Aug 26

Aug 26 Mrs. Sizzle and her pack head out West - can you say road trip?

After a two-year courtship, I am proud to announce that earlier this month I was offered and accepted a job at Nike. More will be reveled about that when I start in September, but what that choice has done is kicked off the fastest west coast family migration since the Gold Rush!

Thus begins the travel journal of the Sizzle sisters and their parents. While my family questioned the whole concept of us camping our way west, husband, Steve, was not to be deterred. Camping had been a boyhood passion that he wanted to rekindle.

So after buying out the local REI outdoor store and packing for a short week, here we are on the road.

First stop: Cooks Forest State Park

We arrived without drama, cooked a good meal, drank a bottle of delicious wine and then the fun began. A few doggie tips to put forth before describing the evening.

Camping with dogs is fabulous. Things to think about in addition to having already gotten your clean bill of health document from your vet prior to leaving:

Tethering them with a long cord so that they can move freely about while you cook and hang out. I recommend about a 20-foot rope to be tied around a post (Bowline style knot - pictured below) and a comfy place for them to settle in. I brought my favorite Cloud7 dog bed which is also a great place for them to sleep in the car!

Mistake #1:

Racoons can open coolers and scare the crap out of you while they do it! Cookies and bread were lovingly attacked and strewn about the camp site.

Mistake #2 and #3 (in no particular order):

The inflatable sleeping bag matts only work if you close the valve…and if you relish the importance of fresh air breezing through the top of your tent be prepared for rain on your head.

Lessons to be learned and more to be shared.

Off to Chicago for a proper bed at The James Hotel!!

The James Hotel

Thank goodness for you my lovely boutique hotel. After a night of rain and raccoons we arrived at the Chicago mecca and were given a suite to try! I'm not sure who was more exited, my dogs or myself and Steve.

When we arrived we were greeted by the valets and doormen who were hugely helpful and catered to the dogs!!! Bones were doled out, water available and a beautiful bar for Steve and I to enjoy.

The suite, much to my surprise, was huge and chic - perfect for anyone that also has their dogs with them. Right smack in the center of Chicago, The James Hotel, caters to the working set with a living room like lobby, the best steakhouse in town, and a super chic vibe to make any camper a glamper! I would highly recommend this little oasis in the middle of the big city!

Next stop for the Sizzle Sisters...Badlands, South Dakota.