Hello! I'm Jen. I'm a writer, photographer, dog mom, and outdoor enthusiast. When I'm not writing about awesome ways to get outside with your dog, I'm probably out for a long trail run. I also fancy myself a pretty decent vegan cook, and am always happy to whip up a batch of cookies for friends. I am based in the Pacific Northwest and I never leave home without my dogs.
In 2017, a fire ripped through the Columbia River Gorge, leaving 153 hikers stranded overnight six miles into the Eagle Creek Trail. After this happened, there was a lot of talk about the importance of bringing along the 10 essentials for hiking. You just never know what might happen when[...]
We’re just entering fall in the Pacific Northwest, which means the rainy weather isn’t all that far away. Hiking in the rain scares off a lot of people, however I don’t mind. If I waited until the rain stopped, I wouldn’t go outside for five months. So, it’s just something I accept so[...]
On October 10th, 2018, we said an incredibly painful goodbye to Sora. I knew that day would be the worst of my life, and I also felt so much relief freeing her from that insipid recurring cancer. #fuckcancer As the anniversary of her death approaches, I wanted to do something to honor her[...]
This post is sponsored by GlampingHub.com and we were guests of Finca Les Coves. Finca Les Coves offers eco-friendly and pet-friendly glamping in Spain. The luxury accommodation is located in Jijona near Alicante in the Valencia department. The property sits on a large piece of land[...]
This post contains affiliate links. See disclosure for more details. Lightweight, portable dog beds are an essential travel item for adventure dogs. It seems that just about every outdoor company is coming out with a dog travel bed, some more travel-friendly than others. We have used a[...]
After returning to the Pacific Northwest once we finished our bicycle trip, I wanted to take the opportunity to better explore the region where I grew up. One weekend, Dave was in Portland and I was itching to hike. I didn’t feel like asking around to find a hiking partner the night[...]
Finding hotels that allow pets while traveling can be hit or miss. It can be especially challenging when you’re traveling in a foreign country that may not be so pet-friendly or where you don’t have easy access to WiFi to look up pet-friendly accommodations. During our travels, we’ve come[...]
If you want to start a heated conversation among dog owners, just ask about their encounters with other dogs on the trail. Hiking with dogs comes with a set of responsibilities that some simply do not understand or just choose to ignore. I’ve been there. When I first became a new[...]
We were guests of the Outdoor Capital of the UK and the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce during our visit. We are grateful for their hospitality and for the opportunity to explore their beautiful home. All opinions are our own. For well over a decade, the Scottish Highlands have been at the[...]
I’ve been doing some research for a future project I have in mind, which has required me to read as many books as I can find featuring dogs. I had no idea there were so many great reads for dog lovers out there! It’s amazing what you discover when you just open your eyes. I plan to[...]
You may be surprised to learn that your favorite hikes may contain several common plants, insects, and other parasites that are toxic to dogs. Before you head out on the trail, be sure you understand which are poisonous, especially if you’re hiking away from home in an unknown area. The[...]
Few of us care to admit when we start to notice signs of aging in our senior dogs. I know I denied the inevitability in Sora as she became older (pro tip: blue merle dogs really hide the gray!) However, if your dog is healthy, in good shape, and still has plenty of energy, there is[...]
One of the main reasons we enjoy camping trips so much, aside from our love of sleeping outdoors snuggled in our sleeping bags in the tent, is because they are almost always dog-friendly. Most campgrounds welcome dogs and, unlike hotels, rarely have pet fees. Unless we are camping with a[...]
When my parents planned a long layover in Paris en route to their dream trip to Africa, we drove our van to meet them there with the dogs. Since we were so close to the UK, we figured that we may as well continue north before Brexit makes entry to the UK more difficult. We, the pet travel[...]
Bend, Oregon is a favorite year round destination for adventure enthusiasts. A three hour drive from Portland, many head to the Central Oregon vacation spot in search of sun during the rainy winters, delicious craft beer, and all the outdoor activities one could ever want. Thanks to the[...]
I used to live in a small town in the Hudson Valley in New York, where I had trails literally right outside my door. I could head out and go for miles upon miles in pure bliss. The only thing missing was a dog. I suppose that began the start of my transition from road running to trail[...]
