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Adventures start where plans end.

For the past ten years we’ve taken a road trip each spring break. The past few years much of our time was spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains because of our love for Asheville and (our now-home) Greenville. Last year, we decided to mix it up and head to a state we’d never been before… Arkansas!

How we settled on Arkansas was really left to chance. After figuring out what state we’d never been to that would also be a reasonable drive, and remembering hearing of a bar that doubled as a dog park, we decided to head to Little Rock!

We started our first day in The Natural State with a hike at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Our first trail, Rocky Valley Trail, led us to the rock quarry pond where sandstone was once a major source for builders. The jade water was beautiful! Later, we took the East Quarry Trail where we climbed giant sandstones and overlooked the base of the Maumelle Rivers.

The next morning, we returned to Pinnacle Mountain, but this time to the East Summit Trail. We had no idea what we were in for! Although only 1.5 miles round trip, it’s a steep, strenuous, rock-filled 1,000+ft climb. Since Wrangler was healing from a pulled muscle, and we were ill-prepared, we didn’t attempt the climb in its entirety, but just enough to experience some serious hiking and breathtaking views!

While in Little Rock, we also got to explore the food and beer scene. Our first stop was Bark Bar, a bar and unleashed dog park all rolled into one! Upon arrival, owners provide their dog’s vaccine records, and can purchase a day or yearly pass for a small fee. The bar features both indoor and outdoor seating, drinks, and appetizers. The outdoor area also has a variety of pup-focused obstacles and entertainment, while inside features TVs and a loft area for events.

While in Little Rock, we also visited Diamond Bear, Stones Throw, and Flyway Brewing Companies. All three breweries had great beer, but Flyway featured possibly the best brewery food we’ve ever had. Although we wanted to try everything on the menu, we decided to go with the fried pickle planks, gumbo cheese fries, and blackened gator nachos. Sounds amazing right? They were.

Not into gator? They also make duck confit, buffalo chicken, and Cajun crawfish nachos (and did we mention each nacho is individually built?) Their menu also featured rustic soft pretzels with homemade salts (lavender, bacon, sriracha, and espresso) and sauces (chocolate, creole, and honey, hickory, or citrus mustards). Their craft beer was also top notch, with friendly locals and the downtown trolly passing through that created a fun, friendly atmosphere!

After a couple days in Little Rock, we decided to escape the city and instead experience more of Arkansas’ rustic side. Before heading out of town, we stopped at Little Rock Central High School- home of the Little Rock 9. The Little Rock 9 were the first nine African-American students to attend a once segregated school in Arkansas and an integral part of the fight for equal opportunity in education. Although hard to imagine the tumultuous times of desegregation, it was an honor to see a place where a better way was paved by these brave young people.

Admittedly, we knew very little about Little Rock going into our trip. Over the course of only a few days we discovered a glimpse of it’s beauty, history, food, and hospitality. In the days to follow, we continued to get a peek into what Arkansas has to offer as we traveled to Eureka Springs. Tune in to a future post to hear all about this quirky town, but in the meantime check out some of the links below for our favorite spots in Little Rock!

Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Bark Bar
Diamond Bear Brewing Company
Stones Throw Brewing Company
Flyway Brewing Company
Fassler Hall
Little Rock Central High School

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.

To travel is to feel the ancient intangibles and hear the whispers of history.

Our first instate trip since moving south took us to Charleston, the oldest city in South Carolina. Charleston, known as “The Holy City” because of its steeple dotted skyline, is also famous for its historic charm, waterfront views, and friendly people- what more could we ask for? Although only a three hour drive from our home in Greenville, the low country of Charleston is in stark contrast to the upstate. While we love our mountain views, we were happy to leave behind the rainy weather and welcome beach vibes in January.

Upon arrival, we crossed the Ravenel bridge into neighboring town Mount Pleasant in hopes of some waterfront dining and drinks. Our first stop was Saltwater Cowboys, a seafood bar and restaurant situated on Shem Creek. Not only did they feature must-haves like pickled fried okra and dockside frozen lemonade, but the complimentary views of Charleston Harbor and the surrounding marsh really made the experience. SWC also offered a dog treat menu, and even gifted Wrangler a SWC bandana!

After taking in some R&R, we headed over to Charles Towne Landing, the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas. Here, the grounds feature a multitude of walking and biking trails, a tall ship replica, animal forest, gardens, and much more. With Wrangler in tow, we decided to do the history walk, while taking in the Nicholas Spark-esque views wrapped in the twisted branches of live oaks draped in Spanish moss. It was breathtaking!

Next, we ventured downtown to see some favorite CHS landmarks. We visited rainbow row, battery park, and the pineapple fountain. Of course, we couldn’t help but gawk at all the beautiful architecture and daydream about the house we would buy if we ever hit the lottery. While we loved the bustling downtown, we opted for a more relaxed feel and headed to Sullivan’s island for dinner at Poe’s Tavern.

Although we had previously been to PT’s in Atlantic Beach, FL a few years back, we had to visit again after drooling over their insta posts ever since. PT’s features a unique menu of burgers (that can be customized with beef or chicken) all named after Poe’s writing, in addition to salads, fish tacos, appetizers, and an extensive drink menu! While there we learned that E.A. Poe spent part of his life on Sullivan’s Island when he joined the army under the name “Edgar A. Perry.” Before calling it a night, we grabbed a drink at Dunleavy’s Pub and chatted with some locals. We met a man who lives on his boat year round (jealous!), visited with some fellow dog-lovers, and even learned Bill Murray is known to steal a fry from unsuspecting S.I. diners! Finally, we decided to call it a day and headed back to the hotel for some much needed shut-eye.

While it was only day one, we managed a sneak peak of Charleston’s history as well as their modern foodie scene. Stay tuned for day two of our Charleston trip in a future post, but in the meantime check out links to some of our favorite spots we visited in this post!

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.”