Barking Embarkers

It’s story time! For those who are new here, I have kept a record of Chloe’s and my adventures during our travels! I write and publish these about a year after they happen, for various reasons, but mostly per my grandma’s advice. And I don’t know about you, but you ALWAYS listen to your Grandma’s advice- they know. Here we Go! Brace yourselves, it’s time for an enticing, incredible, thrilling and heart wrenching: A Tail of Chloe Rue (I know its tale, I just can’t help it).

Before we get to the good stuff, I just want to thank everyone who is following and reading the blog! I have fallen behind with our adventure stories; and they’ve been super popular lately! I figured I’d play catch up with an adventure story every-other week this month. Let me know if you like that format! Now sit back and enjoy the read ♡

Hardwick, MN to Chicago, IL

It was a beautiful sunshine filled summer day in August, 2019. Chloe and I were behind schedule, per usual. The plan was to meet with Stephanie, my sister, before heading south toward Chicago; where we planned to meet another great friend of ours for a girls trip!

Typically Chloe and I do not do a lot of planning for our roadtrips; but since we had company this time around we actually made a plan. If your jaw is hitting the floor right now, that’s about how shocked yall should be. It was an amazing plan! We had a lot of driving to do, including swinging into Michigan and enjoying the best of West Virginia. Plans are one thing, but the actual adventure was full of spontaneous drives down gravel roads, beautiful star covered skies, little black bears in Shannedoah making the sentiment “life was meant for true friends and brilliant adventures” lovely and true.

Cuyahoga National Park

My sister and I were in it for the long haul, towing the camper down to Chicago where our good friend Justine joined us on this escapade. Fun trick- instead of driving through the city to pick up your friend in Chicago, order an uber for them to your nearest walmart! Towing a camper down those streets is NOT fun. We did swoop into Michigan for a short photo op, knocking another state off my sister’s list! And finally we landed in the great and beautiful Cuyahoga National Park.

I’d been once before, and this is a super pet friendly national park! Plus, the waterfalls are abundant! If you are able to find your way down deep into the trees you can enjoy the silence and peace that the forest provides, away from traffic noise. Thankfully Blue Hen Falls could provide just that!

The downside to RV life is making sure you have room to park. We wound up hiking 2 very hot miles more than expected to Blue Hen falls. When we arrived there was a gorgeous scene! An adorable family playing in the water under the falls. Suddenly, the man dropped down on one knee and proposed!

In hindsight, this was some awesome foreshadowing in my life, as my sister’s boyfriend proposed just about a month after this scene! Though they had icecream involved, instead of a waterfall… I definitely approve of both proposals.

The three of us girls cheered for the proposal and continued our explorations of the river area! Chloe had a blast playing in the water and was quite rambunctious on her way back to the trial head. We made it, hydrated and adventure-filled.

Blackwater Falls, West Virginia

I mean, who knew that West Virginia was beautiful? I feel that way about a lot of states- Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri just to name a few; but I had always imagined the small Appalachian mountains, with teeny tiny run down towns. I never imagined crystal clear skies that allow you to see every single star! Nor a beautiful state park full of deer in the early morning dew. And I certainly did not imagine Blackwater Falls!

On our way towing to the state park, Chloe was on high alert, warning us of the multiple deer in the road. I was sitting next to her in the backseat, watching the incredible stars float by. I will never forget those stars, in a place so dark where they seemed so bright!

Blackwater Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in West Virginia, with a lovely spray casting a super far distance! We enjoyed the state park and Chloe had the time of her life warning us of every deer we could see on the road, and at the campsite.

Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park

Do you know where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins? Comment if you’ve been there! It all begins at Skyline drive in Shenandoah National Park. Us three girls had a blast here! We saw a small black bear lurking in the trees (and I missed every photo op, because Chloe was not happy about this bear), and stopped on many turn outs to savor the insane views offered by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Check out the link from the national park service here!

It is possible to tow your 28 foot travel trailer throughout this scenic drive. In fact, I recommend putting into the highest gear and seeing how fast you can coast around those corners! I’M JOKING, it is not for the faint of heart, but definitely an adventure, and I didn’t even have our friend Justine try to walk the rest of the way because of my crazy driving (this time!).

Ocean Days

It was a long haul through North Carolina, but the ocean was within our sights! It was my last day with friends before I dropped them off at the airport in Raleigh, and finished the trek on my own into South Carolina.

I love the ocean, so much. Chloe does too! She enjoys digging massive holes, and fighting the tide as it tries to fill them. She also loves seeing the birds, people and other dogs too. Unfortunately, dogs are only permitted on the beach until a specific time, due to the hot sand in their paws! So we found our ocean spot bright and early, swam in the salty greatness, made big holes and enjoyed the morning sunshine!

We enjoyed our time at the ocean SO much, that we accidently stayed too long. The lifeguards came by and said Chloe had to leave, and we realized we would be late for Stephanie and Justine’s flight! Stephanie was driving, 7 miles over the speed limit in the hopes we could make it in time for their flight! And there he was, on the other side of the interstate with a different car pulled over. We thought we were safe, we thought we would make it! But the police officer ran back to his cruiser, crossed the interstate median and flipped his lights on right behind us. Our hearts were racing and adrenaline running high! There was no way we would make it in time for their flights. I was impressed with my sister for keeping calm, and with the officer for being quick when the girls said they were going to miss their flights! In the end, Stephanie and Justine made it through security in the nick of time, and onto their flights safely. I continued south with Chloe, toward the sunshine and warmth that is South Carolina.

Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

I arrived to my spot at a gorgeous state park outside of Sumter, with a belly full of green beans and a heart ready to explore! I looked online and found a kayaking group. So, Chloe and I spent our first weekend surrounded by alligators on the water with this group! I learned that alligators will leave you alone, especially when you’re in a large group. I found the biggest pinecone and lilypads I’ve ever seen in my life! And I embraced the new atmosphere with the warm sunshine that is only found in the southern states.

There truly is something special about the South. I loved South Carolina in all of its beauty between mountains and the sea. The sweet tea, charming accents, small town feel in every single town and variety of culture is so incredible. And together, my best friend that is my sister, my best co pilot that is my dog, and our soul sister from Chicago, Justine- we made the crazy trek from Minnesota to South Carolina and embraced every adventure that came our way.

What’s the shortest, but funnest adventure you’ve taken with your dog? Any crazy friend groups reading this who take 3 days to see the best of 10 states? I hope you all have happy tails, some sweet southern sunshine that finds you today and many happy trails ♡

Find BarkingEmbarkers on Social Media! You can find us on our

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You can also ALWAYS reach out with questions by emailing us at barkingembarkers@gmail.com.