A great week with Alex & Linley

August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I’m wide awake at 2:45am (which is highly unlikely me) because I’m so sad the fun of this week is over. I wish my mind didn’t think like that, but sometimes I long for the moments that just passed.

I know tomorrow (well, technically today) I’ll be in a better mood during my walks with Linley and throughout my conversations with Alex, but for now, I’m hearing them snore next to me, anxiously awaiting our next adventure.

East Palisades Dog Beach

We live about 20 minutes away from a bamboo forest trail that begins with a lovely dog beach! While I miss the Great Lakes very much, this kind of dog beach on the river is something Linley and I never experienced before coming here. Alex and I had so much fun encouraging Linley to explore, especially while jumping up on the rocks!

Wet Nose Wednesday

Our local Gwinnett Stripers baseball team hosted another Wet Nose Wednesday where pups are allowed at the games. They’re super fun and feature foster dogs as well, and any organization that supports rescuing is a winner in my book! We had so much fun and we can’t wait to go back next month. This was Alex’s and Linley’s fourth game today, and was my third.

Floating in Helen, Georgia

Yesterday (still feels like today to me because I’m up late 😅), I enjoyed one of the best days of my summer yet. Alex, Linley, two of our best friends and I floated in Helen, Georgia. We laughed, we had to navigate rapids and crowds, and Linley received tons of attention per usual. It was the perfect day with people I love. We then stopped for lunch nearby with the kindest server, Jordan, and enjoyed some mountain views at a local winery. This day was so perfect that I didn’t want it to end!

While I’m sad this week is over, I know we’ll have several fun memories to come this summer, too! And I’m going to cherish the days we already had together this week. 😌

Media taken Saturday, August 25, Wednesday, August 19 & Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Weekend in Chattanooga

August 8, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

Last weekend, Alex, Linley and I spent time in the Chattanooga area with my French tutor, her husband Jon and their dog Buddy. Janet and I have been working together virtually since April of last year, but we’ve never had the opportunity to meet in person until last Thursday evening.

What I love about language and travel isn’t *just* the language and travel; it’s the people. The people you meet along the way make experiences so much more fulfilling, and Janet has embodied that and then some for me. Janet holds me accountable, is an expert in not only learning French but five other languages too, and is my biggest cheerleader when I can’t find the right words or when I accomplish something difficult.

Everyone learning a new language needs a Janet, and every traveler needs a Geerlings family. I strive to be like Janet with my ESL students and change coaching clients alike: by cheerleading and holding others accountable to achieve their goals.

Thank you to International Language Cafe and The Chattanooga School of Language for bringing Janet to me!

Here were some highlights from our weekend together:

Linley sleeping in Alex’s spot of the bed

Alex carrying Linley down the stairs

Riverwalk and art gallery in Chattanooga

Linley being filmed for a restaurant’s dog month content, like the celebrity he is!

Not pictured: Linley and Buddy playing non-stop, Linley trying to jump in the Guinea Fowls’s crate, all the laughs while playing cards and all the memories around the dinner table. 💛

Media taken Thursday, July 30 – Sunday, August 2, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN

Missing Maine

August 3, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

It’s been a few weeks since we left Portland, Maine, and I’ve been missing it so much. From all the great food, tons of laughs, strolling around downtown, swimming in the ocean, driving with the windows down and enjoying all the views, Portland was awesome. Everyone was super friendly and welcomed us with kindness. I can’t wait to visit again soon!

Linley enjoying the drive

A bachelorette party’s dog sticker for me!

Our favorite spot on the dock

…and the seagull’s favorite spot

Having fun at our AirBnB

Media taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026

Alex’s Mazda Climbed Mount Washington!

August 1, 2026August 1, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Before heading east, one of my clients said I couldn’t pass through Vermont and New Hampshire without visiting the White Mountains. I felt super ignorant, but I didn’t even realize the White Mountains were a thing! Apparently, we have a mountain range on the east coast that looks exactly like the Alps and I had no idea until a couple months ago…

Needless to say: I’m grateful for the recommendation and it was worth the extra day of the trip!

After our Franconia Notch hike, we cooled down with a drive up Mount Washington. We could’ve hiked it; however, to our surprise, it’s the most dangerous mountain hike in North America. While only slightly above 6,000 feet in elevation, the weather can change on a dime and people constantly get stranded, blown off the mountain from a wind gust or get hypothermia from the drastic changes in weather. I love Alex and Linley too much to risk anything crazy happening! It was smarter to drive, especially after the “moderate” hike we’d already done that morning.

The drive up was beautiful and I soaked up every moment of it. We saw the temperature drop from 85° to about 59°, and saw the Sunny sky turn to an ominous fog. Even though I’ve jumped out of a plane at 18,000 feet, there was something about the foggy drive up that made me feel like we were going to fall off the edge (Alex is a great driver though!)

Once we got to the top, we parked by the couple and their dog we’d seen at dinner the night before. Great minds think alike! We enjoyed some photos and videos of our 360° views around us. It really did feel like I was back in Norway or somewhere else in Europe when we were up there.

Yes, Linley was begging for food at the top!

Bumper sticker we received on the way up

The drive down was absolutely stunning as it warmed and cleared up. I took much more videos then, as Linley was loving the fresh air and as I was comforted by us using lower gear…

Toys for Linley we bought on the way down: Douglas and Tanner!

We will definitely be in the area again while we travel to upstate New York next summer!

Media taken Friday, July 10, 2026 at Mount Washington Summit

Echo Lake/Franconia Notch Views

July 30, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

The views we saw in New Hampshire were worth the steep and hot hike, that’s for sure! Before we drove up Mount Washington, we wanted to move a little when the rained cleared. Alex found a “quick,” “moderate” hike that really turned out to be a difficult, long one – but it was worth every second. Navigating through tree roots, embracing the post-storm heat and sun, and crawling up parts of the trail were unexpected challenges. Luckily, Linley had been through agility training recently, so he was extra ready to jump over and walk under things!

At the top, we met a kind couple from Rhode Island who recommended we camp there next time we visit. I’m going to follow through on that next summer, and maybe with kayaking and a stroll around the lake. 😌

Photos taken Friday, July 10, 2026 ⛰️

Traveling through Vermont & New Hampshire

July 29, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

After a bittersweet goodbye to Alex’s family, we hit the road toward Maine. I was sad to leave Clayton, Alex’s family and all the memories from Linley’s and my second visit, but was excited to have a “Tracey Trio” part of the vacation.

Driving through Vermont and New Hampshire, two states none of us had ever visited before, was absolutely beautiful! Taking in the Green and White mountain ranges were gorgeous and transported be to a new world.

I can’t wait to spend more time on the east coast next summer!

Taking the ferry from NY to VT!

Media taken Thursday, July 9 and Friday, July 10, 2026 in VT & NH!

Thank you Clayton, New York!

July 28, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

From strolling around downtown, to lazy mornings looking at the water at our rental, and swimming at the lake house, Clayton never disappoints. As sad as we were to miss the family trip last year, it was certainly worth the wait.

We’ll be back next summer, Clayton! ✌️

Lin exploring by the water

Lin doesn’t appreciate the sunset like we do…

Reminds me of our Chicago dog beach days!

Lin got the zoomies!

Good morning from Lin!

Media taken Tuesday, July 7 – Thursday, July 9, 2026 🌊

Welcomed back to Clayton, NY

July 22, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

After visiting friends in Virginia, we headed to Clayton, New York for the annual Tracey/Viglucci/Yuhas family trip. Alex, Linley and I couldn’t attend last year because we took two weeks off work for our honeymoon, but it was great to be part of the family trip for my second time.

In 2024, us three had a whole extra home to ourselves; this year, we shared with more family members because over 20 of us made the trip this time! We were greeted with a surprise on our bedroom door, hugs from family, and sunshine on Washington Island. It felt so good to be back.

We didn’t see the baby swan we saw two years ago (aka: the Baby Lin swan!), but it’s probably because he’s all grown up now. But we did see our two favorite swans swimming around the island.

After getting settled in, we wanted to head into downtown Clayton for some ice cream, long walks on the waterfront and a nice dinner at Channelside. It felt like yesterday since we were back, and the views, kindness and comfort were just as memorable as last time. Linley was the talk of the town as we strolled around before dinner, and even got attention (and free food!) during our meal.

After dinner, we enjoyed a cozy night in so we could grab coffee in town again the next morning. Linley wanted some of Alex’s breakfast sandwich, and was lucky enough to get some while we chatted with Aunt Maryann.

I miss Clayton already, and will share more posts from our lovely time there. 💛

Media taken Sunday, July 5 – Monday, July 6, 2026 in Clayton, New York.

A rainy weekend in Asheville

June 2, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

It’s hard to believe that we returned from one of my favorite places over a week ago. Asheville, North Carolina has been such a special place for me ever since I first volunteered there in 2015. Asheville is where I’ve had some of my best hikes, have met some of my closest friends and even considered it to be a potential home.

Last weekend Alex, two of our best friends, Linley and I all headed to the mountains for what was supposed to be a weekend full on sunshine, hiking and outdoor time. Instead, we got rained on 95% of the time and had to deal with that during most of our hikes. We still made the most of it and it was fun to get away for a long weekend.

We hiked some new spots, some of my previous favorites (including Cedar Mountain, which I wrote about in my latest post!) and enjoyed quality time together. We even ate at a newer place downtown called Posanas, where Linley got to enjoy his own doggie dinner, too!

Rain or sun, I would highly recommend heading to Asheville for your next mountain getaway! I can’t wait to go again.

Comparisons

May 31, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

We all do it: we compare ourselves to others, we compare present day to the past… it’s human. And last weekend I couldn’t help but compare where I’m at now vs. where I was at in 2022.

Linley and me hiking in Asheville (2022)

On my trip back at Chicago from Asheville in 2022, Linley was by my side through some hard times. One of my best friends called me on my drive to tell me that she was expecting her first child, meanwhile I was telling her that a divorce was in my foreseeable future. I was so excited for all my close friends going through such amazing milestones in their lives, meanwhile I was at the loneliest point in my marriage and physical location of Chicago.

Linley, Alex and me hiking at the same spot in 2026

Last weekend I took Alex and some of our friends to the same spot Linley and I enjoyed four years ago. Although it was rainy, we made the most of it. And it’s really similar to my life right now: it’s a literal and metaphorical rainy season, but I’m making the most of every moment and am enjoying the rain as it comes.

To think in 2022 I was struggling in my family dynamics, certain friendships, my marriage, location and career. Now my biggest worry is that I won’t be able to make it as a solopreneur, but have never felt more loved and supported.

Photos taken in 2022 and 2026 in Asheville, North Carolina

Agility Training • Alex & Linley 🐾

May 30, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

In 2017 when I first rescued Linley, I knew I wanted to sign him up for training. Lin wasn’t a bad dog by any means, but he had a lot of anxiety and abandonment issues prior to finding his way to my heart. Plus I figured it’d be great bonding for us, because he was still figuring me out.

Proud boy

On Christmas last year, I wanted to do something special for Alex and Linley to give them the same experience. The founder of Linley’s dog hiking group, Two Chicks and a Pack, recommended Megan at Primed Instincts for dog agility training here in Atlanta. I signed the boys up right away, and they had the best time together!

And here’s some videos if you want to see the guys in action:

I was lucky enough to watch the last two weeks of the agility trainings, and seeing my two favorite fellas always melts my heart! It was cute to see Linley smiling through all the obstacles, and he’d get so serious when following Alex for a treat. And it was awesome to see Alex so serious too; it was like they were both in “work mode.”

Even an 11-year-old dog can learn new tricks, so never sell yourself short 😉

Media taken Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Walker Park in Atlanta, GA

Celebrating Alex in North Georgia

May 21, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

Alex’s birthday was Saturday, and we had a great time in the mountains of North Georgia! We started our morning with a hike on Blood Mountain where we had stunning views all around us. It was a nice spot to rest, and we even saw a blue lizard scurry nearby.

After our hike, we grabbed lunch at a local spot in downtown Dahlonega that we love so much. We sat outside, enjoyed some sweet tea and seafood, and Linley got even more attention than our birthday boy.

After realizing that Linley had a tick on him in the car (we’re all good, thank goodness!), we enjoyed more stunning views at a winery Alex loves. I’m doing an alcohol-free year but I enjoyed a Sprite while Alex enjoyed a glass of red wine. All three of us were basking in the sun and enjoying the moment together.