goldendoodles

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Beyond the sparkly dresses and dapper suits, New Years Eve has long since been my favorite holiday because of the potential each new year brings. While some may get cynical about crowded gyms, diet fads, and all around broken resolutions, I choose to focus on the opportunity for reflection and growth, and all the promise the new year holds.

This year was especially exciting as we found ourselves in a new state, with so much to discover. Although we have always enjoyed the outdoors, hiking in the mountains of the Carolinas is much different than hiking in the hills of Michigan. So often in our society we stress the importance of multitasking, however we find it challenging to make time to focus on truly being present. The mindfulness the mountains require to safely hike are a much welcome break from our fast past lifestyle. Watching for roots, rocks, steep ledges, and yes- snakes forces us to be aware of our surroundings. In addition, taking in the peaceful sights and sounds truly allows one to be in the moment.

Knowing all this, Drew and I decided to set a hiking goal for ourselves in the new year. With our new South Carolina State Park Pass in hand, we came up with the goal of hiking 220 miles in 2020. Through the process, we plan to tackle many of South Carolina’s 47 state parks, get to know our new state better, continue to reinforce an active lifestyle, and revisit some of our favorite trails when in Michigan. Although challenging, we know that our goal is attainable, and hope that you’ll follow along as we Hike 220.

Travelers are dreamers who make their desire for adventure a reality.

It seems the past 10 years we’ve often found ourselves emphasizing the word travel (versus vacation) because rarely do we leave ample time for rest and relaxation during our trips. Rather, we seek out opportunities for exploration, connection, and ways to truly experience each place that we visit. Although we’re seldom poolside or in a spa, our travels allow us to take pause, reignite a zest for life, and leave us feeling reinvigorated.

Nearly 5 years ago, we brought our goldendoodle, Wrangler Maize into our lives with hopes that he would help us begin to “settle down.” While he did add more routine into our lives, we couldn’t fight our lust for wandering, and instead we made him our trusty travel companion. Traveling with a dog isn’t always easy, but when you embrace the experience- it’s often better. Wrangler is always up to try new things, stops to smell the roses (and trees… and bushes…), and is a good (and adorable) conversation starter. He pushes us out of our comfort zones and is a reminder to enjoy the little things.

Over the years we’ve heard from friends, family, and complete strangers how awesome it is that Wrangler gets to tag along. Often, these conversations lead to questions on how we plan our trips. We’ve also been the go-to for food, drinks, events, hiking, and unique experiences whether in our hometown or simply places we’ve previously visited. This encouragement from loved ones, compounded with our passion for all-the-time adventure, has pushed us to start a pet-friendly travel blog.

Life’s adventures aren’t always a well planned trip, or a spontaneous venture; rather they are often the journeys we embark on when facing everyday experiences with curiosity and optimism. That is why we invite you to follow along with the day-to-day, the spontaneous, AND the well planned as we “take paws + adventure.”