More or less immediately, I wrote to potential companions to ask if they would like to go on the trip. At the same time, I asked my boss about unpaid vacation, as the rest of my vacation days for 2025 were already largely planned. Two weeks later, I got the unpaid time off approved, found a companion and agreed to the trip.
Let the games, I mean, the planning begin.
day 1 - from home to the States - Chicago
Friday the 13th, hm, wrong again, well, it is Friday but, it's the 21st. . Everything is packed and I make my way to the train station. No, I'm not taking the train
across the pond, but I have to get to the airport somehow. Two hours later I meet Meli at the airport in Zurich and we go to check in. Direct flight from Zurich to Chicago, 10 hours 15 minutes,
that's the plan.
The flight itself is, as always, not so exciting, and at just before 6 p.m. Chicago time we are actually in the States. Border control goes without a hitch, off to the hotel, a quick bite to eat
and off to bed, somehow it's already just after 2 a.m. Swiss time.
day 2 - Chicago
Samstag
day 3 - Chicago
Sonntag
day 4 - from Chicago to the camper takeover and starting the tour - goin` out west
First we have a leisurely breakfast. The transfer taxi doesn't arrive until 10am, so we should be prepared by then.