We’re officially packing up for a two-month cross-country road trip, and it’s safe to say… chaos has arrived. Our living room looks like an REI exploded. There’s gear in every corner, the dogs have already claimed the best sleeping spots, and somehow, we still have to fit all of this into our Ford Explorer.

This trip is going to be a little bit of everything: hiking, climbing, sightseeing, visiting family, soaking in hot springs, and whatever else the road throws our way. So we need to be ready for everything — and still fit it all in the car. Easy, right?

Divide and Conquer: Planning vs. Prepping

While Shawn was busy transforming our kitchen into a backcountry meal-prep lab, I was deep into the digital rabbit hole — mapping out our route, planning destinations, and researching campsites. It turns out planning a two-month road trip is no small feat. National parks, climbing crags, hot springs, family stops — we wanted a bit of everything, which meant lots of juggling mileage, weather patterns, dog-friendly areas, and primitive camping apps that seem designed to test your patience.

Shawn, on the other hand, was vacuum-sealing like a pro — organizing servings of pasta, rice, and other trail-ready meals that don’t require a fridge or much cleanup. Every bag was carefully portioned, labeled, and sealed for quick grab-and-go meals. Also, we stocked up on a ton of candy — because snacks are a food group on road trips, obviously.

Home Sweet Tent (Dog-Approved)

We kicked things off with a major upgrade: a new 8-person tent. It’s huge — plenty of room for us, our stuff, and our two dogs, who already think this entire trip is just a really elaborate dog vacation. We also added two cots and 0-degree sleeping bags to keep us warm and comfy, no matter the elevation.

Naturally, the dogs claimed both cots as their personal thrones the moment we set them up. If you’re imagining two furry divas lounging in luxury while we sleep wherever there’s room — yep, that’s exactly it.

Water, Water Everywhere

Traveling with dogs means carrying a LOT of water, especially when you're hiking in hot or remote areas. We picked up two large water jugs (12 gallons total) — mostly for them, honestly. Our dogs drink like they’re prepping for a desert marathon, so these jugs are non-negotiable.

Rock Pot Magic

We're also bringing our beloved rock pot, a wedding gift that lets us cook slow meals without electricity. It works by trapping heat and finishing meals over time — perfect for chili, stews, or a warm dinner after a day on the trail. We’ll get it started in the morning, go climb or hike, and come back to a hot, ready-to-eat meal. Genius.

Tough Choices: Gear & Comfort

Packing all the essentials into our Ford Explorer meant we had to make some hard choices. We had a mountain of climbing gear to sort through and ended up taking only the must-haves based on our destinations. No extra belay devices. No "maybe" ropes.

Clothes? Just a few outfits each — enough to layer up, cool down, and survive everything from climbing days to family dinners. And when it comes to footwear, we each brought four pairs of shoes to cover every possible scenario: hiking boots, trail runners, Chacos (of course), and something for camp/lounging. It sounds like a lot, but when you’re going from trails to towns, you need options.

And perhaps the biggest heartbreak: we’re going without a table and chairs. Space just didn’t allow for it. We’re trading comfort for mobility, which means we’ll be eating on rocks and logs for the foreseeable future.

The Adventure Starts Now

After all the planning, packing, prepping, and negotiating with dogs over sleeping bag rights — we’re finally hitting the road. Two months. Two people. Two dogs. One fully loaded SUV. And a whole lot of snacks.

We can’t wait to explore new places, revisit some favorite spots, and soak in everything from mountaintops to hot springs. Along the way, I’ll be sharing updates on our destinations, funny stories from the road, photos, and all the little moments in between — the beautiful, the chaotic, and the downright ridiculous.

If you’re curious about anything we're bringing, where we’re going, or how we’re managing life on the road with two gear-hogging dogs, feel free to reach out through the contact section! We’ll have plenty of time to answer questions while we’re driving — there’s only so much conversation to be had… unless the dogs start talking.

So buckle up — it’s going to be a wild, wonderful, and slightly unhinged adventure.
We’re excited to bring you along for the ride!

~Bee

Packing for the Big Adventure: Cross Country Chaos (and a Few Cozy Dogs)