Last weekend, the three of us had a great time in Florida. It was my first time in the panhandle and Linley’s first time in Florida altogether. Our roadtrips and long weekends away are something I’ll always cherish, and am already missing so much (we got back on Sunday!)
We started our day on Thursday by exploring a couple places for lunch and nice views in the afternoon. Then once our AirBnB was ready for check-in, we relaxed on the patio for a little while. We all enjoyed soaking up some sun!
Our first sunset wasn’t the most successful, given that it suddenly became extremely foggy as we drove to the dog-friendly beach nearby. It was such a bummer because we really wanted to see it, but we were able to enjoy a sliver of it.
When I look back at these photos and videos, I get emotional because I love these moments together more than I can put into words. And I’ve genuinely enjoyed soaking up every sunset and sunrise with Linley over these past eight years, and now we get to do the same with Alex.
On a lighter note, of course our boy had to sniff and dig around in the sand!
And as much as Linley enjoys the beach, he doesn’t enjoy his post-beach routine (but we do!)
Media taken Thursday, March 5, 2026 in Panama City Beach, Florida🌴
Who knew Atlanta had a bamboo forest? I certainly didn’t, and the crazier part is that it’s near the dog beach we take Linley to all the time! I’m off this week and enjoyed my Tuesday “staycation” by frolicking in the woods with my best bud.
Linley is always up for the adventure!
Our total hike time was five hours(!) but I’d only anticipated about two or three. Luckily, Lin and I kept going and didn’t get tired out. The only times we stopped was when we wanted to take pictures, meet strangers or when one of Linley’s pack leaders of Two Chicks and a Pack recognized him. He’s basically a celebrity in Atlanta now 🤣
We easily could’ve (and probably should’ve) parked in a closer lot to the bamboo forest, and Alex apologized for giving us the wrong directions. But honestly, who could get mad at getting lost in the woods with their best friend? I certainly can’t, and “not all who wander are lost.” 💛 Plus all the meandering led us to meeting some friendly pups and humans!
I’m the happiest when I’m hiking!
Parcore!
Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!
Lin was like the energizer bunny and kept a great pace the entire time! But rightfully so, he needed a break and was exhausted! He was such a good boy getting back to the car and I took him to the pet store on our way back home.
I can’t wait until next time 🫶
Media taken Tuesday, March 3, 2026 on the East Palisades Trail in Atlanta, Georgia
Something I always enjoyed doing with Linley was hiking, so the fact that I have a husband and friends who want to tag along is so much fun; the more the merrier! We found a hiking trail near our AirBnB last weekend and it was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. Although it was warmer and a steeper slope than we expected, we had a ton of fun!
After a couple good meals for lunch and dinner, and LOTS of laughs, we enjoyed a cozy night in.
Next stop: Florida!
Media taken Saturday, February 28 in North Carolina
In my previous post, I talked about my appreciation for a good sunset nowadays. But if you’ve been following along for a while and remember some of my Chicago dog beach posts, y’all know how much I love a good sunrise! It’s a start of a new day, chapter or beginning in general. And sharing those quiet moments with Linley has meant the world to me over the course of these eight and a half years! Last weekend in North Carolina was no exception of that…
Saturday morning
Peeing with a view!
Sunday morning
Peeing with a view round two!
Media taken Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Murphy, North Carolina 🌅
I used to love the sunrise because it symbolized more than a new day, but also a new beginning and a fresh start. Ever since I found more peace and healing from my past, I’ve grown to appreciate a sunset in the same way; I know something good isn’t ending for me and that it’s simply starting over.
I’m facing growing pains now: learning which friendships are ones I want to continue cultivating in this chapter, am starting my own business while joining a new company next week, and am seeing a new therapist to help me through current challenges. But for the most part, I’m in a happy and healed place, so it’s time to celebrate all the moments life has to offer post-“survival mode” like before.
Last weekend, Alex, Linley and two of our closest friends and I went to a small town called Murphy, North Carolina for a friend’s weekend. Our first night at the cabin was so much fun because we relaxed outside, enjoyed stunning views, and laughed in each other’s company. It was cute seeing Linley soak it all in, too!
I look forward to more adventures with the guys and am going to cherish all these moments as they come.
Media taken Friday, February 27, 2026 in Murphy, North Carolina
Last Saturday, Alex and I felt like kids again while sledding up in Michigan. My parents still had some sleds and we headed to a hill I’d sled on as a kid all the time. My dad was so sweet to not only drive us there, but video us going down the hill!
I hadn’t went sledding in three or four years, and it’d been almost 20 years for Alex! We had a blast and it was so sweet to have these moments captured. I can’t wait for next time 🫶
And while we were sledding up in Michigan, Lin enjoyed some snow down here in Georgia!
Today has been a strange one: Alex’s grandmother passed, and it never snowed. I was so looking forward to visiting Lau Lau more and was looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year with her next month. The last time I saw her was Christmas and I wish I’d spent more time with her — both then and in general.
And is not seeing snow in Atlanta a big deal today? No. But the snow always makes me think of Michigan, my former home, and always makes me think of fond memories there. I’m not close with family but I am close with my parents, so I’m inevitably missing them more today. The snow always brought us together, even when things were distant.
I miss Lau Lau already and wish I could’ve spent more time with her. I don’t have a relationship with my parent’s moms, and it was warming to have Lau Lau welcome me the way she did. And I miss my parents and I wish my relationship with them was less strained. I wish I didn’t feel guilt about distancing myself, both physically and emotionally, from family members who’ve repeatedly hurt me before. Maybe I wish they’d never have hurt me at all. I’m just thinking about family and the complexity of it so much today.
What I can control is my new immediate family: Alex and Linley. Together, we’re the Tracey Trio, and before that, it felt like Linley and me against the world.
In honor of this, I wanted to post some media in reverse chronological order, ranging from our big Atlanta snow storm last January, all the way to Linley’s first ever time seeing snow in 2017. Atlanta is our new home now, but home is wherever my heart is, and my heart is always whole with my two favorite guys. And although I’m not religious but am definitely spiritual, I know Lau Lau is with her husband again, and I hope her heart is full as well. 🥹
My insomnia has significantly improved this week and I’m beyond grateful for that! The irony is that I’m up now, just past 1:30am my time, but it’s mainly due to sleeping off a migraine I had yesterday evening. I hope I can get some sleep shortly, but since I’m here, I wanted to write about when I’m the happiest. I saw someone else write about this recently and loved the idea, so I’m jumping in…
I’m happiest when I feel at peace with the past. I’m happiest when Linley is snoring and sandwiched in bed between Alex and me (like right now!) I’m happiest when I have balance in my life. I’m happiest when I have conversations with thought-provoking and creative friends and strangers. I’m happiest when I feel like I truly belong in Alex’s family. I’m happiest when a difficult past memory is nothing more than a moment, not an hour or day or period of sorrow.
I’m happiest when I see Alex and Linley running on the beach together. I’m happiest when I don’t let what happened in my past give me anxiety about the future. I’m happiest when I’m on a roadtrip or on a flight, about to have a new adventure. I’m happiest when that adrenaline rush hits while I’m doing something fun! I’m happiest when I feel a true sense of community in family, work and life. I’m happiest when I can be outside with Alex and Linley. I’m happiest when I’m on or near the water. I’m happiest when the guilt and shame that can consume me sometimes is finally set free.
I’m happiest when I let go of trying to impress other people. I’m happiest when people respect my boundaries, including myself. I’m happiest when I have a good conversation with a friend after a long day. I’m happiest when I can make an impact, even if it’s a small. I’m happiest when a friend and I catch up, especially if time has passed, and we pick up right where we left off. I’m happiest when my inbox is empty. I’m happiest when I’m away from my phone (yes, I see the irony in this…)
And I’d say I’m happiest when I finally stop putting the weight of the world on my shoulders!
I look forward to taking steps to ensure 2026 is a much lighter year. I need to heal.
Wedding day!The Grand CanyonATL Pride! (October 2025)
November seemed a lot calmer than October, but things are changing just as the leaves did.
November was a good month and I’m excited to practice more mindfulness in scheduling, peacefulness and achieving my goals.
Lunch back at one of our favorite places in Hilton HeadDinner with our best friendsA much-needed girl dinner
Piedmont dog park
Viagra Boys!!!
The best way to wake up
A new routine in La Mezcla classA beautiful sunset with Alex and LinleyExploring Folly Island and Charleston for the first timeLinley had the best time on National Hiking Day!More dog park fun
Being so close to nature
A pup cup from Uncle JesseA fun weekend with Linley and the Alex’sAdopt don’t shop!!! And donate this holiday season!Raindrops
Lin got another pup cup!My two favorite guysLinley’s version of being a sous chef!Thankful for Miss Ellie
Hiking Stone Mountain againAfternoons as a family
Lin being cute and sweet as ever
Yet another dog park day!My goofy husbandAnother metal show with Justin
Last year during Thanksgiving weekend, your favorite Tracey Trio hiked Stone Mountain. We decided to do this again, and plan on going on this family hike each year.
Hearing Lin crunch through the leaves, talking with Alex and feeling the sun and wind on my cheeks always makes for a great afternoon together. Being in nature with my two favorite fellas is the best way to spend an afternoon!
After rounding our favorite trails along the water, we decided to check out the quarry and learn more about the granite that was mined here.
I’m a few days late here, but I wanted to tell you all about Linley’s unique experience he had on National Hiking Day! I had no idea Monday was coincidentally this national day, but Linley took a hike with a cool group in Atlanta.
We found Two Chicks and a Pack at a local block party earlier this summer (East Atlanta Strut). It was an awesome event with tons of dog-friendly vendors, and they even had an agility course and show for professionals! When Alex and I saw the van, and ultimately Linley smelled his way to their booth, I was super excited to learn all about this group.
Two Chicks was founded by this awesome woman named Laraine and her best friend. Now there’s an entire team of people who transport and hike with dogs. How it was is that you sign up for a certain day and time, they come scoop up your pup, and they take your dog hiking in a pack! It’s that simple. This was a great alternative from doggy day care, as his previous one in Atlanta failed to inform us that kennel cough was going around, and Linley was recovering from that for nearly a month.
Linley did such a great job getting into the van and crate (that part surprised me haha) and was apparently leading the pack! He got to meet so many other people and dogs, and got to hike at Arabia Mountain in Georgia (I’ve lived here two years and I’ve never even been there!) Linley absolutely loves meeting new dogs and people, exploring new places and peeing on all the things, so they knew he was in heaven!
I can’t wait to sign Linley up for another hike in early December!
Photos taken on National Hiking Day, November 17, 2025 at Arabia Mountain, GA.
I hadn’t been to Tybee Island until the first weekend of November, and I already can’t wait to return! Alex, Linley, Courtney, Chris and I rode with Captain Seth on a charter boat through the marsh and sea of Tybee Island. It was nothing what we expected, but it was absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
As mentioned, we first rode through the marsh in our tiny boat. Seth went fast and it was such a rush! The water was only three feet deep, and was a delta where all the rivers fed into the ocean sea. Our boat actually got stuck at one point, but Alex and I knew Seth would get us out of the mess. Afterward, he went faster again and I was smiling from ear to ear! Seth took us to a sand bar that basically felt like a private beach, and we enjoyed some stretching and running around as we watched the sun begin to set and the birds begin to flock.
Although Courtney and Chris were with us this time, and although Alex was there and we’ve been to the beach as a family before, I couldn’t help but think of all the sunrises that Linley and I experienced during our year in Chicago. I took him every single morning, and it honestly saved my life. I didn’t have many friends there, I’d lost my job and was going through a divorce at the same time. Our sunrises together taught me that I could start anew, and Linley had been my loyal sidekick through all of it. It’s always hard to look back on the past without dwelling on it, and it makes me appreciate the moments we have together now more than ever.
After our fun on the sandbar/private beach, just when I thought our experience couldn’t get any better, it did. We were going fast in the ocean when Seth decided to stop suddenly. As we came to a stop, we saw a family of dolphins approach our boat! I’ve never seen dolphins before and I couldn’t believe my eyes; I started tearing up, Alex started filming and Linley was whining away haha. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience and it took my breath away.
Being with my two favorite fellas, two of my close friends and someone who led us to that moment was truly an unforgettable experience. We watched the moon and rode fast again once the dolphins let us be.
The last part of our ride back to the dock was equally as breathtaking as I saw the most beautiful sunset, which reminded me of a safari. I’ve seen sunsets in a few different countries and continents, but there was something really special about this one.
I didn’t get a horizontal picture of the sunset or photos of the constellations in the sky at night, but I’ll never forget any of it.
Until next time. 🫶
Media taken Saturday, November 1 on Tybee Island, Georgia. 🌅
