Friday was our fourth time on Hilton Head Island Beach, and it didn’t disappoint. While the tide was high, so was Linley’s energy! It was busier and the beach was narrower than we were expecting, but we still enjoyed some time with our feet (and paws) in the sand.
We can never leave Hilton Head Island without stopping at Hudson’s on the Dock for lunch! It’s a tradition after all…
Until next year, Hilton Head!
Media taken Friday, October 30, 2026 on Hilton Head Island 🏝️
The title of this post is pretty self-explanatory, but everything is better with Alex. Big things like traveling far away or little things like taking Linley on a walk are all exponentially better with Alex around.
We had some fun times in Europe recently, and of course we always do right here in Atlanta. Whether it’s day-to-day or a big adventure, I can’t wait for more!
Photos taken in October, 2026
In March, Linley and I hiked the East Palisades Trail in Atlanta, which leads to a beautiful bamboo forest. Yesterday, we revisited the trail and had another wonderful hike!
What I love most about the trail is that about half of it is right along the water, and the other half has you weaving through beautiful trails in the woods. It’s the best of both worlds, and everywhere you look leaves you in awe.
Aside from Linley trying to eat the bamboo leaves, he was extremely well-behaved and sweet during the hike! I’m glad he wanted to hang out by the bamboo and water as much as I did; we enjoyed the sunshine, views and each other’s company.
We enjoyed our walk back, knowing that we’ll visit again soon (hopefully next time with Alex!) It was super cute to see Linley on a mission during the last half of our hike, and he was like the Energizer Bunny!
Between getting love and attention from a stranger at a resting point, eating bamboo leaves, trying to stick his head in mysterious animal holes and keeping a great pace, Lin was exhausted and fell asleep right away 🤣
We can’t wait for next time! 🤩🐾
Media taken Monday, October 19, 2026 on the East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest.
You’ll never understand
How I feel on a daily basis
The thoughts circling through my head
The fears and hopes and dreams I have
•
You’ll never understand
So it’s my job to teach you
To show you
To let you in
•
You’ll never understand
Even though you say you do
Because you didn’t know me then
And you may not even know me now
•
You’ll never understand
Because I don’t even understand
I’m changing and growing and evolving
I’m reintroducing me to myself, too
To love harder or to let go
Does it have to be one or the other?
Why not both?
Why not neither?
•
Sometimes to love is to let go
Letting go can be freeing
Letting go can be hard
Why does it have to be this way?
•
What if I change “this way?”
What if I let others come to me
The way that I used to come to them
Embrace with open arms when ready
•
Maybe I’ll try that
Because loving harder hurts me
Because letting go hurts others
And I want everyone to win
No one will ever love me like you do
No one will ever look at me like you do
No one will ever listen to me like you do
No one will ever welcome me like you do
No one will ever come close to you
The way you make me feel
The way I laugh around you
The way you bring the playful side out of me
You’re my best friend and I can’t thank you enough for that.
Did you know you can rescue your best friend?
There, I said it. I don’t have the same excitement about or fulfillment from traveling alone the way that I used to before.
Ever since age 18, I’ve been traveling by myself across the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. I used to love solo travel, especially before the pandemic; there was something about it that felt exciting and liberating.
I remember in 2020, I told my then-therapist that I didn’t have the same urge to travel anymore. While many people were looking to explore during and after the lockdown, I was simply seeking stability and happiness in my own home. I didn’t feel the need to “run away” like I used to, but that quickly changed a couple years later, when my ex and I went through our divorce after a ten-year relationship.
Now, the way I travel looks entirely different. Instead of hopping on planes and trains, I’m far more happy driving across the country with my husband and with Linley still. Even our honeymoon last year was a “Tracey Trio” roadtrip, rather than a lavish European getaway or tropical all-inclusive resort.
Today, I sit on a train heading from Ghent back to Brussels, where I’ve been alone for a handful of days. I absolutely hate it! I hate being alone. It makes being in a new place feel damp when it used to fill my cup immensely. All I’ve kept thinking was, “Alex would love this; I wish he was here with me,” or “Awe that dog is so cute! I miss Linley so much!”
I know I’ll be traveling alone for my ESL tutoring work; however, I won’t feel alone because I’ll be surrounded by children and villagers all day while I’m abroad. But there’s something about being physically alone that I don’t enjoy anymore, and that’s okay. It’s a sign that I’m changing and my priorities are loud and clear.
At least I got some cool pictures out of this, as well as some good meals. I know that minimizes things and I’m grateful to be here, and have also had some nice moments, but I can’t wait to see Alex here tomorrow!
Post written Tuesday, October 6 in Belgium; photos taken October, 2026 in Luxembourg and Belgium (Brussels and Ghent).
It’s hard to believe that one week ago, Alex and I were strolling through the Atlanta Botanical Garden for some much-needed quality time in nature. We enjoyed several exhibitions, classical music in the gardens and some cocktails (mocktails for me) at a fancy bar inside Piedmont Park.
It’s funny how every time we do something, we see things in threes (for the Tracey Trio!) and something dog related, almost as if Linley guilts us for not bringing him along…
There’s something really special about wandering around and doing nothing with Alex; it’s probably my favorite thing to do with him. We were pointing out different plants that we enjoyed, and read all the descriptions we could find.
After re-upping on our drinks, we weaved through some windy paths and saw the lovely goddess (one of my favorite parts of the botanical gardens) and other fun surprises, like haikus written by elementary school students!
I miss this evening so much already, and I look forward to many more with Alex by my side!
Photos taken Thursday, September 24, 2026 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The day before Linley’s gotcha day was extra special. We took Linley to another annual Bark in the Park, which is hosted by the Detroit Tigers every year. This was Linley’s and my fifth or sixth game, my mom’s third, my dad’s second and Alex’s first!
Linley was so excited to be back and get all these treats (and attention!) like he had in years past. I was equally as excited because seeing Alex see this through his eyes was heartwarming.
We loved seeing all the other pups nearby, and simply being together as a family meant so much to me. It was a great pre-celebration of Linley’s big day!
I can’t wait for the next one!
Photos taken Tuesday, September 8, 2026 🐯⚾️
After exploring the Empire Bluff Trail with Linley again and with Alex for the first time, we returned to a new beach that we stumbled upon before lunch. I can’t believe I’d lived in Michigan with Linley for six years, and yet I’d never even heard of Elberta Beach! It was truly a hidden gem.
We checked it out at lunchtime, and knew this was where we wanted to be at sunset. It was a massive beach with some smaller dunes, not too many people, some dogs and a cute pier with a small lighthouse at the end of it. Running along the beach with Alex and Linley is a staple of a solid “Tracey Trio” vacation, and that evening was no exception.
I get emotional whenever I look at photos or watch videos from our beach trips. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else other than with my two brown-eyed boys with our toes in the sand and smiles on our faces.
Until next time! 🥹
Alex, Linley and I spent time with loved ones in Michigan a couple weeks ago, and it felt good to be back. Our experience there solidified long-term friendships, drew lines in the sand with others, and I was able to meet three virtual friends in person for the first time. While certain chapters closing is always hard, the closure and healing I found in my home state was not only meaningful, but necessary.
Alex had only been to Michigan one other time (in the dead of winter, so he could appreciate the lovely summer-into-fall weather!). Linley hadn’t been back since we moved to Atlanta in 2023, and my first time back last year was a flop. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it again anyway: this trip was exactly what we all needed.
Media taken Saturday, September 5 – Friday, September 11, 2026 in Michigan.
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.
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!
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.
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.
