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colorful buildings in Porto Portugal, Porto train station, solo female travel in Portugalwire fence with a horse in a field in Salmon, Idaho, solo female travelview of buildings along a canal in venice, Italy, solo female travelyellow kayaking in fjords in Norway, Gudvangen, solo female travel in NorwayOrvieto Italy and the Duomo in Umbria, solo female travel in Italysawtooth mountains and a wood fence in fall near Stanley, Idaho, solo female travel, road tripThe Alhambra at sunset in spring with yellow flower, solo female travel in Spainblack dog looking at the view of an alpine lake, Williams Lake near Salmon, Idaho, dog travel

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San Francisco sunrise, Coit Tower, North Beach, solo female travel and architecture

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San Francisco homes from Noe Valley at Sunrise, solo female travel and architecture

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recent posts

black dog looking at the view of an alpine lake, Williams Lake near Salmon, Idaho, dog travel

How to Pack for a Road Trip with a Dog

Big Sur views from highway 1, Big Sur Road Trip, Big Sur with a dog

Big Sur With a Dog: Photo Spots, Scenic Stops, and What to Know

Carmel Meadows Trail, things to do in Carmel with a dog, dog friendly Carmel

Dog‑Friendly Guide to Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea: 3 Nights in a Fairy‑Tale Coastal Town

Granite at Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona, things to do between Phoenix and Flagstaff

Best Road Trip Stops Between Phoenix and Flagstaff: Sedona, Jerome, Prescott, Arcosanti & More

mood rise in Gashouse Cove in the Marina in San Francisco, evening run view

Ten Years Later: What Studying for the AREs Taught Me About Myself

view from the Duncan Street Stairs, best views in Noe Valley

The Best Views in Noe Valley: A Local’s Guide to Scenic Hills, Stairs & Hidden Lookouts

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Day Trip down to Big Sur On a recent trip to Carme Day Trip down to Big Sur
On a recent trip to Carmel I decided to make a day trip driving down Highway 1 to see Big Sur.  I spent some time researching before I went since I planned on taking Pepper with me and dogs are generally restricted in most National and State Parks.  Despite the restrictions, there were actually still plenty of places dogs are allowed to walk around.  She also loves a good car ride and this was one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever done.  We also got a nice surprise, the calla lilies near Garrapata Beach were fully in bloom!
Took Pepper on a little getaway to Carmel-by-the-S Took Pepper on a little getaway to Carmel-by-the-Sea.  I knew Carmel was dog friendly but it was even easier to find dog friendly things to do than I expected.  Even Carmel Beach and nearby Mission Trail Park allow off-leash dogs.  Pepper was in heaven and was so exhausted she even posed herself in front of some cottages and a mural! 

1. Pepper on Carmel Beach (every morning)
2. Storybook Cottage
3. Mission Trail Park 
4. Carmel Shell Mural
5. Cottage of Sweets on Ocean Avenue (ironically one of the only stores with a sign for no dogs allowed)
I made a trip over to Union Square recently and wa I made a trip over to Union Square recently and walked through the mall on Market Street before it closed.  It was weird to walk through an empty mall, and strange  to see how much that part of San Francisco has changed since I first moved to SF in 2006.  I’m looking forward to see what will happen in this space next. 

I also walked past the flagship store for Williams-Sonoma that recently closed.  The whole area around Union Square feels better now than it did during Covid, but wild to see how many stores are still closed.
Noe Valley views on some recent dog walks in San F Noe Valley views on some recent dog walks in San Francisco. There are so many hills and stairs in this neighborhood that the routes and views never get old.

1. Sanchez Street near Hill Street
2. Sanchez and 21st Street
3. Harry Street Stairs
4. Billy Goat Hill
Driving home from Idaho… Took two days to drive ba Driving home from Idaho…
Took two days to drive back to San Francisco. The scenery in Idaho is ideal for a road trip, but crossing Nevada is a loooong stretch. I’ve passed through Twin Falls a couple times before and decided to make a longer stop to see Shoshone Falls on this trip. Turns out the waterfall flows a lot less in winter. It was easy to see, other than being about 20 minutes out of the way. Unfortunately, Pepper was terrified so we didn’t stay long. Dogs are allowed but apparently some are overwhelmed by the height and the loud sound from the falls. Anyway… it’s good to be home and planning more road trips in 2026. 

#roadtrip #southernidaho #shoshonefalls
This is actually the DOG PARK in Salmon, Idaho ❄️🐾 This is actually the DOG PARK in Salmon, Idaho ❄️🐾
An island in the middle of the Salmon River where dogs can run through the snow… and apparently swim in freezing water too. Despite the cold, Pepper insisted on being in the water. 
One side of the island the water is calmer and the other is much rockier with a faster current, so I avoided that side this time. There was no way I was getting in that water!
It was a white Christmas, and I learned what hoarf It was a white Christmas, and I learned what hoarfrost is for the first time. 
My camera roll from the holidays is mostly videos of my dog Pepper playing in the snow.  Until I get around to going through all the videos, here are some views of our winter walks in Salmon, Idaho.
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