If you are ever lucky enough to drive up or down the Oregon coast, there is a tiny beach with views of a gorgeous lighthouse that is worth the detour. Between Florence and Yachats on the Pacific Coast Highway lies Cape Cove Beach and the Heceta Head Lighthouse. The beach and lighthouse are located in Devil’s Elbow State Park, which is home to miles of hiking trails, amazing bird- and seal-watching, and stunning views of the coastal sea stacks. We took a family trip and spent the day playing fetch in the ocean.

The beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. Me, ready for adventure! The Heceta Head Lighthouse above the shore.

We spent the day mostly playing fetch until Mom got tired.

It was a perfect day.  C’mon, Mom, let’s play! I chased her around the shore. Until we finally found a stick!  The water was freakin’ freezing.  We had to take a break when our feet were numb. Dad was exploring the rocks around the shore.  I wanted to join them, but I couldn’t climb up! So I did my own thing for a bit. When it was cloudy, Mom took pictures of the lighthouse.  The old lighthouse keeper’s house was renovated into a bed and breakfast. Inside the lighthouse was an iron, swirly staircase.  We couldn’t climb up because the lighthouse was under renovation.  Overall, it was a perfect family trip, and I hope to be back soon!

Rating for Cape Cove Beach:

I gave this beach two paws up because it was scenic and packed with adventure. There are many spots to have a picnic lunch, hike around the lighthouse, and relax by the shore. I would recommend pups to be careful if they plan on playing fetch in the Pacific Ocean. Although I make it look easy, I am a very strong swimmer. The currents of the Pacific Ocean are very swift and strong, and the water is lined with sharp and jagged rocks. Be careful, bring plenty of water, and assess your pup’s health before letting them play in the Pacific.

Pin this, pups: 

Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I explore more of the Oregon Coast.

This blog is a member of the #feetdotravel, #weekendwanderlust, and #theweeklypostcard communities; join us to share travel stories, get travel advice, or read travel inspiration.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to take my first international trip to British Columbia, Canada. We took a girls trip that included me, Mom, Mom’s sister, and one of Mom’s best friends. We found an amazing hiking expedition in Golden Ears Provincial Park at Gold Creek Falls. The hike was an easy 3.5 mile trip with little elevation gain, but the mossy rain forest views were like nothing I had ever seen before.

A misty view of the forest. The water was incredibly clear. I was so ready to go for a dip. A view of the pristine Allouette Lake. C’mon, Mom, it’s time to swim! I found the perfect stick to play fetch with. Oof, actually it was slightly awkward. After over an hour of fetch, I was ready to hike! Me and Mom’s friends exploring the foggy trail. The views were captivating. This picture looks like the beginning of a horror movie. We finally reached Gold Creek Falls after about 1.5 hours of hiking. At this point I was over it because it started pouring out, and Mom forgot my raincoat! After the long, beautiful hiking day, I was ready to be bundled up in the car for my nap.

Rating for Gold Creek Falls

I gave this hike 2 paws up because the views were impressive and there were tons of refreshing lakes where I could grab a stick and play fetch. The mossy trees and clear lakes made a stunning backdrop for exploring or a picnic lunch. The trail is rated easy, though it is probably safer to have your dog on a leash on this hike since bears live in the park. According to the park’s site, dogs can be off leash once they are at least 1 km into the trail. I recommend assessing your pups health before the hike, making sure to bring plenty of water, and staying close to your pup throughout the trail in case any creepy critters decide to visit you.

Pin this, pups:

Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I explore Vancouver, British Columbia.

This blog is a member of the #feetdotravel and #weekendwanderlust communities; join us to share travel stories, get travel advice, or read travel inspiration.

This is a photo memoir of my first year of dedication to dog-friendly travel. In the past, Mom and Dad took me on plenty of mini road trips through Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. They took an America road trip without me and missed me every single day. As we became increasingly obsessed with traveling together, we realized we wanted to learn and explore dog travel more. We decided to move to Portland, Oregon and our lives changed forever. In the past year, we’ve journeyed across America, explored the Pacific Northwest, and hiked through Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. My purpose is to show dog owners the beauty of traveling with your best friend while raising awareness of breed discrimination. I hope you enjoy these memories and that they inspire you to take your dog along on your next family road trip.

Kayaking with Dad on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida.  Kayaking with Dad on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida.  Posing at the Tennessee Welcome Sign.  Hiking with Mom on the Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoying downtown St. Louis, Missouri.  Enjoying the arch in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.  Fearing the corn fields in Nebraska. Observing Sioux Falls with Dad in South Dakota.  Observing Sioux Falls with Mom in South Dakota.  Looking majestic in front of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.  Observing Sioux Falls with Mom in South Dakota.  Observing Sioux Falls with Mom in South Dakota.  Enjoying cozy hotel beds. Posing with goofy roadside attractions. Posing with goofy roadside attractions. Posing with goofy roadside attractions. Enjoying the Badlands National Park.  Hiking through the snowy Willamette National Forest.  Hiking through the snowy Willamette National Forest.  Hiking with Pluto through the snowy Willamette National Forest.  Enjoying more delightful hotel beds. Checking out Mount Hood and the hotel from the Shining in Oregon. Tiptoeing through the tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon. Tiptoeing through the tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon. Hiking to the top of Angel’s Rest in the Columbia River Gorge.  Hiking to the top of Angel’s Rest in the Columbia River Gorge.  Staying at a haunted hotel in Centralia, Washington. Discovering my new favorite hobby at the Sandy River Delta in Troutdale, Oregon.  Discovering my new favorite hobby at the Sandy River Delta in Troutdale, Oregon.  Hiking Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.  Hiking Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.  Discovering the beauty of the Oregon coast.  Discovering the beauty of the Oregon coast. Discovering the beauty of the Oregon coast.  Hiking Golden Ears Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada.  Hiking Golden Ears Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada.  Hiking Golden Ears Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada.  Hiking and exploring the Painted Hills at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Hiking and exploring the Painted Hills at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Hiking and exploring the Painted Hills at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Hiking and exploring the Painted Hills at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

How lucky can one dog be? 

Pin this, pups:

Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I hike the Painted Hills!

This blog is a member of the #feetdotravel community. Join us to share travel stories, get travel advice, or read travel inspiration. Scarlett is also a regular contributor for Travel Pass magazine where you can read more of her work: www.travelpassmag.com.

There’s my dad, the best boat driver in the world!

I’ve come a long way since the streets of Miami, and I’m pumped to share my stories with you. Mom and Dad took me on my first big adventure a few months ago when they decided to move across the country to the land of Portland. They said Florida was sweaty, smelly, and boring, but I thought we had a lot of great times there! I really miss my best friend Sushi, a Boston terrier I lived with for awhile before the big move. He smelled like salty salmon, and he loved to clean my teeth with his kisses. I wonder if he’s eating salmon treats without me right now.

When we were road-tripping out of Florida, we visited Uncle Steve who taught me all about life on the Rainbow river. I thought the sparkly river looked particularly terrifying, and I pretended to be brave when we first got in the boat. The boat shook like crazy when we first got on! I kept standing up to make sure Dad was okay, but he told me to just stay calm and he sang songs about me until I decided to “go lay down”. Mom was in her own little boat laughing and taking pictures of us the whole time, and I made sure to woof if she got too far away from us. Overall, I gave the Rainbow river, 2 paws up!

We visited my cousins in Georgia, then drove through a million states. It literally took us forever to get to Portland! We stopped at so many parks along the way that by the time we got to Portland, I didn’t even feel like going to the doggie park. The doggie park is my favorite place in the whole world because I love to roll in the mud. I smell amazing after the park then mom ruins it with the bath. She makes me smell like freakin oatmeal and lavender, and all my friends laugh at me until I roll in the mud again. Mud is the bestest.

So now we’re in Portland, where our story begins.

Stay tuned for my next blog where I review some of the coolest doggie parks in Portland!

Sincerely,

Scarlett