Wanting to travel with her dog: This blogger is “Already Gone”
June 23, 2011 • Travel • Trends
Already Gone
by: Grace Foley, Arwen’s Pack
I admit I’m not altogether here these days. Our daughter has left for the summer to spend time with her grandparents and it’s been a tough few weeks missing her. I started thinking about summer vacations of the past and places I’d like to go and visit someday. I even looked into some RV rentals thinking that might be a fun way to spend some time this summer . (And a taste of what retirement might be like.)
In these thoughts, I always have the girls with us. There’s no real question as to whether we’d leave them behind or take them with us. It really wouldn’t feel like much of a vacation if I was worried about them and missing them. As sappy as this sounds, it’s the damn truth and I’m not going to apologize for loving and missing my girls. Maybe it’s just been that hard to be without T, but I don’t think breaking the pack down even further – even temporarily – would be bearable.
My vacation dreams involve a cross country drive. If I had my way, I think I’d like to drive to Washington see the northwest first. I know my earthy soul would fall in love with the luscious green forests and be inspired by the smell and feel of the moss underfoot. Nyxie would probably run smack into Bigfoot and we’d have to do interviews and talk to anthropologists about how we didn’t actually see Bigfoot, just his backside high-tailing it from Nyxie’s mouth. I’d love to see Portland, OR (the “other Portland” for us) and explore their microbreweries and creative culture. Arwen would con come sweet dog lover on a patio bar into giving her a just a taste of some yummy Porter.
We’d then cross the northern states – Idaho, Montana and Wyoming – in a quest to see wolves and this Big Sky I keep hearing about. Arwen would have the wolves in formation with a glance, and Nyxie would love the serenity of being far from a living soul. The road would take us through the Dakotas to see the Black Hills and the wild horses. Both girls would stare dumbfounded at the giant creatures surely only meant for them to chase.
I’ve discovered some wonderful people that live in Chicago and it’s a city I’ve always wanted to see. The girls would stare at us eating deep dish pizza and wonder why their humans are so cruel. I’d have us loop down through Kentucky and West Virginia, to revisit some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. Finally, I’d hit every last place along the East coast that I miss and love. This part of the trip might take awhile. We’d see some great music at the 9:30 Club in D.C., we’d have some Blue Crabs in Maryland, pizza in Greenwich Village, see the forests of Vermont and breeze the coast of New Hampshire. And just when you’d think we were done, we’d drive into Maine and be home again.
Chances are good we’ll be staying put – right here in Dallas. But I can dream!
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