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
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).
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.
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:
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
While Alex, Linley and I roadtrip, we always like to take selfies! Here are some of my favorites from our recent travels:
Photos taken July & August, 2026
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!
Media taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026
For some reason, in the fourth grade, I had a dream I lived in Portland, Maine. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit Portland so badly. Now that I have visited, I can say it’s because of not only the energy and beautiful scenery, but also the incredible food! Being celiac and pescatarian makes eating while traveling exponentially harder, but it felt like Portland, Maine was made for me.
Here are some of the best meals we had during our time in Maine:
Photos taken Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 2026
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.
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…
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
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 ⛰️
