On Friday morning June 5, by 8:00 a.m., 100 people were queued outside the Atomic Abode for the estate sale.
I got the hell out of Dodge.
I spent the weekend at the Tin Can Tourists Western Canada vintage trailer rally in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. It was just what the doctor ordered.
The rally takes place each year at the Sons of Norway Country Club in Mission. It is fairly remote. The town itself is some miles away. Wi-Fi was nonexistent and cell service was spotty. There was nothing to do but catch up with friends, eat and drink, and sit around the campfire.
I picked the perfect friends to commune with during the weekend that my entire life was for sale.
Vintage trailer folk are collectors and stagers. Many of them marveled at my ability to relinquish treasured possessions, stating that they would not be able to do it. They were excited for my journey and grabbed a card to follow the blog. I even got a Route 66 purse!
Being without FiFi at an event was less traumatic than I expected. I felt equal parts odd, and relieved. Odd because she made up so much of my identity at rallies – people remembered her name but not necessarily mine. Relieved because I watched my friends set up, deal with the public during Saturday open house, and break down on Sunday. I put so much pressure on myself to have a fantastic campsite that arrival and departure days were always a lot of work for me. I must remember this as I outfit Nellie for the road. Less staging – more living!!
Upon my return I heard that the sale was chaotic. The line for the cash register continued until noon on the first day. Cars stacked up around the block for loading in the driveway. All of the big items sold, and very little is left. The house echoes now as you walk through it, and pieces of flotsam and jetsam lay strewn around the various rooms. I was afraid that I would ball my eyes out when I saw it for the first time, but after such a rejuvenating weekend, and being so ready for the next thing, I embraced it. I immediately made arrangements for the remaining items to go to friends, consignment, and charity.
Many of you have inquired about the grand total for the estate sale. I’m not one to talk in too much detail about finances, but I will say that the proceeds exceeded my expectations by many thousands of dollars. The first day brought in what I thought the entire weekend would gross. I have enough to buy that (used!) Honda CR-V or that Jeep Liberty to pull behind the RV now, with a bit left over.
The keys to the Atomic Abode will go to the new owners on June 15. I pick up Nellie on June 17. On the home stretch now!
This Post Has 7 Comments
Sounds like an awesome weekend all around. What a wonderful surprise to return home to ~ haha, I bet the extra funds helped sooth the empty feeling a little! 🙂 I had no idea there was such a thing as a vintage camper shows. I wonder if there’s anything like that a little closer to MY province? I’ll have to do some digging. That would be such a fun event to check out!
It was wonderful to have you and Olive join us all for the weekend. It was a great time a bit hot maybe but I’m not complaining. See you in Lyndon!
Good for you!
You are going to have a great new adventure.
I am pairing down too, we all have so much, too much.
But the rally’s are soooo much fun.
Glad you could be there with Olive.
See you soon
What a wonderful weekend! I am so looking forward to reading about your journey. You are doing what others merely dream of.
Deb
I’m preparing to free myself in the next year, a 65th birthday present to myself. I have been wondering what to do with all my stuff and will need to check out an estate sale since I have a lot of vintage, if not antique, items.
I’ll be downsizing even smaller to a Class B – most likely a Roadtrek. Can’t wait!
Cori, here is a piece I wrote about choosing an estate sale company. While those businesses won’t be in your specific area, I hope it’s helpful!
Cori, when I started to downsize I had 200 handbags and 200 pairs of shoes! I now have five handbags and 30 pairs of shoes. I’m trying. 🙂