After a full 12 hours of sleep, I allowed myself a slower start to the day. It’s rare for me not to jump right into a packed schedule first thing in the morning, so I enjoyed every minute. Waking up fully recharged, I kicked off my day by editing footage, writing up the blog, and catching up on the previous day’s work. My room became a mini creative studio as I got into the rhythm of piecing together the journey and reflecting on how far I’d come. This blogging journey is as much about sharing my trip as it is about reliving it, and it’s brought a new energy to the experience.

After wrapping up my morning routine, I joined my AJS networking group from the hotel room. Even on the road, the group’s encouragement has been a steady source of motivation, reminding me why I’m doing this in the first place. Each person’s insight, feedback, and stories about their own journeys inspire me to keep pushing forward with my work, and it felt good to catch up with everyone virtually.

With my morning commitments handled, it was finally time to hit the road. My first stop was a small family-run diner, tucked away about an hour outside of South Bend, Indiana. There’s something about diners that brings out the best of any small town – a sense of community that you can taste in every bite and feel in every “Good morning!” My waitress was a gem, full of personality, and she laughed as I shared stories from my road trip. Between sips of coffee and bites of fluffy pancakes, I told her about my destination, Maine, and my goal to make it a cross-country adventure worth remembering. Diners just have this way of making you feel connected to a place, even if you’re just passing through.

Long Roads and City Lights

Once I was back on the road, I knew it was going to be a long haul. With a later start than usual, plus a few planned stops, I anticipated pulling into my destination pretty late. The skies were overcast and the air cool – perfect conditions for a reflective drive. These Midwest roads have a rhythm of their own, and I enjoyed the quiet as I made my way toward Cleveland, Ohio. When I finally approached the city, I was welcomed by the soft glow of city lights against the evening sky. There’s a certain beauty to cityscapes at dusk, especially when you’re just passing through, catching only a glimpse of all the life happening within. Cleveland felt like a quiet rush of energy, a nice contrast to the rural stops I’d been making.

A Call with Red: Community in Focus

Along the way, I touched base with Redbau, Wildercraft’s owner and a good friend of mine. We talked about the upcoming plans for Wildercraft and its role as a virtual refuge. Wildercraft has grown into a truly empathetic, welcoming place where people from all backgrounds can come together, build, and just escape from the real world. It’s a world that, for many, feels like a needed safe haven. Red mentioned how the recent election had sparked some concerns among players, and we reflected on the role Wildercraft plays in providing a supportive online community. The server is intentionally politics-free, but knowing we can be that place of understanding and fun means a lot. We tossed around ideas on how we could foster even more positivity, maybe by hosting some light-hearted events or offering a space where people can feel a bit of joy amidst all the outside noise.

Late-Night Work and Familiar Routines

Arriving at my hotel in the late evening, I was tired but knew I had more to do. The reality of life on the road as a digital nomad is that the work doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling – if anything, it becomes a little more challenging and definitely more rewarding. As soon as I dropped my bags, I set up my workspace in the hotel room, ready to tackle the night’s tasks. It felt familiar, like my college days pulling all-nighters for creative projects. Back then, I’d brew pot after pot of coffee (thanks to a job at Starbucks) and even bring a coffee machine to share with fellow students during those late hours.