Happy New Year 2023

Happy New Year! 2022 felt both super long and super short for some reason, but we made it. This time of the year I choose to spend traveling and reconnecting with my husband, so you'll get a new full post on Saturday.

I don't generally make resolutions, but I do try to make some goals for myself in order to make my life feel more full. Here are goals I I've made for 2023:

• Be Kind (this is a constant goal, because I feel like the world can use more kindness)
• Go somewhere new - I already have two new places on the calendar, but I'm also making a point to do things in Portland again. 
• Try new things - It's been difficult trying to do things that are outside of my normal routine, because we don't really go that many places, but we're going to start getting out again and exploring our city and surrounding areas again.
• Keep masking in crowded areas - Yes, maybe you're all sick of masking, but with so many sicknesses going around right now, I just think it makes sense, plus it's just a simple thing to do to prevent ourselves from getting ill.
• Encourage people to go to new places - I want people to realize that they can travel further and to different destinations than they normally do, but probably on the same budget.
• Revive Destination Potlucks - This is where I invite a group of friends over for a potluck themed for a destination. Everyone brings one or two dishes that are specific to that city/country/region, and we all eat new foods and learn about the destination. It's like Destination Date Nights, but food is homemade and more people get to participate.

I hope you're all having a great start to the year and the rest is just as good. Hit me with your own resolutions or goals - travel or otherwise - in the comments.

Dogs Who Travel

Travel rules, but you know what rules more? Dogs. I mean, that's just my opinion, but I love dogs and if I don't travel with mine, I'm making friends with pups on my trips. Eric doesn't take a ton of pictures, but he excels at capturing every dog  he sees, which always makes me smile when going through photos when I get home. Anyway, I thought I'd close out the year with a post full of happy photos, and useful tips for traveling with your dog.

If traveling with your dog sounds like something you want to do, and also something you dog would enjoy, great! Let's talk about ways to make it easier and more comfortable for everyone involved:

Stay hydrated

Just like you, dogs need to keep hydrated. If you don't have one of those non-spill bowls that are all the rage for travel times, stop for water breaks for everyone, but mostly for your pup, because they don't have thumbs for opening a water bottle. I always bring along a collapsible bowl and a reusable water bottle of ice water. 

My pup, Pippa, in our dog car seat. She's very chill.

Make pit stops 

Your dog also can't let you know they are dying for the potty. All that extra water has to go somewhere. Check out the rest areas along your way and plan to stop every few hours to let them do their business and stretch their legs. If you also have kids, you're probably doing this anyway. Then you won't be driving 19 hours straight and swear off road trips forever like that last time. Your GPS can show you where rest stops are along your route, or you can download the iExit app. 

My British friend: Vincent Van Dog

Comfy up the car 

Make sure your dog feels comfy and safe in the car, especially if they get nervous like my last one. Our current dog will just flop over and take a nap, even if you're just driving around the block, but I still want her to be comfortable for long rides, so we bring her bed that we can also bring it inside wherever we stay for the night. She also has her own car seat that allows her to see out the window, be contained, and also take a nap. 

Make their crate awesome

I'm not a crate person, but only because our last dog spent much of her life in one her first three years and I was sad for her, so I gave her the choice. She spent less and less time in there, so we put it in the garage. If your dog loves their crate, or it's the best way to travel with them not climbing all over everyone and getting in the way, make sure it's comfortable enough to spend hours at a time in. Get them a cushion or blanket so it's soft and inviting.

If yours, like mine, is a good car rider and doesn't need a crate, then maybe just invest in a seat belt for them, which pretty much keeps them from roaming around while you're on the move and keeps them safe in case you get into an accident. I have this one that clips into your seat and onto their harness. It allows them to move around enough and it's adjustable.

My San Juan Islands dog pal: Rudy Blue

Bring home with you

Just like I like to have a little bit of home with me, dogs feel comforted by something familiar. Bring along a gave blanket/pillow/bed and some favorite toys and they'll be happier. Don't forget their normal food and treats, too.

Stay on schedule

If you feed and walk your pup on a schedule, try to keep as close to that timetable as possible (even if you're giving extra walks and treats - because exercise makes you hungry). It'll keep them from getting confused and feel more normal even in a different place.

Do some research

Make sure you know where you can take your dog and where you can't. Find the number of a vet near where you'll be staying. Just in case. Look for dog parks and pet-friendly dining establishments. Many people bring their dogs to the Oregon beaches, so a lot of stores don't mind you shopping with a well-behaved pooch.

My pup, Rikka, who passed last year. She loved a sling.

Plan ahead

Make sure you're prepared for all the things you're going to do or. Might happen while you're away from home. Here's a list of what to plan for:

• Bring an extra collar/leash, because you never know when one will get broken or lost.
• Their fave food is obvs to some. Don't take this as an opportunity to have them sample new cuisines. It'll just make them sick. Remember, if they are very particular, like they'll only eat off of one particular plate, make sure to bring that with. I made the mistake of trying to feed Rikka off paper plates and she haaaated it and I had to make a run to Target for a heavy plastic plate.
• Invest in Doggles. We have a pair of Doggles sunglasses that Rikka used to wear at the beach or just lounging in the sun. If your pup likes to stick their head out the window, a pair of dog goggles are good for protecting their eyes from flying debris and might save you a trip to an unknown vet. If they won't tolerate them, but love to be outside, maybe a little brimmed hat/visor, and don't forget dog-friendly sunscreen for their sensitive ears and nose. They need protection just like you do.
• Going hiking or somewhere hot? Get your pup some shoes. Their paws are pretty sensitive, so you gotta protect them, just like your own feet. Maybe bring along a nice cooling collar, too. We have one like this and both dogs have loved it so far. You can get ice packs or use regular ice cubes (though those will be messier). We have one of these cooling mats as well, and it's a big hit, though a little slippery.
• Pack a carrier. My little one gets tired fairly easily, so when she starts to lag behind we scoop her up and carry her in a doggie sling. This is a good one, and so is this one that's also adjustable, so it's great for short and tall people. She can rest and still be part of things. It's also good for when we head into some shops.
• Download some phone apps to find dog parks, rest stops & dog-friendly restaurants.
• Things happen. Look up your route along the way and find emergency vet addresses and numbers to have on hand just in case.
• Don't forget meds/supplements if your dog normally takes them. You can always keep them in the cooler with your snacks and beverages.

How do you like to travel with your dog?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated monetarily should you make a purchase through them. I thank you in advance for supporting my site, but your dog will also thank you for making their travels awesome.

2023 Travel Resoutions

Somehow, 2022 has been both back to normal and not at all normal, but we were able to get out and travel more than the last two years combined, so I won't complain. We went to Arizona in January, Vegas in both February and July, and made it to Paris and Disneyland Paris in September. All in all, it was a pretty good year. 

We're sort of back to in-person brunches, though they are further between than they were pre-pandemic, because a lot of the restaurants that were are old stand-bys have closed or are no longer taking large reservations. Many other restaurants stopped doing breakfast altogether, so we have fewer options, but we're trying, and supplementing with other meet-ups, like going to art pop-ups and walking neighborhoods.

We are also back to doing small gatherings for celebrations, like our annual Harry Potter party and birthdays, and our non-profit has, officially, kicked off our return to big fundraisers, which is fantastic, because we're doing good, getting to see people again, and we're doing our best to be safe about it. 

This coming year is going to be interesting and busier than the last three. We don't have a ton planned, but I know more is coming to our calendar:

• January sees us in Palm Springs for a week.
• March may have us heading to Los Angeles for a few days.
• If my mom goes back to Tennessee this year, I may tag along and make her do some Nashville sightseeing before coming back home.
• Las Vegas is a tentative for July.
• Late September/early October will have us heading to Toronto and Niagara Falls. I'll keep working on my French for this, in case it comes in handy.
• I will try to do more Destination Date Nights, like I wanted to do this year, but ended up with too full of a calendar to do very many. 
• We may try to get back to doing Destination Potlucks, too, since we only did the one and then the world shut down. We'll see how interested my friends are in reviving these and we might intersperse these with Date Nights.

The Travel Goods Show has made a permanent move to Chicago and I'm not sure I'm able to get over there this year, which is disappointing, but not unexpected. I've wanted to visit the Travelon headquarters for years. I guess I'll have to see it in 2024.

In 2024, we're also talking about going to The Island of Hawaii in January and Eric also mentioned perhaps going to Peru, so he could brush up on his Spanish, and probably see cool stuff like Machu Picchu. 

All in all, 2023 is shaping up to be a great year. I can't wait to visit new places, make new friends, eat great food, and plan some awesome parties. 

What are you looking forward to for this next year?