Spot what looks out of place in this picture if you're a Brit?
Yes, that would be
THE HOUSE driving down the main highway!
I still remember the first time I saw this after arriving, I literally could NOT believe my eyes. When some people move home here, they quite 'literally' move home...lock, stock and barrel.
This single wide trailer home on the move is a relatively common site, but I have seen far larger homes on the road here. Including homes which are full blown, individual old wood framed 2 storey homes, literally lifted off their foundation and moved miles to a new site. Of course this is only possible because it's a wood home and not brick. Which is why you don't see this in the UK, as we have few wood construction only homes.
The 'trailer home' concept has also been something of a revelation to me. I have always heard the jokes about 'trailer trash' etc, but I have been in some amazing new double wide trailer homes that have really impressed me! Having said that, I still prefer to be in my brick home living as I do in tornado alley, and coming from that 'brick built mecca' known as the UK.
I have to say though, having a Police escort to move house is pretty cool and it has to save on the (un)packing, surely?
Spot what looks out of place in this picture if you're a Brit? Yes, that would be THE HOUSE driving down the main highway! I still remember the first time I saw this after arriving, I literally could NOT believe my eyes. When some people move home here, they quite 'literally' move home...lock, stock and barrel. 
This single wide trailer home on the move is a relatively common site, but I have seen far larger homes on the road here. Including homes which are full blown, individual old wood framed 2 storey homes, literally lifted off their foundation and moved miles to a new site. Of course this is only possible because it's a wood home and not brick. Which is why you don't see this in the UK, as we have few wood construction only homes. The 'trailer home' concept has also been something of a revelation to me. I have always heard the jokes about 'trailer trash' etc, but I have been in some amazing new double wide trailer homes that have really impressed me! Having said that, I still prefer to be in my brick home living as I do in tornado alley, and coming from that 'brick built mecca' known as the UK. 
I have to say though, having a Police escort to move house is pretty cool and it has to save on the (un)packing, surely?
Sarah you see this a lot here in Tulsa but usually in the early morning hours. LOL sometimes the house are so wide they take up 4 or 5 lanes of traffic. I hate getting stuck behind them because they move at a snails pace.
ReplyDelete" and it has to save on the (un)packing, surely?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh, Sarah. I actually saw this quite often while growing up. There was a company that built these homes near my town.
I'm glad my moveable home is not so large as to need a police escort. Though when living in Illinois as a child I saw two story houses moved into my neighborhood and everybody came out to watch.
ReplyDeleteSeeing these already a) cracks me up, b) makes me anxious about being on the road with it, and c) makes me wonder how much this task costs!
ReplyDeleteIt fascinates me the house can be lifted off its foundation, moved miles and set down on a new foundation and then 'plugged' in .. I always wonder how often the new 'outlets' are in the wrong place for the old 'plugs'
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that it saves from (un)packing for sure!! Especially after having moved very recently and having to pack un-pack and search for the lost twins of all the socks in the house :)
ReplyDelete♥ Chaitra
I see this sight fairly regularly, too here in the foothills of northern California. And I, too, have been inside some really, really fancy modular (factory built)homes with high ceilings and the works...state-of-the-art everything.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I guess that would seem pretty odd to you being from the UK! I bet you had alot of giggles over that one! I grew up in northwestern NJ and modular homes became real popular in PA, which from where I lived was right over the border. We used to see these house traveling in half going along the highway. Sometimes a 2-story home would be traveling the byways, which means there would be 4 sections traveling in a caravan-crazy!
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I wonder if they have anything boxed up or just move as is.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
The ease with which these houses can be moved can also explain (sorry) why they are sometimes called "tornado food". Sorry, just what I've heard!
ReplyDeleteAren't these truly amazing? I have seen great big old houses going down the highway. Slowly, of course. LOL
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on your blog - loved the story about the hawk. How very sweet and kind of you and the Hubster. Kudos!!
You defineitely don't want to be driving down the highway with that when a tornado srikes!
ReplyDelete