2017: What a Long Strange Trip It's Been

This year was a year of epic road trips and adventures for the dogs and I. Here are a few of my favourite photos from the year:

It all started at the end of February with a drive down to Charleston, South Carolina. We went looking for ghosts, faced down alligators, and spent some time on the beach. We started off with a stop at Eternal Flame Falls before gorging on Mexican food (start the journey here). From there, we took our first ghost tour, spent a day wandering a plantation, and I developed an addiction to the finest coffee beverage ever.

beach — Beeline for the water (Isle of Palms, South Carolina)

This looks like an album cover. Beeline for the water **(Isle of Palms, South Carolina)**

packtree — Gang’s all here. (Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina)

redbridge — **Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina**

virginia — **Virginia is apparently for lovers.**

trail3 — New River Gorge **(West Virginia)**

As if that wasn’t enough time down south, in May we drove down to New Orleans, Louisiana where we hung out for a few days before we drove the length of the Mississippi River to the headwaters in Minnesota. Click here to read about our River Run.

coverriver — Another album cover. **(New York)**

gw6 — Lonely streets (Savannah, Georgia)

la3 — They seem less than impressed. **(Louisiana)**

la8 — If looks could kill… **(New Orleans, Louisiana)**

arkansas levee — **Somewhere in Arkansas.**

memphis — We came ready to rock (Memphis, Tennessee)

mound 1 — Taking a break at the top (Illinois)

hw4 — Pack photo at the headwaters of the Mississippi River (**Itasca State Park, Minnesota)**

As this was the 150th year of Confederation and Parks Canada had waived the entrance fee for national parks, we made it a mission to drive to as many parks as we could. Over the course of the year, we were able to visit 25 of 44 national parks. It was truly humbling to explore so much of a country that I have taken for granted.

bruce7 — Get the stick! **(Georgian Bay National Park, Ontario)**

bruce11 — Is it just me or is she smiling? **(Georgian Bay National Park, Ontario)**

bruce12 — Look at all that blue. (Georgian Bay National Park, Ontario)

landsend — **Forillon National Park, Quebec**

forillon4 — **Forillon National Park, Quebec**

red point 2 — This picture makes me happy. **(Red Point Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island)**

red point — Yes Piper I’m coming. **(Red Point Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island)**

cb8 — Little Miss Snuggles. She leaned into me as soon as I crouched down **(Cape Breton Highlands National Park)**

rouge 8 — We were here. (Rouge National Park, Ontario)

One of my favourite pictures. **(Thunder Bay, Ontario)**

**Well this is a first. We’ve never been so far north and we went even farther.**

A really quick photo before they started wandering around. **(Alexandra Falls, Northwest Territories)**

The obligatory photo **(Jasper National Park, Alberta)**

**Either Jasper National Park or Banff National Park, Alberta.**

**Peyto Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta**

**Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta**

**Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia.**

I could have sat here all day. (Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia)

The fields are dotted with all kinds of abandoned houses **(Saskatchewan)**

The boys wanted to follow the trail **(Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan)**

Taking photos of someone else taking photos **(Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan)**

**Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario**

Perhaps an album cover… **(Point Pelee National Park, Ontario)**

So what does 2018 have in store? I have a few ideas for trips and some exciting ideas for future posts.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read about this little ragtag group of road trip warriors. I am truly lucky to have so many wonderful people to share our stories with.

While I am not a religious person, this Irish blessing speaks to me and always seems be an appropriate way to end the year, especially for travellers:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Safe travels from my family to yours,

AdventureDawgs

15 response to "2017: What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been"

By: campingandotherwaystostaysane Posted: December 31, 2017

What an amazing year! Here’s hoping 2018 brings even more adventures your way!

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 1, 2018
  
  Thank you and Happy New Year to you. I just want to say that I can’t look at your pizza pic without suddenly wanting pizza. It’s awesome.
  
By: leggypeggy Posted: December 31, 2017

Thanks for sharing your year with us. Bring 2018 be good to you all!

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 1, 2018
  
  Thank you for all the travels you’ve shared as well. Here’s to keeping the good times rolling in 2018.
  
By: Maxxtrails Posted: January 1, 2018

What fabulous pictures and what a great idea for a blog … you have challenge me to come up with my best pics of 2017 for a blog … thank you!!! I really admire all the travel you have done on your own, okay for the most part you are not on your own, so I really admire the travel you and your three wonderful companions have done 🙂 Honestly I was just telling hubby how much I admire you and how much I wish our paths would meet. I really hope that happens someday. And I am religious and Irish so I loved the blessing 🙂

We wish you a very happy New Year and nothing but the best and safe travels for 2018! I can’t wait to hear what you get up to next year.

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 1, 2018
  
  You’re very welcome although I’m not sure if you’ll be thanking me once you try to pick photos. You’ve taken some stunning pics so you’ll have your work cut out for you.
  I cannot express how humbled your kind words have made me feel and honoured that I have been able to share our travels.
  The dogs and I have some unfinished business out west and I would love to sit and share stories.
  All the best to you and your family and safe travels in the year ahead.
  
  - By: Maxxtrails Posted: January 2, 2018
    
    Aww, thank you! Hopefully you guys make it out west! We wish you safe travels in 2018 🙂
    
By: Yeah, Another Blogger Posted: January 1, 2018

Happy New Year!

Keep on truckin’!

Neil S.

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 1, 2018
  
  Happy New Year to you!
  
By: Tails Around the Ranch Posted: January 2, 2018

Thanks again for letting me tag along on your trips (even if vicariously). Always an adventure that I appreciate. Here’s to pawsome adventures in 2018!

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 2, 2018
  
  Any time. I’m glad that you’ve enjoyed the trips. Give the pack a scratch from the northerners.
  
  - By: Tails Around the Ranch Posted: January 2, 2018
    
    You got it! They send tail wags in appreciation.
    
By: Mike Hohmann Posted: January 10, 2018

Excellent year of travels. You really covered some ground, visiting great places -even up in Canada… BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and NWT! Bravo!!!

- By: adventuredawgs Posted: January 13, 2018
  
  Thank you! It was a blast and a great way to see the country.

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