Let’s be honest: we did not want to leave. Monday morning was slow. We dragged our feet—and paws—getting up late, taking a leisurely loop around the Sheraton’s dog path, and barely making it to breakfast before the doors closed. (Kenobi handled the delay with his usual charm and patience, though he did shoot me a... Continue Reading →
Sunday, June 29 – Sunny Skies, Splashing Tails, and a Stroll Down Memory Lane
After a full night of deep sleep and stormy dreams (thanks, tornado sirens), Kenobi and I slept in until after 9 a.m., which may be a record on this trip. We woke up slow and happy, the sun already high and the skies perfectly clear—a true Minneapolis summer morning. We made our way to Rustica Bakery, because... Continue Reading →
The Great North Reboot: Hiking Boots, Lake Views & Glazed Perfection
Alright, adventure crew — it feels like Kenobi and I have been in hibernation mode for way too long. Not totally off the grid, but definitely not chasing sunsets down winding highways or getting our boots muddy in the middle of nowhere like we should be. The wanderlust is real, and let me tell you... Continue Reading →
Reviewing Lessons to Move Forward
In June of 2015, I packed up all of my belongings and moved them into a storage unit in New York City for the summer. My dog, Kenobi, and I got into a rental car and started our trip out West. In preparation, I had mapped out all of the National Forests where we'd stay,... Continue Reading →
Making It Happen
It's time. What seemed to be a catastrophe is really an opportunity. Time is now on my side to tackle not the Ultimate Road Trip, but the The Optimal U.S. National Parks Centennial Road Trip. Yes, this one was created by Randal S. Olson, too and includes stops at 47 National Parks. Perfect! Again, he states... Continue Reading →
Full Day of Hiking
We were not up very early, but got a great start on the day's hiking. After filling up on breakfast, we prepared for the entire day out on trails. That means Kenobi was carrying a full back pack (Ruffwear Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack for Dogs, Orange Poppy (2017), Medium) with his water, treats, baggies, and... Continue Reading →
Day One–Road Trip to Grand Marais
We left almost on time on Wednesday just after noon and didn't face much traffic at all except for the two construction areas along 35W north. Even there, it wasn't bad--a single lane but not stopping. It was a gorgeous day for a road trip. Smooth and easy--from Minneapolis: 100 to 35W north to 61... Continue Reading →
Gooseberry Falls, MN
Kenobi and I headed north on Thursday, September 7, 2016 to camp and hike along the North Shore in Minnesota. It was a long, but beautiful drive from Chicago, through Wisconsin, past Duluth to our first stop, Gooseberry Falls campground. Thunderstorms were predicted, so I was anxious to get the tent up and fasten a... Continue Reading →
Day One at the Falls
Our first day out, we walked to Niagara Falls National Park. It's about an eight-minute walk from the Hanover House. We wandered the entire walking trail on the U.S. Side. Not much of a hike, but a really nice walk. We started around Goat Island, ventured out across Three Sister's Islands and back, and continued... Continue Reading →
Thinking Through the Ultimate Road Trip
Here's the map of the 13, 699 mile route: Photo: Randy Olson/Google Maps Here's the list of landmarks to visit: Grand Canyon, Arizona Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah Craters of the Moon, Idaho Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Pikes Peak, Colorado Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico The Alamo, Texas The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma Toltec... Continue Reading →
On the Trails with Kenobi 