We managed to take off from Fort Dix at an undisclosed time. Suffice it to say it was earlier than we anticipated, but not as early as we dreamed. Anyhow, we were very lucky to leave.

SFC Poulten, SPC Hope and myself rented a car, kicked the dust of Fort Dix off our boots and headed north-east. Even though I don’t think any of us could tolerate Fort Dix another minute, we did manage to stop at the post class-six shop for a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. SFC Poulten, in his excitement at the prospect of leaving the post, decided to treat us by paying, for which I hope to return the favor in time.

I was excited to see snow accumulated on the ground less than a 20 minute ride from post. Then we hit the dreadful New York City traffic as we approached the George Washington bridge. In his wisdom of having lived in New York for five years, Poulten managed to dodge much of the traffic after we crossed the bridge by taking the Henry Hudson Parkway. We blew past New York and into Connecticut to the Merritt Parkway. Having never traveled that route before I was impressed at how nice it was. It wasn’t your typical highway with asphalt here and there. It was a two-lane highway with trees. Yes, trees growing out of the median. What a drastic change from the concrete and steel ribbons of barren asphalt we found in New Jersey.

As we continued north, the depth of the snow steadily increased, which caused me great excitement. It felt good to be in New England again. I toyed with the idea of going snowboarding or skiing, while I was home, but decided not to test my luck. I’m a magnet for such disasters and the unit couldn’t afford to lose a Soldier this late in the game, so I thought better of it. As it turns out, I wouldn’t have time to get out anyway due to last-minute shopping, holiday well-wishes and such.

I really began to realize how much I will miss the country though, specifically New England. I arrived at the location of my previous unit, the 362nd MPAD in Manchester, NH around 1640. I gave my unit training NCO SFC O’Neill a call to see if she was still in her office, but she was not. I haven’t seen or talked to her in some time and am curious as to how the unit is now. I’ll have to drop her an email. 

I awaited for a ride from, perhaps the biggest thing I will miss over the next year… my beautiful girlfriend Jennifer! It took us nearly an hour to get to the highway from the reserve center, a ride that usually takes 10 minutes. The reason for the delay? SHOPPERS!!! They were everywhere, trying to get to the mall located off the exit we were trying to get to, ahhhhhhhh!!! I knew that I wouldn’t make it to see my parents that night, yet another thing that I will miss over the next year.

Well I thought, you can’t win them all. I had a sinking feeling inside when I realized that the next day I would join their ranks as LAST-MINUTE shopper.  BOOOO