Last New Jersey Moments

Tomorrow, March 22, 2026, marks the official start of the Journey of a Lifetime—a coast-to-coast adventure that will eventually carry me from the Atlantic shores of New Jersey all the way to the Pacific in Southern California. After the roughest year of my life in 2025, this road trip feels like the ultimate reset: a full-year odyssey of iconic highways, national parks, mind-bending art, epic music, and endless sunrises and sunsets. But right now, I'm focusing on tomorrow and the rest of March—packing up, saying goodbyes, and hitting the highway toward Michigan. Tomorrow morning, I'll load the car and hug my mom one last time (until she visits Yellowstone), and depart from New Jersey heading west. This drive is super familiar—I've made the trek every summer since 2015—but this time it carries so much more meaning. It's the symbolic first step away from the East Coast life I've known, toward something entirely new.

The route follows my typical drive to Michigan, roughly 12-14 hours of driving without heavy stops. With rolling hills in Pennsylvania, city lights and farms throughout Ohio, and then the approach to Michigan's lakeside. Although profound, this leg isn't rushed. After arriving in Michigan, we'll have about 10 days to finish moving out of our house, pack the trailer fully, and tie up loose ends. It's bittersweet—closing one chapter while prepping for the big adventure ahead. Once I'm settled in Michigan for those remaining days of March, the focus shifts to practicalities and quiet preparation. No big music festival this time—that will have to wait for another year. Instead, it'll be about final house stuff: sorting, packing, loading the trailer with essentials for life on the road, and making sure everything's set for April's push west.

I also carved out time for reflection and family. Before leaving New Jersey tomorrow, I spent meaningful moments visiting my mom and grandmother in New Jersey and New York—those last hugs and conversations mean everything. We even spent some time at Lucy the Elephant! We made sure to snap our East Coast pictures. And my perfect princess kitty, Chloe? After much back-and-forth, I've decided she'll stay with my mom for now. Mom's already set up a cozy “Kitty Corner” for her, so she'll be spoiled rotten and treated like the royalty she is. Stay tuned—you'll eventually get to follow her adventures on her YouTube channel, @Chloe’sKittyCorner!

One of the most inspiring stops during my final days in New Jersey before hitting the road tomorrow was a visit to the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City. Standing beneath the five towering 380-foot turbines—New Jersey's first wind farm and the nation's pioneering urban coastal one—I felt a surge of hope amid the hum of spinning blades against the coastal sky. These giants, operational since 2005, generate clean energy that powers much of the massive wastewater treatment plant right there on-site, saving millions in energy costs and preventing tens of thousands of metric tons of CO₂ emissions over the years.

The site blends industrial purpose with environmental innovation beautifully: massive turbines rise dramatically near the water's edge, visible from approaching highways, and the occasional whoosh of the blades mixes with the salty breeze. It was a quiet, powerful reminder of sustainable progress in my home state—especially meaningful as I prepare to chase wide-open horizons and greener futures across the country. If you're ever near Atlantic City, check the ACUA's website for tour opportunities; it's a free, eye-opening glimpse into how wind power can transform everyday operations into something truly forward-thinking.

Michigan in late March offers a gentle transition into spring: cooler days often in the 30s or 40s°, possible lingering snow in northern areas, but signs of thaw everywhere—maybe some early blooms or lake views starting to brighten. If there's time between tasks, I might sneak in a quick walk by the water, grab some favorite eats, or just breathe in the fresh air before the long hauls begin. It's not glamorous, but these final days feel grounding—preparing mentally and logistically for the unknown miles ahead.

By the end of March, the trailer will be packed, my first house I had on my own, officially behind me, and April 1 will bring the real launch onto Route 66 from Chicago. But for now, tomorrow is about taking that first mile—one familiar road at a time. This journey starts with gratitude for the past and excitement for what's coming. Safe travels to anyone else hitting the road soon. 🛣️🚗🌿

xoxo

H, M