When we added Sioux Falls, South Dakota to our repatriation itinerary, Leonard and I knew we could expect cold temperatures and maybe even some snow. What we didn't know was that Mother Nature had in store for the place a crippling storm complete with ice, snow, power outages and business closures. Being the minds-like-a-steel trap folks that we are, we quickly figured this out.
We first knew we were in for some real fun when, upon touchdown of our flight from Houston to Denver, we checked the departures listings for our connection to Sioux Falls and saw that most dreaded of all words in the voyager's lexicon, "CANCELLED." United Airlines' cheerful (not really) customer service rep informed us that we'd already been rebooked on a later flight. After a five-hour delay, a bone-chilling walk outside to the airplane, a glide up a "that's not a ramp, it's a skating rink!" jetway, and a thorough de-icing of the plane, we were airborne.
(As an aside, Sprocket appreciated that little outside stroll as it gave him a much needed chance to relieve himself without risk to Denver International Airport's lovely carpeting.)
Once on the ground in South Dakota, we were greeted with an ice-covered rental car along with equally frozen roads. On the bright side, there weren't many other people who were foolish, desperate or, dare I say, stupid enough to drive under those conditions, so we didn't have to fight any traffic.
So what would drive two reasonably sane adults to endure all of this? One word: domicile.
Everyone needs a place to call "home." It affects where you pay taxes and how much you pay as well as where you get a drivers license, vote and get insurance. It even affects costs of cell phone service. The process of claiming this home, in legal-speak "domicile," can be easy or complicated, depending on the state you choose.
In the world of full-time RV living, three states make the list of domicile favorites: Florida, Texas and South Dakota. We chose South Dakota for several reasons, not the least of which is that even after factoring in costs of two trips to Texas (first to clear immigration, second to take delivery on our pickup), we will save a boatload of money on the sales taxes associated with the purchase of our 5th wheel and truck. It's also relatively easy to declare yourself a resident of the state, though state law requires prospective residents to spend at least one night there before doing so. Unfortunately for us, that night happened to fall during what officials here have just declared a State of Emergency.
So, you see, there is a method to our madness. We're not stupid, just cheap!
Tonight's forecast calls for 6-10" of snow, but with a bit of luck and slightly warmer temperatures to melt the roads, we just might have our drivers licenses and voter registrations in hand by close of business tomorrow. I'm keeping my (slightly frost-bitten) fingers crossed.
We first knew we were in for some real fun when, upon touchdown of our flight from Houston to Denver, we checked the departures listings for our connection to Sioux Falls and saw that most dreaded of all words in the voyager's lexicon, "CANCELLED." United Airlines' cheerful (not really) customer service rep informed us that we'd already been rebooked on a later flight. After a five-hour delay, a bone-chilling walk outside to the airplane, a glide up a "that's not a ramp, it's a skating rink!" jetway, and a thorough de-icing of the plane, we were airborne.
(As an aside, Sprocket appreciated that little outside stroll as it gave him a much needed chance to relieve himself without risk to Denver International Airport's lovely carpeting.)
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| Welcome to Sioux Falls! |
Once on the ground in South Dakota, we were greeted with an ice-covered rental car along with equally frozen roads. On the bright side, there weren't many other people who were foolish, desperate or, dare I say, stupid enough to drive under those conditions, so we didn't have to fight any traffic.
So what would drive two reasonably sane adults to endure all of this? One word: domicile.
Everyone needs a place to call "home." It affects where you pay taxes and how much you pay as well as where you get a drivers license, vote and get insurance. It even affects costs of cell phone service. The process of claiming this home, in legal-speak "domicile," can be easy or complicated, depending on the state you choose.
In the world of full-time RV living, three states make the list of domicile favorites: Florida, Texas and South Dakota. We chose South Dakota for several reasons, not the least of which is that even after factoring in costs of two trips to Texas (first to clear immigration, second to take delivery on our pickup), we will save a boatload of money on the sales taxes associated with the purchase of our 5th wheel and truck. It's also relatively easy to declare yourself a resident of the state, though state law requires prospective residents to spend at least one night there before doing so. Unfortunately for us, that night happened to fall during what officials here have just declared a State of Emergency.
So, you see, there is a method to our madness. We're not stupid, just cheap!
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| I've heard of frosted glass, but this is ridiculous! |
Tonight's forecast calls for 6-10" of snow, but with a bit of luck and slightly warmer temperatures to melt the roads, we just might have our drivers licenses and voter registrations in hand by close of business tomorrow. I'm keeping my (slightly frost-bitten) fingers crossed.
Did you look at Deleware... no sales tax there, same for NH and NH has no state income tax!
ReplyDeleteTom Duffy
No state income tax in any of the states I mentioned. SD excise tax on new vehicles is 3%, plus there's no need to return for annual vehicle inspections. Also, FL, SD and TX allow mail forwarding organizations to provide addresses to subscribers in lieu of property ownership or rental agreement needed by other states for residency.
DeleteYou get my baby some DOWN BOOTIES!!
ReplyDeleteSPROCKET!! You just refuse to go out without some warm footwear. Or you can hop a boat and head south.
:-)
Seriously? This dog is a major snow fanatic. I practically have to drag him out of the drifts to get him back inside...no matter how cold his dainty little paws get. :-)
DeleteYeah, we weren't sure how Yankee -- who'd spent the entire 5 years of his life up till that point in Costa Rica -- would take to the snow but he LOVES it. Only problem was when we got about 2 feet of it at once and both dogs found it a bit hard to go outside and do their business. We had to shovel out a potty area for them. ;-)
ReplyDeleteVERY much enjoying reading your blog, so keep it up!