Video summary

i'm leaving New York City

Main summary

Key takeaways

Lifestyle

Car prep before a big trip (NYC → vacation)

  • Before leaving, the vehicle got a practical “oil change” along with:
    • Two new tires
    • New brake pads
    • A new power-window master switch
    • A fixed coolant leak
  • There was also a quick test/fun moment—“a little bit of speed”—before heading out.

Road-trip routine + family logistics

  • The wife and kids fly ahead, while the speaker drives.
  • Travel included:
    • Multiple bags
    • The dog (specifically noted as a perk—“gets to take the dog”)
  • Food/errands on the way:
    • A basic grocery stop with “minimum groceries,” but lots of ice cream
  • Family tradition:
    • Each summer, the kids go to camp—described as a tradition of “get the kids out of the city.”

Quick stop in Mystic, Connecticut

  • A pit stop in Mystic, CT was planned to surprise a best friend from high school who works there.
  • The surprise logistics included leaving the dog in the car to avoid indoor trouble.
  • The stop also involved quick needs like groceries (and possibly other short stops en route).

Early-morning ferry plan (2:00–5:00 AM travel)

  • 2:00–2:25 AM: The speaker checks into/uses a motel, then leaves after minimal sleep.
  • ~4:30 AM: They head out while birds chirp and sunrise hasn’t fully arrived.
  • The goal: be first in line for the ferry, using standby instead of a reservation.

Standby loading twist

  • At the ferry/holding area, they learn:
    • You need a reservation to load the car onto the boat.
  • Since they don’t have one, they go on “drive on standby.”
  • Standby timing is unpredictable:
    • It could be about an hour
    • Or could stretch much longer (they mention “a week and a half”).

Standby car strategy + “Boy Scouts” packing mindset

  • The packing/rules philosophy is summarized as: “be prepared” (a Boy Scouts mindset).
  • Luggage strategy includes a folding wagon (useful, but not everything fits perfectly).
  • Packing breakdown:
    • One bag for Franny
    • One bag for Georgie
    • One bag for me
    • One bag for Candace
  • While the car waits in long standby rows, the speaker walks onto the ship on foot.

What loading looks like

  • They describe:
    • Long lines of rows of cars
    • Standby vehicles get loaded if space opens up
  • An anecdote follows about being “unsuccessful” at getting onto the ferry immediately, but they confirm they are on board by the time the narration reaches the ferry stage.

Ferry experience + arrival

  • They board the Martha’s Vineyard ferry.
  • There’s a briefing/welcome onboard.
  • Travel time is noted as ~2 hours.
  • The “land ho” moment is described as “almost there.”
  • The trip ends with excitement and celebration of starting vacation—“Here we go!”—and visible reactions.

Notable locations, products, and people

Locations

  • New York City (NYC)
  • Mystic, Connecticut
  • Martha’s Vineyard ferry terminal/area (implied)
  • The ferry ride to the island

Vehicle/service items

  • Oil change
  • Two new tires
  • New brake pads
  • New power-window master switch
  • Coolant leak fixed

Tools/products mentioned

  • Folding wagon for luggage

Ferry/tour speaker/announcement

  • Onboard welcome/briefing for the Martha’s Vineyard ferry (captain/crew-style)

People mentioned

  • Candace
  • Franny
  • Georgie
  • Joe (best friend from high school)
  • The wife and kids
  • The dog (“Piggy”)

Original video