Miles with Micro: Prepping for the Journey of a Lifetime
The open road is calling, and I can’t wait to answer. Over the next few months, I’ll be embarking on a cross-country adventure, from the sun-drenched shores of San Diego to the wooded trails of Maine, and looping back again through the heart of the South. This journey isn’t just about logging miles; it’s about connecting with people, rediscovering places, and digging deep into the stories and cultures that shape us all. It’s the first time I’ll be sharing such a personal journey so publicly, and the blend of excitement and a bit of nervousness has made it all the more real.
Preparing for the Road (And a Goodbye to Hobbes)
Planning a trip of this scope requires more than just a roadmap and gas money. While I’ve been setting up routes and finalizing stops, it’s the smaller, daily details that are grounding me in the days leading up to departure. From adjusting my work setup to go mobile to organizing my digital projects, there’s a ton to think about. I’ll be working entirely off my laptop, backed up with a solid one-terabyte of projects and files, to keep both work and play seamless on the road.
Leaving my cat, Hobbes, in the capable hands of my roommate, Luke, is one of the hardest parts. Hobbes has been my sidekick through countless moves and changes, and it’s tough knowing he won’t be sitting by the door when I come home at the end of each day. Luke has graciously agreed to take on “Hobbes duty,” and while I’ll miss him, it’s comforting to know he’ll be in great hands.
Emotional Ups and Downs: The Excitement, Gratitude, and Last-Minute Packing Frenzy
Emotionally, I’m feeling a whirlwind—mostly excited, with a touch of the usual pre-trip nerves. Travel, for me, isn’t just about the destinations; it’s about the experience of getting there and connecting with the people and places along the way. This time, I’m fueled by an immense sense of gratitude. Having this chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues, and even see online connections in real life is something I don’t take for granted.
In true road-trip spirit, I’d love to say I’ve got it all packed and planned, but if history tells us anything, my actual departure will probably include a last-minute, late-night scramble. There’s something about the chaos of packing that seems to fit with the spirit of the journey itself, and, well, I’ve learned to embrace it!
Stops Along the Way: Reconnecting, Networking, and Rediscovering
Each leg of this trip holds its own set of stories and opportunities. From San Diego and Los Angeles to New England and beyond, every place has people to meet and tales to tell. A stop in Los Angeles will include an interview—my first one on the road—marking what I hope will be one of many valuable connections along the way. In Maine, I’ll be staying with close friends, Andrew and Scott, whose hospitality will be my base for exploring the region and working on Scott’s website project. Andrew and I go way back, and there’s something special about reuniting with friends who’ve seen you through so many phases of life.
Learning and Growing with Startup Week San Diego
This past week, I had the chance to attend Startup Week San Diego—a week filled with incredible energy, groundbreaking ideas, and some of the brightest minds in tech. One of my favorite stops was ClickUp, a productivity powerhouse. ClickUp’s team was warm, inviting, and dedicated to building a tool that enhances collaboration and workflow, something I’m passionate about. Meeting with ClickUp developers and the Head of Community sparked new ideas and made me feel even more excited about blending creative tech with the social aspects of my work.
In sessions on Generative AI and Prompt Engineering, I soaked up knowledge that will not only fuel this journey but hopefully lead to some exciting collaborations. Startup Week was the perfect springboard into this adventure, reminding me of how much I love connecting with others, learning new tools, and taking ideas to new heights.
Goals on the Road: Learning, Meeting, Growing
Throughout this journey, my goals remain open-ended yet full of purpose. I’m ready to learn something new every day, whether it’s about the places I visit or a deeper understanding of my own path. Documenting this trip is also a challenge I’m taking on wholeheartedly. Blogging isn’t new to me, but sharing this personal journey will be a different experience entirely. Each post, photo, and story I share will be a small bridge between my life on the road and all of you following along.
If you’ve ever found yourself connecting deeply with a place or a person on the road, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. So join me in this digital scrapbook of moments and miles. Let’s keep the conversation alive, and don’t hesitate to share any must-visit spots along the way.
What’s the best travel story or advice you have for someone hitting the road?
11 thoughts on “Miles with Micro: Prepping for the Journey of a Lifetime”
Hey Jared, glad I’m the first pic of you’re upcoming journey. Stay safe!
Thanks Phelan for all the support!
No mention of the vehicle you’re taking? My advice is that you have a good one that’s reliable. It’s gonna be your companion.
Absolutely. I’m driving a 2022 Mazda CX-30 Turbo. I love my car and I’ve taken it across country before!! 😀
The best advice i could give you since your hitting the road is always check out truck stops! they carry some of the strangest and yummy things, I’ve been to one that was pacman themed! check out kwik star, OH and caseys in iowa! try their pizza, I enjoy their taco pizza the most!!! watch out for truckers falling asleep and aligators (popped tires laying on the side of the road lol) and most importantly. HAVE FUN!
You rock!! Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions. I love roadside stops and I plan to hit quite a few!!
Jared- Best of luck on this adventure! Make sure to arrange at least a quick stop in Portsmouth, NH.
I definitely will! Let’s grab coffee or something!
Depends.
I love this blog…thanks for sharing the journey with me…..
Thanks so much for joining along!