Setting Up Our Cats, But How About US?

4/8

Day 6

It is always easier to stay at a hotel that has easy access to the freeways, when you first stay in a town. But we have been to Poteau Oklahoma several times now, and the security of knowing where to stay has been out-weighed by the train that passes right behind the hotel. This trip, we decided to try a different hotel, boosted by the Best Western corporation, called SureStay. The hotel is also located close to the freeway exit, but is quite a bit older than the last hotel. Typical noise like the other hotels, but it's a lot more inexpensive. They offer a free breakfast and an updated room, so we gave it a try.

Thinking about housing once we are able to move to Oklahoma, we decided to look at a few options and stopped at a nationwide camping store to consider travel trailers. We know, for us, not to buy new trailers, so we immediately request to view previously owned (used). What we discovered was that the majority of previously owned trailers were not taken care of well, almost abused, and not worth the listed price. We need to reconsider shipping out our trailer from California to Oklahoma.

After we walked out knowing what we were NOT going to buy from a dealer, we headed to my sister’s house to continue setting up the cats. Using our utility trailer, we set up solar panels with battery back up, so fans can be running during the heat of the day. If you are not familiar, Oklahoma gets hot, and with added humidity, can become stifling and unbearable. For the cats, being housed in a mobile home, conditions weren’t too bad yet, as it is still spring time, and several house fans would make their environment acceptable.

As Will set up the solar system, I headed inside to clean up the cats, and evaluate where to best put Midnight and Dawn. One enclosure was vacant as the previous cat had become accustomed to their new home, and had freedom to roam the house. Although Midnight and Dawn weren’t best of friends, they did tolerate each other, and considering they were both new to the location, they would depend on their familiarity with each other to get through the stress of the new move. Everyone was now cleaned, fed, played with, combed out and comforted, and we were ready to leave.

Continuing on our quest to find a better housing solution we stopped at a shed store. These sheds are the kind that can be moved onto the property, a simple rock pad or cement foundation, and transformed into living quarters. From basic necessities of windows, to the complexity of insulation and walls, electrical panels and outlets, airconditioning, plumbing and more. Definitely an option, but maybe more for the cats, then us, but still an option. Since we have a mobile home on the property, one option is for us to invest into the mobile home by updating the inside, new carpet, new paint, new everything. It may take longer to get it into an acceptable condition, but that will take time, and we are looking for a more immediate solution for when we relocate. Other options we are considering are “Amazon Houses”. I put the name “Amazon" into quotes so that you understand there are many “instant houses” that can be delivered and set up within hours of receipt. Boxable, CoCoCabins, etc. are companies that are specializing on “instant housing” as less expensive housing options, as opposed to traditional mobile homes. Which is also an option for us, except, we would have to remove the existing mobile, which would add cost to our housing options. I am by no means recommending, sponsored by, or suggesting any of these products, or that they are right for you, as your situation may be vastly different than ours. I mention them as options that we are considering for us.

After a busy day, we headed to La Huertas Mexican Restaurant located right next to our hotel. My sister met us there, so we had dinner together, talked about what our future goals were, and called it a night. We headed back to the hotel, and slept well after a tiring day.

Relocating the cats will be an easier task than relocating us.