Tag: dog mom
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I Planned the Perfect Road Trip, Then Everything Changed
I spent weeks planning the beginning of this road trip—researching trails, forest roads, campsites, overlooks, and all the places Blaze and I wanted to explore on our way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Turns out, the trip had other plans. After days of delays and last-minute 4Runner prep, Blaze and I are finally on the road.…
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Ready or Not… We’re Leaving
I’ve been trying to leave for Michigan for days… and somehow, I’m still here. 😂 After months of planning, weeks of preparing the 4Runner, delayed parts, missing hardware, and one missed departure date, I’ve reached the point where I just need to GO. There are still a few hours of work to finish, groceries to…
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I Fixed Everything That Frustrated Me About My Car Camping Setup
In this video, I walk through every modification, why I made it, how much it cost, and whether I think it was actually worth the investment. Whether you’re building an overlanding rig, planning a long road trip, camping out of your SUV, or simply looking for practical 4Runner ideas, I hope my experience helps you…
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I didn’t recognize myself after van life
I didn’t realize how much van life impacted my nervous system… until I stopped. After stepping away from full-time van life, I expected to feel calm again.Instead, I felt restless, on edge, and disconnected from myself in ways I didn’t fully understand. In this video, I’m sharing the side of van life that doesn’t get…
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This Trip Felt Different… (And I finally know why)
This trip felt different. Not because I wanted it to… but because it had to be. I had a timeline, a few places I wanted to see, and two deadlines I couldn’t miss — which meant moving faster than I normally would. And somewhere along the way, I realized how much pace changes the way…
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I sold the van… and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Over a year ago, I set out to live full-time on the road in a van. In many ways, it gave me exactly what I was looking for — freedom, adventure, and a deeper sense of self-trust than I had ever experienced before. But over time, something shifted. In this video, I’m sharing where I’ve…
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I can’t believe this place exists in Virginia!
Join Blaze and me as we explore the infamous slot canyons of the East in Virginia with my good friend Thoai and her dog Blu.
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Blaze, the professional
When I set out to adopt a dog, I never thought I would become their cheerleader. In her three years by my side, Blaze has spent time romping around in countless rivers and streams, but not fast-moving ones like these. Nor has she been in deep water except for when I took her paddleboarding once.…
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like sprinkled brittle breadcrumbs
Some places capture your heart like your first crush and then they never let go. This is one of those places for me. I could come back here again, and again. I love how: The surrounding mountain ranges rise up out of nowhere like a well-timed geyser. The angular points of the mountain peaks painted…
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This is 48.
It’s become a tradition for me to spend my birthday on a trail. I’ve gone backpacking a handful of times since this all started. And today was no different. I made it a point to visit the Grand Canyon National Park the week of my birthday (back in May). While there, Blaze and I did…
Michelle and Blaze 