Logistics

We have a fair amount of business to attend to while we're here in Livingston. And, we're pleased to report, we are getting down to it. With reservations down the road one week from today, we've been here just long enough to figure out the what, where and when of everything we need to do while we're here. The "when", it turns out, is very important learning. After all, we've discovered, there's an order to these things.

Here in Texas you need to register all of your vehicles before you apply for your driver's license. And, you need to get your vehicle inspected before it's registered. And, if you want to register to vote, you can do that at anytime along the way. Because our moose weighs more than 26,000 pounds, we have an extra item to contend with. We both have to take a written test and a driving test with our 40-foot home on wheels. And, adding another wrinkle into this complex story problem, you can't schedule your driving test until you've passed the written one.

Yes, it's all about logistics.

So, the first step in this Texas-sized logistical nightmare is to get our vehicles licensed. Since the moose is new, we ordered his plates when we landed in Kansas City and they arrived just before we left the frozen north. He still needs an inspection, but that's not exactly a simple task. So, today, we decided to take care of our nimble little Jeep.

The other day we stopped by the DMV to see what our adopted home state needed to register the squirrel. There a very helpful woman walked us through the steps and recommended spots to get the requisite inspections. So, this afternoon we headed to Harrison's Body Shop for a quick inspection. The Jeep passed with flying colors, of course. So, we made a beeline a mile or so down the road to the DMV to get registered. Another very helpful woman made fairly quick work of the process that was far less costly than it ever was in California. With new Texas tags in hand, we returned to Rainbow's End where Paul peeled off the California plates, the last vestiges of our lives on the West Coast, and attached the numbered pieces of metal to make our squirrel a Texan.

That was easy!

Now, to the matter of getting ourselves licensed. After our visit to the DMV the other day, we stopped by the Law Enforcement Center and checked in to see what it takes to get a driver's license in these parts. There we met the only non-friendly Texan we've ever met. With a soap-filled TV blaring in the background she paid us just enough attention to irritate us all. She couldn't (or wouldn't) tell us when driving tests will be administered next week, so we took the application forms and handbook and decided we'll study over the weekend and plan to take the written test on Monday. We'll cross our fingers that we can both get our driving tests scheduled at the same time the next day or so. And, since our vehicle does just so happen to be our home, we're hoping we can take care of the inspection and driving tests in one - count 'em, one - outing.

After all that, here we sit in our quiet campground on a Friday night sharing a copy of the Texas Driver's Handbook. Despite what we've witnessed, turns out there actually are speed limits in the state, and turn signals are not optional. Who knew? This weekend's chilly forecast will provide the perfect venue for us to review the material and be test-ready come Monday.

Wish us luck!