Typist: Bethany
Having shared my entire life with dogs, much of that time exercising and adventuring outdoors, camping and backpacking, as well as road tripping all over North America, I consider myself quite knowledgeable about canine companions. I am comparatively very new to cats. My mom is allergic to felines so I wasn't lucky enough to share my life with a kitty until I adopted Emily. I didn't even plan on cats being a part of this blog since it is based on pet travel and adventures. Not all cats are cut out for travel. Emily, for example, would have hated it. She never ventured farther than a sunny spot on the front porch. However, it turns out Amelia is an adventure cat. She leaps into her stroller for epic neighborhood excursions, begs for comfortable rides in her front pack and walks nicely on her leash. I have even taken her on a few long car rides. Last weekend I took the giant leap of bringing her along on a four night road trip to Oregon. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing even though I had been sort of planning to take her on some sort of trip since last summer. My policy with Amelia is usually to let her decide whether or not she wants to come along. When getting ready for a Seattle adventure, I set up her stroller or get out her front pack and let her jump in. So when I was trying out the travel set up and Amelia first used the litter box then curled up for a nap, I knew she had made her choice.

Considering all that could have gone wrong with my first attempt at traveling with a cat in tow I think the trip went really, really well. Once I got good at controlling the cat litter mess, I realized I could probably have Amelia along more often and on longer trips. The pets seemed very at peace when all traveling together and I felt the same way. This trip was one of the most relaxed and restful vacations I have had in a long time because a piece of my heart wasn't left at home. Best of all, Amelia had a wonderful time. Just like when touring the Southwest with Leo last year, it seemed Amelia honestly appreciated her great fortune in getting to experience seeing parts of the world even many wishful humans will never see. Having a travel partner, be they human, canine, psittacine or feline, that genuinely recognizes the wonder of wandering, is all we ever need from each other.

Any cat travel suggestions would be greatly appreciated by us traveling cat newbies. Please leave a comment!

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Typist: Bethany
There were plenty of rest stops when the dogs and I drove west through Iowa and Nebraska on our road trip back to Seattle from Buffalo. However, not one of those rest stops had enough shade for me to safely leave the dogs alone in the car to go to the bathroom on a ninety degree day. There were absolutely no rest stops as I slogged through an over one hundred degree day of driving towards Phoenix with three dogs and a cockatoo. Even though it seemed I was in the middle of nowhere, I learned from many road trips with my dad and grandfather that even men shouldn't just randomly unzip when being a polite, law abiding visitor. Pet friendly Mather Campground at the Grand Canyon National Park had clean, convenient restrooms but pets are not allowed in National Park buildings nor could they be left unattended at the campsite. What does a solo traveler with pets do when nature calls? I don't mean the pets. I always have bags and supplies to clean up after them. I mean, what happens when a lone human has gotta go but there are pets in tow? The pets can't be left alone if it is too hot, cold, unsafe or illegal. A human can't hold it for an entire pet friendly road trip or camping excursion. There is one easy and convenient item to bring on pet friendly solo travel that keeps humans comfortable and pets safe. I always carry my own travel toilet.

My travel toilet, plenty of waste bags and all other necessary accessories are kept together in a large tote which I always pack near a door for quick and easy accessibility. Even if I don't have to use the toilet or make a toilet privacy screen, having clamps, a spare sheet, rags, trash bags, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer near a door can be helpful for a lot of pet friendly travel situations. Just like with cleaning up after my pets, I clean up after myself with the same care. I am always aware of human waste disposal laws and I never, ever leave waste of any kind behind. I keep thick trash bags with my toilet because, just like with pet waste, I double bag my toilet waste if I must pack it out. Leave-no-trace travel ethics are yet another reason why all solo travelers with pets, male or female, should consider the merits of packing a travel toilet.

Rushing through using a rest stop or campground bathroom due to fearing for the safety of the pets is no way to travel. I know. I've lived it. Every moment of solo travel with dogs, cats, cockatoos or any pets, should be safe and enjoyable for all creatures on the trip. The incredible bonding I have done with the pets when it is just them, me and the road can't be described in words. Bringing my own toilet on pet friendly road and camping trips has taken so much of the stress away from my solo travels. Plus, the travel toilet and it's refill packets are much less expensive than an RV. So I forgo a little bit of modesty, pack my travel toilet bag and head out on pet friendly adventures, keeping my pets safe even when nature calls.

Cascadian Nomads was not asked to or paid to promote any products or businesses mentioned and linked in this post. We paid for all mentioned and linked products ourselves and we are in no way compensated for clicking on the links we've provided. We're just sharing information and stuff we like!

Have you ever traveled alone with just a pet or two or more? What did you do to keep your pets safe when you needed to use the toilet?

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Typist: Bethany
There are certain things that I never leave home without. My smart phone and my house key are good examples. Those essential items fit nicely into my PoopPac which I always have attached to my Umbilical Belt or the pet stroller. I keep all of my dog walking necessities, like the PoopPac, Umbilical Belt, dog water bottles and travel dishes, organized inside of our entry closet door. I can easily and quickly be ready for a dog walk, an urban hike or a day trip at anytime. Sometimes when I am not in the mood for a walk (yes, that does happen) it helps to have everything so accessibly in one place to make it fast and simple to get out the door. Once I am out walking the dogs, I am always glad to have made it happen.

Make sure you have a good pair of shoes, socks (I recommend double layer socks not just for blister prevention but for dryness and warmth,) rain gear, warm clothes and clothes to protect from sun with your dog walking gear too. When I was a personal trainer, professional conversations amongst colleagues almost always centered around how to motivate people to get off the couch and exercise. The best piece of advice that still holds true is that if your gear is ready, and going is effortless, you are more likely to go. So if you are trying to get out for your dog walk early int he morning, set up your gear the night before. When you plan to walk immediately after work, try putting on your walking shoes before you leave work. Anything that makes getting out of the house for your dog walk uncomplicated means you are more likely to actually go and definitely more apt to enjoy yourself. Oh, and while you're doing all your planning and organizing for your walks, don't forget the dog(s)!

If you'd like yo know more about the dog walking gear I never leave home without, check out these posts:

• Excuse Me Miss, We've Had Some Complaints About The Smell | #ScoopThatPoop PoopPac Review
• Hands-Free Leash Extravaganza- Umbilical Belt Review and DIY Hands Free Leash Ideas
• Hydration Choices For Fit Dogs- Dog Water Bottles and Travel Bowls Reviewed
• A Long Walk In The Rain And Only The Dogs Got Wet- Wander Wrap™ Rain Skirt Review

What items do you never leave home without? What tricks or organization ideas to you have to make sure you get out the door for your dog walks?

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Typist: Bethany
Every time I take the dogs on an amazing adventure, I think of the saying about hoping to be the person my dog thinks I am. All three dogs believe perfect road trips and glamorous camping weekends just magically occur. While I enjoy the idea that Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley imagine me waving an enchanted wand to make it all happen, in reality it takes hours to gather up and pack everything necessary for a pleasant time away from home with three dogs. Here's the secrets to the magic it takes to create the ideal camping trip with dogs:

The Big Shrimpy Landing Pads the dogs travel on double as beds when we arrive at the campsite. I bring plastic for underneath the pads to keep them dry and slightly more clean. While throw rugs seem like the ultimate glamping item, rugs are very easy to pack and take up little space in the car. In fact, wrapping propane canisters or hiking boots in throw rugs is very efficient! Camping with dogs is made so very much cleaner and more comfortable with throw rugs on either side of the tent door.

Everyone sleeps better when the dogs have their travel crates along. And by everyone, I mean neighboring campers too. Nocturnal critters are way less likely to arouse Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley when the dogs are comfortable in their own safe spaces. To save floor space in the tent and to keep Wilhelm warmer, all I need to bring to make his stacked crate accessible is a small folding stool. The interior of the tent is just as glamorous as the natural scenery outside.

Tah-dah! *insert enchanted twinkling sound here* The magic of a glamp for three dogs revealed! Sometimes packing for road trips and camping with dogs is about more than having everything it takes to be prepared for anything. It's okay to bring an item (or twelve) that's simply for luxurious comfort. Or maybe pack a few extra items that really make you the person your dog thinks you are...

Do you glamp with your dog(s)?
What do you bring to create canine camping magic?

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