Au Sable Light Station and Log Slide Trail

August 22, 2020August 22, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

Another dog-friendly activity we participated in during our time at Pictured Rocks was visiting the Au Sable Light Station. There was a nice trail between this point and our next attraction that called for some great views – and photos!

The three of us relaxed and had some Gatorade (Lin did not…) as the waves below us crashed into the cliffs. No photos can truly capture upper Michigan’s beauty, but they can always capture Lin’s attitude(s)…

“First they’re sour,”

then they’re sweet!”

After our snacks, we hit the trail and headed East for great views of the dunes. To Juan’s and my surprise, we didn’t even realize the upper peninsula even had dunes to explore!

One main viewing point was along the log slide trail, where they literally slide logs to freighter ships. We didn’t dare go all the way down because it took people (even hyper children and cross fitters) over an hour to climb back up! The views were worth the trek though.

Photos taken Sunday, August 16, 2020

Lake Superior Beach

August 21, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

After a (shockingly!) restful night’s sleep in the Jeep, we hit the beach for a morning walk. Lin and I were the first ones there, and we allowed Juan to get s’more beauty sleep.

There was a small creek flowing into Lake Superior that Lin and I wanted to explore (and by ‘explore,’ I mean dig around in for hours!). We obviously had Juan on photography-duty!

Watching Lin dig, sniff and mark his turf in and around the creek was thoroughly entertaining! Juan and I walked and sat with him for about two hours while he went on this little adventure. If only we could see the world through our pup’s eyes…

…and no day at the beach is complete without a nap!

I hope you enjoy this post! More to come…

Photos taken Sunday, August 16, 2020

Sunset at the Lake Superior Beach Overlook

August 20, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

Last Saturday, Juan, Lin and I needed to find a place to park our Jeep for the night. Luckily, we found the perfect spot:

The best part? We were able to hit the beach first thing in the morning!

Our pup had the best time exploring a creek leading to the lake; stay tuned for that post next 😊

Miners Castle

August 19, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

After visiting one of Michigan’s most beloved waterfalls, the three of us wanted to explore one of Pictured Rocks’ best views: Miners Castle.

This was by far one of the most picturesque spots in all of Pictured Rocks, and luckily we arrived when it wasn’t too busy. Not only were the cliffs a sight to see, but the teal water made you want to jump right in!

…Linley also had a blast while marking new territory!

Lake Michigan with mom and Linley

May 28, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 1 Comment

Yesterday I decided to take my dog, Linley, up north to hang out on the beach and do some hiking. Luckily my mom was able to join us and we had a fun, all-day adventure!

Linley and I picked my mom up early and we headed north around 7:00am. Before we headed toward the beach, we found a unique cafe where everything was gluten, dairy and soy free. We had to sip some iced coffee, indulge in morning pastries and take some photos on the butterfly bench!

Once we replenished, we ventured toward Empire Beach. This took as longer than we’d thought, however, because our GPS didn’t take us to the dog-friendly area like I’d hoped. We may have lost an hour of time, but we made up for it elsewhere.

I may be a prepared dog mom, but my mom is the prepared human mom! She brought us so many snacks and even some matching hats. I would’ve traveled north with Linley myself, but it’s always better when she’s around, too!

Linley had so much fun in the sand! We found a cool place where he had plenty of shade and could dig to make himself even cooler. We were on the beach for about an hour or so; we even put Linley’s life jacket on so he could swim a little!

After my mom and I had enough of the heat, we headed toward Empire Trail where we could all experience some shade. The trail is tucked back in the woods and once you reach the end, you’re in the midst of pristine sand dunes. My mom was intrigued by markings in the trees, where as Linley was busy leaving his mark on all the trees!

I didn’t capture many photos from yesterday; simply being with my mom and pup meant the world to me. Thankfully my mom took a sweet photo of Linley napping under our bench…

After we rested on the bluffs, we headed back down the trail, enjoyed a nice dinner in downtown Traverse City, and were back on the road again. Linley was fantastic in the car, on the beach and during our hikes; I can’t imagine going on these adventures without him (or without my mom for that matter)!

My Dorky Dog

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

I am IN LOVE with my dorky dog! Linley is a good boy with a little bit of sass every now and then…

During the holidays, Linley was not a fan of his new PJs or the fact that I donated some of his old toys to pups in need.

He also poses around the house and looks at me with disapproval when I eat too much chocolate!

Linley is also the side-eye expert, especially when I’m taking photos of him or when he’s my copilot.

Did I mention that my pupper is tired of all the photos?

But did I mention that it’s tiring to carry him around while I’m trying to cook dinner? Lin is a needy pup!

I love my dorky, sassy, high-maintenance pup! Linley is truly my best friend.

PS: yes, that is a toy with my husband’s face on it 😂

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Cousin!

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

Katy, who is three years younger than me and lives miles away, has been a sister to me for a very long time.

I’m not close with a lot of my extended family members (for reasons I won’t mention here), so having a third-cousin who is more like a sibling means the world to me. Every single time we reunite, we pick up right where we left off.

Words can’t express how much I love this lady! Katy, if you’re reading this, I’m blessed to know you and call you a friend and sister. Happy birthday!

We’ve had many amazing memories over the years, and we’re guaranteed to have many more 🙂

Going Places with your Pup

July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 5 Comments

If you’re anything like my husband and me, you have a difficult time doing anything without your dog. After all, dogs are part of the family!

Here are some tips for traveling with your pup:

Do your research before you go. Bring Fido and other apps like Trip Advisor are great resources. You need to know where pets are allowed and what activities you can do with the entire family!
Bring a bag for your pup! Juan and I had more gear for Linley than we did for ourselves, especially when hiking in northern Michigan. Bring food, water, toys, treats, gear and worst-case-scenario items for your furry friend.
Travel safely at all times. Whether you’re driving a long distance, walking in your neighborhood or visiting a new place, you need to be aware of your surroundings and consider your dog’s safety at all times. Also take breaks for rest, food, etc. into consideration.

Linley is definitely part of the family, and we’re very excited to take him on more adventures! 🙂

Loving East Lansing!

February 22, 2019June 1, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

Every basketball season, my dad and I head to East Lansing to see the Spartans win!

Although we both love college basketball, that’s not the best part of our time together. We always grab breakfast and dinner, shakes at the MSU Diary Store, some souvenirs and share lots of laughs.

My parents met and fell in love at MSU, which is yet another reason why I enjoy East Lansing as much as I do!

My dad and I are very close and seeing him get all excited about being back on campus fills my heart with warmth 🙂

It’s Always Happy in Hamburg (March, 2016)

January 19, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 5 Comments

I have visited a dear friend in Hamburg, Germany twice now: once in 2012 and once in 2016. I love this city very much and have nothing but good things to say about it. In fact, Hamburg was my first city visited outside of North America and has been a gateway for my many adventures abroad! The late night dancing, scenery, food, streets, harbor and good company keep me easily entertained and happy whenever I spend time with Saskia and her parents!

First Day in Lima, Peru (June, 2018)

October 6, 2018January 28, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

I’ve been missing my mother-daughter travels and have been holding off on posting photos from my Canon Rebel. Early this morning I’ve finally uploaded them and am ready to share them with all of you 🙂

My mom and I were in no rush during our first full day in Lima; we decided to walk in gardens and explore off the beaten path.

We admired how bright and colorful everything was! We truly knew we were in a new place that was very different from life in Michigan.

After visiting a local garden, my mom and I chose to walk toward the coast and visit some parks. It was the perfect day: not too hot, not too cold, not too bright! Seeing families and dogs at the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) reminded us of Chicago.

Although the colors at the park were admirable, the architecture was also impressive. I was never able to visit Barcelona when I was in Spain, but I felt like I was at the famous Park Guell!

Even though Parque del Amor was surrounded with romance, I am thankful to have shared this experience with my mom. We both enjoy walking around and soaking in new culture, which made Lima a great destination!

Machu Picchu, Peru in iOS (July, 2018)

August 28, 2018January 28, 2019 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

Being with my mom was obviously the best part of Peru.

The second? Walking the steps of Machu Picchu (llamas are the third)!

My favorite movie growing up was The Emperor’s New Groove (lets be honest, it still is!) and being here made me feel like I was alongside David Spade and John Goodman. I’m so happy my mom found these Kuzco shirts!

More importantly, I have been fascinated with The Inca Empire since the sixth grade. I had a teacher who had been to Peru many times and shared his experience and stories with us in great detail. Plus, my fiancé is Ecuadorian and I somehow felt closer to his culture and past.

Our guide, Jamie (“Hi May” in Spanish, Jamie in English) was THE BEST! He provided us with unique information that we otherwise wouldn’t have learned. We also had a phenomenal group with us (one guy lives ~30 minutes away from me)! The experience as a whole was incredible. My mom and I also felt like Amazon women walking through the ancient city, standing at 5’8” and 5’10”!

After our amazing day, we had to take a bus back down to the city centre. Unfortunately, I was a bit car sick and my mom had a killer migraine! We relaxed in town, then headed back to Cusco via train. Our Machu Picchu Train was awesome and I was even able to dance with the god Carmen during the staff’s “fashion show!”