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June 21, 2022 by Terran 10 Comments

Setting off on The Great American Road Trip

Growing up, I was never one for road trips. A four-hour drive for our annual family vacation felt like absolute torture. Then again, what kid does love road trips?

Many years later, my husband, Greg, suggested we accompany his grandparents on a road trip to Yosemite with their Model A (we trailered it up from San Diego). I had just left my corporate job the week before and a mental break was most certainly in order before I dove head first into growing Westway. The trip was absolutely incredible — we saw beautiful new places, spent quality time with each other and our family, had meaningful conversations, and created memories we’ll never forget.

And so began our love of road trips.

Yep! That’s us in Yosemite all the way back in 2007!

For years, our family vacations happened within a two-day’s drive from San Diego so our pup, Roxy, could come, too. Yellowstone became our favorite place but at 20 hours, it was not an easy journey. It was one hundred million percent worth it, though. We have memories of seeing incredible wildlife and scenery along with the feel-good memories, like cooking soup and sandwich lunches on picnic tables beside rivers with our single-burner camp stove. One of my favorite memories is when Roxy — safe inside the car — growled at the alpha female wolf of the Lamar Canyon pack while I was outside taking photos from a safe distance with a very long lens (we told her that wasn’t a great idea but thanked her for always protecting her mama). Here’s a video of me photographing the wolf (Roxy’s growl not heard):

As our love of road trips and wild places grew, a spark was ignited. Greg began watching YouTube channels of people who traveled the country in their RVs. He quickly got me hooked on them, too. Gone with the Wynns, Expedition Overland, Keep Your Daydream, Chris and G, and Nomadic Fanatic became our weekly must-watch shows (many still are). We started dreaming the big “what if…” dream.

That dream always seemed a million years away, though. 


Fast forward to March 2020. The world stopped. My businesses lost the ability to produce income when non-essential businesses were told to close. We were grateful for Greg’s job and that he could easily work from home. It would be six months before my business was able to get back on its feet and experience some semblance of normalcy.

All through 2020 and 2021, we found that we continued to gravitate toward the YouTube channels with people who traveled in their RVs and our big dream became all-encompassing. We talked about the places we would go, the things we would see, the people we would visit, and the quality time we would have with my family (whom I hadn’t seen in over two years).

And then, in mid-2021, we made a life-altering decision: we purchased our dream Airstream travel trailer. We had this overwhelming sense that life was simply too short and too precious to waste dreaming. It was time to take action and live a life of adventure and exploration with days that aren’t spent doing the same thing over and over again.


Adventure awaits

In May 2022, Greg, Roxy, and I got the call: our Airstream was ready! We wrapped things up in San Diego, said goodbye to friends and family, and loaded up the truck with the bare necessities. We took off on a week-long drive across the country to Tampa, FL, where we would see our new home-on-wheels for the very first time and begin our six-month journey.

Our Airstream had taken nine months in production and we had never actually seen one exactly like her in person due to the shortages in travel trailers. Talk about a leap of faith making that purchase! Thankfully, she is everything we had imagined and more.


You all knew I’d be towing this beast didn’t you?

So, what’s our plan now? Good question.

Everyone asks “when will you be in _______?” The answer, I believe, is often rather frustrating to them. I simply don’t know. We know we’ll be heading up the east coast to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine but we’re keeping things super flexible so if we want to stay somewhere a little longer, we can. Or, if we want to take a detour and visit a special place, we can do that, too. We’ve actually already done both and we’re only a few weeks in! It’s an entirely new way to think about life and travel and we’re very, very excited for it.


So now, as I sit here cozily alongside this gorgeous Virginia creek, under the cottonwood trees, watching their seed fluffs float down like summertime snow in the warm breeze, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. This life may not be for everyone but right now, adventure and exploration mean more to me than the creature comforts of a solid-standing structure.

The definition of home has changed: it’s wherever Greg, Roxy, and I decide to park it.


Photographing on a beach in Florida

Don’t be confused, though: we’re not on a six-month vacation. We are absolutely here to see and experience new places but Westway is at the heart of it all. Photographing dogs is our passion and we wouldn’t dream of stopping!

We have three incredible trip sponsors who are helping make all of this possible: Wellness Pet Company, dooloop, and P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle and You. We will be creating new content for them every month by doing photo shoots all around the country. Pretty amazing, right? We’ve already done a few beachy Florida shoots and I can’t wait to see the images out in the world!

We’re available for commercial photo shoots anywhere along our route (or even places not on our route).

We’ll also be doing private mentoring for aspiring pet photographers and pet photographers who want to take their businesses to the next level.

And don’t write off private family pet photo shoots! We’d love to work with people who want to capture special memories of their pups all around the country, too!


Nestled in below old growth pecan trees in the deep south

If you want to follow along with our Great American Road Trip, I will be posting lots of photos and stories on the Westway Studio Instagram & Facebook along with monthly blog posts right here on my website. If you want to receive our monthly email newsletter so you never miss a blog post, sign up right here:

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We couldn’t resist stopping into this adorable shop!

P.S. If you are on our basic route (NY, VT, NH, MA, ME > San Diego) and are interested in a portrait session, commercial project, private mentoring, or are interested in modeling for one of our monthly commercial shoots, reach out!

If you’re in San Diego and would like to get on my late 2022/early 2023 waiting list, reach out, too!


Please leave a comment below! I’d love to know if you recommend any don’t-miss spots or even if you’re just excited to follow along on our big adventure! It’s nice to know when people are enjoying what I’m putting out there! :)


Want to know how we’re doing two months in?

Read the next post!
 

Filed Under: field notes, great american road trip, travel

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly says

    June 22, 2022 at 11:16 am

    Safe travels and tons of fun and of course beautiful photos!!! We added a new furbaby to our family last week, would love to share a pic with you! She was born the day after we lost our Malimali… she has big shoes to fill, but Capt. Jax is helping her along the way!!! Have a blast!!!

    Reply
  2. Leslee Potter says

    June 22, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    Looks amazing!!!

    Reply
  3. Betsy says

    June 22, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    Wonderful to hear about the process and your progress! Looking forward to seeing more of your travels. Love to all.

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    June 22, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    It’s wonderful to read about your dream coming true! Enjoy each and every moment!

    Reply
  5. Keeley Kenefick says

    June 22, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    So amazing, have the best time and experiences and I look forward to seeing and reading all about them.

    Reply
  6. Johna says

    June 22, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    Looks like so much fun! We hope to do that soon in our travel trailer. I am excited to read about all your adventures. Be safe.

    Reply
  7. Maria Diehl says

    June 23, 2022 at 11:58 am

    You are so fortunate to have each other (and of course Roxy) and travel and live the American dream. I live for every post and am traveling vicariously along with you on this adventure. May you be safe and healthy as you roll along America’s beautiful highway.

    Reply
  8. kelly lewis says

    June 23, 2022 at 5:12 pm

    What a wonderful adventure, Terran, Greg and Roxy! I look forward to hearing more stories. :)

    Reply
  9. Lisa Giesselman says

    June 29, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    So awesome Terran! That’s definitely a dream of ours one day too!! Wish you were coming to Colorado…have so much fun :-)

    Reply
  10. Catherine says

    August 27, 2022 at 7:56 am

    Yes, definitely! If your return takes you anywhere near Scottsdale/Phoenix AZ (or maybe even Tucson, Flagstaff, or ?!), we would love to meet up for pics of our one year old golden retriever, Maggie Mae (aka Magzilla; she’s a hoot). I love reading about your adventures, and am glad I found you via Captain Fin!

    Reply

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Home » Setting off on The Great American Road Trip

Follow our wild, wild Westway adventures as we travel the U.S. in our Airstream

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Based in San Diego, CA
Traveling the U.S. in 2022
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Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scrol Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scroll... a lot. Since we've had a bunch of new followers lately, I wanted to take a moment to say hi, introduce myself, and get to know you a little!​​​​​​​​
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I'm Terran, the Crazy Dog Mom behind Westway Studio. My hubby, senior pup, and I live in San Diego for six months of the year and travel the US in our Airstream for the other six. We love being on the road, meeting new people, seeing new places, eating new foods, and experiencing this beautiful country we call home.​​​​​​​​
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I'd love if you would share a little something about you and your pets with me — like where you're from, your animal companion's favorite vacation destination, a silly story, or anything else! :)
It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming We It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming West Paw photo shoot! The casting call closes this afternoon! Don't miss out - photo shoots are TONS of fun for people and pets! Link in bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
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We're holding an open casting model call for our next playtime-filled shoot with West Paw! Apply at the link in my bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call. Let's have some FUN!
Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an o Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an open casting model call for our next shoot with West Paw that'll be all about — you guessed it — TREATS! Apply through the link in my bio or at https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo sh YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo shoot with West Paw at the end of January! We're looking for dogs + their people to participate. Dogs should be well-trained and love treat toys! We are looking for pups of all breeds, mixes, and ages. Link in bio to apply or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call​​​​​​​​​
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Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might not make it in at all... it's National Cuddle Day, which means I can't move 'til my four-legged best friend does. 🤷‍♀️ Does your animal companion love to cuddle or is it more of an exercise in futility?
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Two things I'm really excited for are (1) getting back out on the open road in the Airstream and (2) teaching at the Shutterhound Conference in September alongside some of the world's greatest pet photographers. Seriously, the speaker lineup is i-n-c-r-e-d-I-b-l-e! Pinch me, I must be dreaming! (Sign up with crazy-special pricing through 11:59pm Eastern time tonight!!!)
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