My travel log is finally coming to an end. Last week, I found myself dragging my feet, hesitant to post the last of my travel photos --- as if posting them was going to end the trip. Fear is such a funny thing.

Closing out the trip allows the blog to shift in focus towards lifestyle. As a high school dropout, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to travel. As I look back, I'm glad I took my time on this road trip. It wasn't the cheapest venture... and Miami was quite possibly the furthest out-of-the-way I could have travelled when heading west but I learned a lot and that is what matters.

It is a great privilege to travel and I have found such joy in curating my own life.

Thank you all for showing up, time after time to show your support, this blog couldn't exist without you.

[Rewind] As for the travel log, The boyfriend left me in Albuquerque before I headed west. He caught a plane back to Pittsburgh. He treated me to an extra night in the city, giving me some long sought after alone time, try New Mexico's famous green chile enchiladas (mine had an egg on it!) and to rest up for the impending drive. It was 11 hours from New Mexico to Orange County, CA where I would be staking claim on a friend's couch for a couple of days.

Driving through the Grand Canyon alone was both lonely and empowering.

I often find myself on these adventures wishing there were people around to share the minutes with. On the other hand, it's empowering to stand at the edge of the world and say I did it! I made it here all by myself!

The photo below is of the sun setting across the highway on my way into California. I hit the state line wrapped in a blanket of assurance. This move felt right!

I drove up to the produce checkpoint ( yes, we have these in CA) with my Pennsylvania plates, and a car full of not-so-worldly belongings.

"Do you have any produce and where are you coming from?"

"New Mexico, no veggies or fruit here."

"Then welcome to California."

"Happy to be home!"