I decided I’m going to make a new blog page about all our Tracey Trio adventures from July onward. It’s been a couples months of healing, facing hard truths and resilience. That said, it’s been wonderful to heal, laugh and love with Alex and Linley by my side.
Our summer adventures were so much fun and I can’t wait for more together!
I love the fall, but I’m not ready for it this year. The summer was just too good! Last summer, I was overcoming a back injury and could barely even walk Linley without being in pain. This summer, I did all the things I couldn’t before… and then some!
There were so many firsts for Alex, like camping and whitewater rafting, and so many for me as well. I can’t wait for more adventures as a couple, and as the “Tracey Trio,” even if that means cooler weather and changing leaves. 😌
On Friday, we went to our second Aqua Vino event at the aquarium again. To think a year ago, Hurricane Helene was coming through Atlanta and completely devastated Asheville… it’s quite wild. Not only did I come a long way since last year, but the Southeast did as well #southeaststrong
Saturday was also a ton of fun because we took it easy, explored a new part of the city during a block party, and enjoyed a chill evening together. At the block party, we saw dogs who were trained to do all these tricks with frisbees, too!
Sunday was also great, as we enjoyed a gluten free brewery event with one of our neighbors and her adorable pup, Brody! It was such a great afternoon, and I can’t wait for more memories!
Although I’ve been navigating career, friend and family stuff lately, I couldn’t be more grateful for living in the moment, enjoying the little things and for all the laughter I’ve had this summer. 💛
Media taken Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia 🍑
You read that right! Alex is 30 years old and he’d never been camping in a tent until last weekend. It was so special that his first time camping was with Lin and me, and it meant the world that Alex wanted to try something new with us. That’s one of my favorite things about him (there’s so many!): he’s always willing to try new things. 😀
We headed to Dahlonega, Georgia – a cute mountain town about an hour north of us in Atlanta – to have a nice seafood lunch on a patio in the center of town. That was as luxurious as the weekend would get, haha! From there, we ventured over to our HipCamp site in Dawsonville (we highly recommend going with a private campsite host as opposed to a large, public campsite) to pitch our tent by the river. Admittedly, we struggled the first time around because I put things together like I did in the past, NOT how I should’ve with this new REI tent we’d purchased. But after Alex thoroughly read the instructions – as he always does – we were successful!
Alex instantly calmed down once our tent was pitched and our site was set up with our chairs, table and all of Linley’s gear. We then strolled around the river, hung out on some cool rock formations, and Linley and I had a quick float together. I’d mentioned a few weeks ago that my friends in Michigan didn’t want to go with me, so it meant a lot to float again with Lin!
After some quality time on the water, we chilled at our site before dinner time. It was great to just hang out, listen to good music and talk about random things. I always love camping with Lin because he’s so good off-leash and he loves hanging out with me… and now, us!
Dinner was great, too! We kept it simple with some hot dogs – vegan sausage for me – on skewers. We tried starting a fire with magnesium and flint (since I’m trying to get on Survivor…), but we had to use a lighter instead. Our campsite host walked by and gave us a strange, funny look when we tried the old school way, but Alex reassured him he had a backup plan haha! After we ate, we enjoyed some snacks and drinks, and hung out by the fire until it was time for bed. It was the perfect evening with my two favorite fellas.
The next morning was bittersweet because I knew we had to head back, but I wasn’t ready to leave. I’m honestly not ready for summer and all the memories that came with it to be over, even though I do love the fall! And Lin was so cuddly in the tent, as he always is, and it made it even more difficult to get out and pack everything up.
Although Alex wasn’t used to camping in a tent, I’m really proud of him for trying something new, the three of us had a blast, and we’ll definitely try it again once it’s cooler.
Media taken Saturday, September 20 & Sunday, September 21 at our HipCamp site in Dawsonville, Georgia ⛺️
Linley’s Gotcha Day was September 9th, but we couldn’t properly celebrate with him until the 16th because he was quarantined with kennel cough. We’d wanted to get him on the Pooch Pontoon for his actual Gotcha Day, but postponed by a week instead. And boy was it fun!
A woman about an hour north of us lives on Lake Lanier, and she started her own business called Best Friends on the Lake. Her business is made for dogs who want to celebrate special occasions (like gotcha days or birthdays), and she even offers free rides for dogs in shelters or hospice care. Candace was truly a gem and was so loving; I could see why she would create a retirement business like this!
We met her at a boat launch on the lake, and saw her Pooch Pontoon covered in decorations for Linley! We then hopped in and rode to a private beach so Linley could play and run around for a while.
On the island were a couple beaches but also a forest area. Lin loved being off-leash and leading the way on the trail to the bigger beach! I was cute seeing him so happy and free.
Linley led the way again as we headed back to the Pooch Pontoon. Candace had some fun things set up for us, including a gotcha day treat, some props for photos and some artwork Lin could make by licking peanut butter. Although his art skills are probably at a D-, the afternoon was an A+!
The day had flown by way too fast, but it was time for us to head back to the boat launch. We snapped some more photos, talked with Candace about some of her favorite boat rides and history of the lake, and snagged some quotes on cards with her heavenly pups, too.
We will definitely be back, and the experience Candace created for us – and that she creates for other pups – was nothing short of amazing!
Media taken Tuesday, September 16 on Lake Lanier!
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about my time in Michigan and how it wasn’t the weekend I was hoping it would be. I’ve been feeling misunderstood and unheard in my career, in my friend groups, and in my family. I’ve been pushing myself to write because I truly haven’t felt like it in a while, but I know it’s good for me to get my feelings out of my head.
I’m extremely grateful for Alex, who has continued to try new things with me, explore new places with me and has encouraged me to do what I love most. The friends I’ve made through him feel like family and I’m forever grateful to them and him for that.
Even when times are uncertain and things feel rocky, there are people who care about you and love you. I need to remind myself of that, too.
Linley has been my best friend for eight years, Alex’s best friend for two years, and we think he’s ~11 years old as of yesterday.
Although we couldn’t celebrate as hard as we’d like (Linley is on the tail end of kennel cough!), we had a wonderful day, made it extra special for Linley, and can’t wait to celebrate our little guy all month long!
Linley, we love you!!! 💛
Media taken on Tuesday, September 9 for Linley’s Gotcha Day!
Not everyone gets a second – and better – chance at love, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have found my person. 💛
It’s been six months since our wedding day and I couldn’t be happier in our marriage. Alex is more than I ever could’ve dreamed of.
Cheers to six months and forever to go!
Photos taken Saturday, March 8 in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA✨
Last month was wild with a wave of hardship with friends, an unexpected-yet-sensible OCD diagnosis and questioning my career path. However, all that said, August was wonderful and also full of adventure, quality time and great memories!
I’m not ready for fall, but I am ready for an equally exciting September ahead… 💛
Alex and I went to a Braves game on August 24, literally as we dropped Linley off from our weekend in Blue Ridge. That made us want to take him along for a couple games this season. And although the Braves don’t do Bark in the Park the way the Detroit Tigers did, our minor league team does Wet Nose Wednesday’s!
Taking Linley to events is equally important to both Alex and me, and obviously Linley enjoys himself! We went to games on August 27 and September 3, and it means even more now as Linley is currently recovering from kennel cough. He’s doing great but makes is appreciate those moments as a family even more.
We can’t wait for more Wet Nose Wednesday’s at the Gwinnett Stripers games next season!
Media taken Sunday, August 24 at the Battery, and Wednesday, August 27 & Wednesday, September 3 at Coolray Field✨
This past Saturday and Sunday were the first days of me being back in my home state of Michigan since I moved here nearly two years ago. Although I had a nice time overall, it wasn’t the weekend I’d been expecting.
I desperately wanted to float the Huron River rapids in Ann Arbor with my best friend from high school, but she didn’t want to. I was craving deep conversation with my girlfriends, but it felt surface-level. I needed my girl time, but it became a trip with us four plus someone’s guy friend, too (super nice, but I wasn’t asked if that was okay and it wasn’t the purpose of the weekend). I missed Zingerman’s gluten free homemade mac and cheese, but instead we went to Cracker Barrel (because majority rules). I so badly wanted Linley to be there with me on the beach during sunrise, but he was back in Atlanta with Alex this time.
I honestly felt like I was part of *their* weekend, and it wasn’t quite *our* weekend.
Lake Erie and camping and seeing friends was nice and all, but it wasn’t the weekend I was hoping for, nor was it the weekend I truly needed. But honestly, maybe I did *need* it; it showed me that it’s perfectly fine to outgrow a place, outgrow types of weekends with friends, and outgrow the past.
And yes, I know Donna and I will be friends for life, but I think our friendship will change as time passes. She’s there and I’m here, and she’s in her routine and I’m not in one anymore. And none of what I’m reflecting on means that I didn’t appreciate the good moments from the trip, like some of our one-on-one time, walking on the beach, swimming in fresh water again, and being around a campsite with people I’ve done that with before who I’m comfortable around. I was just hoping my first time back in Michigan would’ve been a little more special in regard to what brings back fond memories for me.
Ultimately, I have no regrets and did enjoy camping in Michigan again, even if Lake Erie isn’t one of my special places. But next time I’m there, which won’t be at least for another couple or few years, it’ll be with Alex and Linley, and we’ll be in Ann Arbor.
It felt really great to be home on Sunday night, with my two favorite fellas picking me up from the airport.
Media taken Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31, 2025 at William C. Sterling park on Lake Erie.✨
Our second time in Blue Ridge was wonderful, adventurous and full of fun! Alex found a super cute tiny home for us with a beautiful view of the mountains, and we explored a winery and a lake as soon as we dropped everything off. We had no idea a lake was in the area, and we’ll definitely be back to check it out again.
We checked out a brewery before heading back to our place for the evening. It was rainy so we chilled inside, Alex grilled out and we listened to music that made me feel immersed in the mountains. I’ve been needing more nights like that in my life lately, and I always enjoy our “Tracey Trio” adventures!
The next morning, enjoyed the sunrise and then we walked around town and grabbed coffee (and a pup cup!), from a cute cafe called Mountain Momma’s Coffee, and enjoyed all the murals downtown. Being in Blue Ridge a second time really reminded me of northern Michigan and it was a great way to round out our summer travels.
We enjoyed breakfast back at the tiny home and were able to sit outside to enjoy the nice weather. Alex and I headed to the Tennessee boarder to go whitewater rafting in the Ocoee River, where the Atlanta Olympic trails took place! We felt bad leaving Linley at the AirBnB as we always do, but we found out that there’s whitewater rafting that’s much calmer in North Carolina and we plan on doing that with Linley in the spring. It was Alex’s first time rafting and we had a blast! The Rolling Thunder company we went with was wonderful and we’d highly recommend them; we’ll be going with our guide JP again, and he actually grew up in the same hometown as Alex! Small world…
When we got back from rafting, we hung out with Linley on the deck again for lunch. The whole day was perfect so far, but that linch was so wonderful. It was simple, beautiful and perfect in every way. I love all those little yet memorable moments with my two favorite guys!
After some burgers and more good music while we sat outside, we freshened up and headed back into town. We may have had a little too much to drink at a distillery because they were offering tastings, but all in all we had a great evening. And Linley, of course, got lots of attention!
Our next morning was chill as we packed up and grabbed breakfast in town again. I, admittedly, was quite sad to head back, but I know we’ll be back again soon!
Media taken Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24, 2025✨
I’m going through a wave of friendship loss again, similar to what happened in 2022 and 2023. The foundation that I built here in Atlanta a couple years ago when I first moved here is shaky now, so I’ve been trying old things I’ve always enjoyed with new people.
I went on a friend date recently and I needed a little encouragement from Alex and Linley beforehand…
A couple Saturday’s ago, Linley, Alex and I all went kayaking together. Although I used to take Linley kayaking all the time in Michigan, this was our first tandem kayak experience with Alex. It meant so much and I look forward to being on the water with them again.
And afterward, we went to a spot we love but normally don’t go to for brunch. Linley got some food so that’s all that really matters!
What was really new for me was joining a Meetup group for hikers! Alex, Linley and I joined a group called Lawrenceville Hikers, which is for members in Atlanta and the metro area. We checked out a new trail, which ironically connected to another trail we hiked last year, and met some cool people (and some cute pups!) We even set a participation record! We look forward to joining more group hikes this year.
Although things feel hard with friends right now, I’m trying really hard to find where I belong. 💛
Photos taken Friday, August 15-Sunday, August 17✨
Traveling with the Traceys 