Road Trip Tips
We know traveling home for the holidays can be stressful, so we’ve had one of our JBpack members Lucy tell us how she gears up to take her dog Fancy along for the ride!
-By Liz Prevedello
- What inspired you to start your blog and Instagram?
I started Fancy's Instagram about 6 years ago. I wanted a place to share pictures and document our lives, and now it's turned into so much more! I've made so many connections via Instagram and it's brought a love of photography into my life. It's really lovely always having people to hike with no matter where we visit.
I was inspired to start my blog a few years ago after we built up our road trip and hiking experience. I wanted to be able to give more in depth information about our adventures for the many people that were reaching out with questions. I've never been much of a writer but helping people enjoy (and respect) the outdoors has become a huge passion of mine!
- Tell us about your first road trip with Fancy. How did the plan come along?
Our first road trip was built around us attending the Bully Boo Walk to raise money for Fresno Bully Rescue. We made a full trip out of it by heading up the coast of California for a few days before heading inland. We visiting Santa Barbara, Big Sur, and Carmel By The Sea. Watching Fancy get to experience new places filled me with such wanderlust and I was hooked. We've now traveled all over the western US and Canada with plans to do a cross country trip hopefully next fall.
- Do you have any tips for first timers?
Plan ahead - traveling with a dog does require some prior planning. Do your research on dog friendly hikes, hotels, restaurants, etc.
You'll more than likely already be out of your comfort zone if this is your first road trip, so stay within your comfort zone in the activities you choose. Set yourself up for success and have fun with it!
Bring something along from home like a blanket or bed to provide comfort to your dog in new places.
- What are some road trip essentials that you can’t do without?
- cinch leash for easy on and off leash handling
- first aid kit
- my Jax and Bones 3 in 1 mat as it’s good in the car and to picnic with
- my Kelty Love Seat for cozy cuddles around the fire
- large portable power bank to power my phone, camera batteries, and laptop
As a solo female traveler I always bring items that make me feel safer in the backcountry such as: a knife, an axe, my Garmin InReach Explorer+, self jump starter, and a tire air compressor.
- What are your top three favorite road trip spots to go with Fancy?
Our top three spots would have to be Banff, Sedona, and Breckenridge. They're the places that keep us coming back for more year after year!