Leaving fear behind

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It had always been a dream of mine to drive across the United States. In 1978 when I was five years old, my parents took me on a road trip, with my aunt and uncle, in a VW Beetle from New Jersey to San Francisco. I don't remember that trip, but I do remember others we had taken years later, traveling in the back of my parents' brown station wagon, making faces at the truckers.

That love of the open road stayed with me and now whenever I find myself longing for some adventure it is the feel of the highway beneath my wheels and a racing song on the radio that satisfies my soul.

By now I'm a road trip professional. I've gone North to Quebec and South to Key West. I've driven alone and with others. I've broken down on the road and waited out getting my car fixed at Sea World. So when I was laid off two weeks ago, I knew it was time to hit the road again.

For some people, the anxiety of not having a job might paralyze them. For me, it was freeing. I had been laid off before and each time I had "celebrated" with a trip. The first time was in 2001, during the dot-com bust. Within 48 hours of my last day I was on a flight to London. In 2005 after I got laid off for a second time that year, I embarked on a solo mid-west loop.

I am ready now for the most extensive road trip I've ever taken on my own: New Jersey to San Francisco.

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I am so excited to take this journey. Excited about the places I'll see, the friends I'll meet up with, the chance to meet new people along the way. I'm even more excited for the chance to share this adventure with friends, family and anyone else who happens to follow along virtually.

This trip represents the optimism of tomorrow; the freedom to leave fears behind, and the hope that something great is just around the bend.