05/14/2023
We would like to celebrate Mother's Day by sharing "From Heartland to Golden State ~ Mom's Moving Memoir", the story of how Hatch House Airbnb came to be!
My father passed away six years ago, leaving my mother alone on the outskirts of Ashland, Ohio. It was a remote area, often described as the "middle of nowhere." Harsh winters would sometimes trap her inside for days until the snowplows cleared the roads. βοΈ
βοΈ Tired of the Ohio winters, my mother and wife hatched a plan during her Christmas visit in 2021. They decided to buy a house in Paso Robles, California, βοΈ and turn it into an Airbnb.
The plan was set: we would rent a U-Haul and hire local movers to pack my mother's furniture. I would then fly βοΈ back to Ohio and accompany her on the drive to California. We couldn't have her fly due to her cat π± , Andy, and her elderly dog πΆ , Manny.
Unfortunately, Manny's health declined a week before the trip, and we had to say our goodbyes. π’
βοΈ I flew in from the San Francisco Bay Area. My mother and I made our way to the U-Haul center to pick up the truck. However, instead of the 15-foot truck we reserved, there were only two 26-foot trucks!
π With no other choice, we reluctantly agreed to take the larger truck & full-sized car trailer since the small tow dolly was unavailable. This meant I would be driving a 43-foot vehicle, unable to detach the trailer if necessary. π
π We embarked on our journey to California. π± Andy, clearly unhappy, filled the air with his constant cries, occasionally interrupted by naps & potty breaks emitting unpleasant odors. π¨
π Traveling across the United States in our colossal truck and trailer was an adventure in itself.
β½οΈ Despite the challenges, after 4 days, 2300 miles and $2,200 in gas, Mom and I made it to her new home in Paso Robles California! βοΈ
π Mom and Andy are now living happily in their remodeled cottage and managing our Airbnb .house.victorian!
β€οΈ Thank you Mom for an unforgettable road trip & lots of great memories along the way!