"Woah, we're halfway there..."

Just like that classic Bon Jovi anthem, we're officially halfway to our goal—actually a bit more than halfway! With 14 of the required 25 destinations now completed, we only have 11 flights left to achieve our 25 years of Mosaic status. It's an incredible feeling to cross that halfway mark and realize we're genuinely going to pull this off.

This weekend was all about strategic efficiency: balancing the number and expense of flights with the time and distance we'd spend in the air. The goal wasn't just to rack up destinations, but to do it smartly and cost-effectively while still enjoying the journey.

Weekend Success: Six Flights, Six New Destinations

We absolutely nailed our weekend strategy, completing 6 flights to 6 new destinations: PVD (Providence), TPA (Tampa), BDL (Hartford), PBI (West Palm Beach), HPN (White Plains), and RSW (Fort Myers). The best part? Zero overlapping airports, which means every single flight moved us closer to our goal without any wasted routing.

Even better, we managed to keep costs reasonable with an average of just $112 per flight. When you consider that each flight gets us closer to 25 years of elite status plus 700,000+ TrueBlue points, that's exceptional value. The key was booking strategically, mixing shorter regional hops with longer routes to optimize both our route map and our budget.

The Psychology of Halfway

There's something powerful about crossing the halfway point in any major challenge. The first half often feels like you're building momentum, wondering if you can really pull it off. But once you hit that midpoint, the psychology shifts completely. Now we can see the finish line, and every destination brings us closer to what will be one of the most valuable travel rewards we've ever earned.

Looking at our progress so far, we've covered an impressive geographic spread—from New England airports like BOS, PVD and BDL, down to Florida destinations like TPA, PBI, FLL, and RSW, plus strategic stops like HPN, JFK in the New York area and just a few special destinations like CHS and SAV. We're building a solid foundation that will make the remaining 11 destinations easier to plan and execute.

Date Night Discoveries: Culinary Gems Along the Route

Two destinations have particularly stood out for their exceptional dining experiences that transformed routine challenge stops into memorable date nights. As I mentioned before, we're viewing this challenge as more than just a 'mileage run'—instead, this is a time for me and the most beautiful girl in the world to spend some uninterrupted time together exploring and connecting. These meals reminded us why building in time for local experiences makes the challenge so much richer than simply collecting airport codes.

Millwright's Restaurant in Hartford was an absolute revelation. Founded in 1680 as a grist mill, this historic gem still showcases the original waterfall that once powered the mill—you can hear the water rushing as you dine, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and romantic. The charm of the place hasn't changed over four centuries, and stepping inside feels like discovering a secret that locals have been keeping. No wonder it's listed as one of the top romantic restaurants in the world.

The Tomato Focaccia arrived warm and fragrant, setting the tone for what would become one of our most memorable meals of the challenge. The vegetable plate was a masterclass in seasonal preparation—each component perfectly cooked and thoughtfully composed. But the seared Black Bass and Salmon was the true standout. The fish achieved that perfect balance of flaky interior and crispy skin that only comes from expert technique, while the accompanying corn succotash and complex sauces were nothing short of extraordinary— layered flavors that elevated all of the dishes.

Red Horse by David Burke in White Plains provided another excellent date night experience during our HPN stop. The restaurant's sophisticated atmosphere and creative menu made it clear why David Burke's reputation extends well beyond New York City. The meal reinforced our strategy of researching local dining options in advance—these discoveries have become some of our favorite memories from the challenge.

Both restaurants proved that taking time for proper meals, rather than rushing through destinations, adds immeasurable value to the experience. These aren't just fuel stops; they're opportunities to connect with the cities JetBlue serves and create lasting memories together.

What's Next: The Final Push Strategy

With 11 destinations remaining, we're entering the strategic endgame phase. We've proven we can execute complex weekend routings efficiently, and we've got the experience now to handle delays, connections, and the inevitable challenges that come with intensive travel.

The remaining destinations will likely include some of the more challenging routes we've been saving, including a turnaround in San Juan. Pro-Tip San Juan is a US territory, so you don't need a passport or to clear immigration or customs, making it ideal for a quick destination from FLL or PBI (we are actually doing FLL->SJU->EWK, picking up 2 new destinations). With more than half our challenge complete and a proven system for managing costs and logistics, we're confident about reaching all 25 destinations before the end of September, well before the December 31st deadline.

Most importantly, we're still enjoying the journey. Each destination has brought its own experiences and memories, from excellent meals to unexpected discoveries. The challenge isn't just about collecting airport codes—it's about experiencing the breadth of JetBlue's network and the diverse destinations they serve.

Eleven flights to go. The finish line is in sight, and it feels amazing.