Pet Hotels and other friendly places

I think earlier in the blog I mentioned that I went to Reno and had to put Cooper at the Wag hotel but upon arriving we saw that the hotel we stayed at was Dog Friendly. Ever since then, I've always kept a look out for dogs in hotels and during my stay in San Diego I realized the hotel we were visiting had a lot of dogs.

The BF is planning a trip and I was looking into local hotels to see their dog policy and happened upon this great website that lists places you can bring your dogs. BringFido.com lists the different places you can go and also has a link for sales. I found that one of the hotels we were looking at has dog friendly rooms listed at the same price as hotels.com!

I wonder if Bubs would bark in a hotel room... must remember to bring the bark collar if we do this =)

Doggy Packing List

We're getting ready to go on our trip, so I decided to pack up Bub's over night bag for when he goes to the bf's sister's house. I googled "Dog Packing List" and nothing relevant popped up!

Here's what we packed:

• 2 weeks worth of dry dog food
• 12 x WikiWags Dog Diapers (male wraps)
• 2 x Dog Dishes (water and food)
• Pup-Peroni Dog treats
• Doggy Bed
• Dog Toy

I am pretty excited for my trip, but I'm going to miss this guy!

to over or under pack... that is the question.

I am planning a trip to Europe and from the research I've conducted, packing light and buying necessities is the suggested way to go. After deciding our destinations and locating the various sights we want to see, I focused my research on packing, starting with the bag.

What is the perfect travel bag? Honestly, I don't think there is an answer out there. You'll find lots of reviews or "top 5 travel bag" lists, but there is not one exact bag that meets my criteria:

• Backpack Style
• Fully Opening Panel
• Shoulder and Hip Straps (hide-away preferable)
• Flat Pack (not too hard or too soft outer material so that items don't bulge out) 
• Sturdy material that won't rip easily by wear and tear.
• Lockable
• ~22" x 14" x 9" size OR ~35L

Last summer, the Sports Authority was having a closing sale. The bf and I decided to purchase some hiking backpacks at a great price for weekend traveling. It turns out the backpack fits almost all of my criteria so instead of spending on another bag, I've decided to try this one for our trip.

The North Face Alteo 35
This backpack doesn't have a fully opening panel, but it has a wide opening at the top plus side zippers that allow you to reach the bottom contents without having to remove the top layers. It has great shoulder and hip straps although they do not hide-away. The material is sturdy but has some give to expand when filling it. It doesn't have locks and measures to fill 35 Liters. Some added features that I wasn't looking for to begin with is a lumbar support, wind tunnel on the back so that your back stays cool when carrying the bag (I have this problem when I'm carrying my regular backpack to and from work; the back laying directly on my back makes it hot.) Now that I have my travel bag, I began thinking about what to pack.

Over packing for the sake of being prepared is what I normally do. I've shared my packing lists for weekend, camping, winter, and summer trips which include almost every basic that I use at home plus some. Note that I've left off some items which might be added to customize the location of my trip. But am I being a little too prepared? To be honest, I don't use everything I pack with me OR I could stand to go without some of it.

Typically I pack a week's worth of clothes and wash whenever I'm traveling to visit family because there is a washer / dryer available to me, but I never thought of hand washing or doing laundry in a laundrette while I traveled. I heard / saw articles on special travel under ware "17 countries. 6 weeks. And one pair of underwear. Okay, maybe two." ExOfficio sells travel underwear and clothing that dries in roughly 2 hours so that you can wash / hang dry your garments to be worn the same day. I decided to buy 2 pairs of underwear (I found them cheap on Amazon) to see if I will be able to survive in Europe for 2 weeks on 2 pairs of underwear. I'm doing a test run in Las Vegas this weekend. If they prove themselves, I'm going to invest in a ExOfficio sleeveless shirt.

As for bottoms, I'm bringing a pair of pants, maybe 2, and was recommended to not wear shorts because of modest countries, as well as sticking out as a tourist. I really don't mind looking like a tourist so I'm going to bring a pair, but I also invested in 2 maxi skirts which are recommended because they cover your legs in modest countries, are feminine, and can transition to night wear if necessary. 

I'm currently researching shoes. My friend that traveled to Europe a few years ago said that she was wearing flip flops 24/7 but her feet took a toll. Sneakers are also a "touristy" thing and don't look very nice for outfits. I did see recommendations to invest in good socks. A buddy of mine that runs suggested Wright Anti-Blister Socks. I am waiting for them in the mail, but will test them out soon. Another popular shoe recommendation was Toms which are fairly cheap, but still a little too casual to transition for night wear. Many of the shoes women recommend look like "old lady" shoes, are ugly, or too casual. They're all probably comfortable, but I stumbled upon Ahnu Maia sandals; they look pretty feminine, young, and are super comfortable according to reviews. The sandal might also be great for transitioning to night wear if needed.

Summary:
Europe Trip: France and Spain
Bag: The North Face Alteo 35
Underwear: ExOfficio 2 pairs
What to pack: 3 shirts, 2 tank tops, 2 Maxi Skirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts and 2 cardigan sweaters
Shoes: Toms and Ahnu Maia Sandals

Winter Packing List

Clothes
Boots

Jacket
Long Sleeve Shirt
Pants / Jeans 
Pjs
Socks
Sweater
Undershirts
Underwear / Bra

Optional

Belt / Jewelry
Dress
Dress Jacket
Gloves / Scarf


Electronics
Camera
Cell Phone
Ipod
Chargers

Toiletries
Comb / Brush
Deodorant
Face Wash / Moisturizer
Finger Nail Clippers / Tweezers / Nipper
Liners / Pads
Make-Up
Q-Tips
Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap
Tooth Brush / Tooth Paste

Wallet
Cash
Credit / ATM Card
ID
Medical Info

Misc.
Extra Bag
Keys
Pen / Paper
Safety Pins
Tickets

Weekend Packing List

Clothes
Jacket
Pants / Jeans / Shorts
Pjs
Shoes
Socks
Sweater
Shirt / Long Sleeve Shirts
Underwear / Bra

Optional
Belt / Jewelry
Dress
Gloves / Scarf
Hat
Swim Suit

Electronics
Camera
Cell Phone
Ipod
Chargers

Toiletries
Comb / Brush
Deodorant
Face Wash / Moisturizer
Liners / Pads
Q-Tips
Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap
Tooth Brush / Tooth Paste

Wallet
Cash
Credit / ATM Card
ID
Medical Info

Misc.
Keys
Pen / Paper
Safety Pins
Tickets

Summer Packing List

Clothes
Flip Flops
Jacket
T-Shirt / Tank Tops
Jeans / Shorts    
Pjs
Socks
Swimsuits
Underwear / Bra

Optional
Belt
Dress
Dress Jacket

Electronics
Camera
Cell Phone
Ipod
Chargers

Toiletries
Comb / Brush
Face Wash / Moisturizer
Finger Nail Clippers / Tweezers / Nipper
Liners / Pads
Make-Up
Q-Tips
Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap
Sunscreen
Tooth Brush / Tooth Paste

Wallet
Cash
Credit / ATM Card
ID
Medical Info

Misc.
Extra Bag
Keys
Pen / Paper
Safety Pins
Tickets

Camping Packing List

Gear
All in One Tool / Mallet
Chairs
Flash Light / Lantern
Pillow
Sleeping Bag
Tent

Cooking
Tongs / Metal Spatula / Can Opener
Cutting Board
Foil / Zip Lock Bags
Food Screens
Lighter / Matches
Napkins / Paper Towels
Oil / Spices
Oven Mitts / Trivet
Pan
Plates / Bowls / Utensils / Cups
Serving Plates / Serving Utensils
Stove
Table Cloth
Trash Bags
Wood / Fire Tongs

Cooler
Carbs (Buns, Rice, Potato Salad)
Charcoal / Butane
Ice
Condiments
Marshmallow / Graham Crackers / Hershey Bars
Meat (Bacon, Hotdogs, Links, Steak, etc)
Pancake Mix
Water / Drinks

Games / Entertainment
Cards Against Humanity
Cards
Dominos

Misc.
Duct Tape
Keys
Pen / Paper
Safety Pins
Water Floater

San Francisco free stuff

It is well known that museums and zoo's usually have one day a month for free admission but today I happened upon a reoccurring free Belgium Waffle on the first Wednesday of the month at the Capital One 360 Cafe in the Financial District as well as a website that provides listings of Fun / Cheap things to do in SF.

My list of local freebies (special exhibits may require fee):

Museums

• California Academy of Sciences Quarterly Free Sunday Admission
• Asian Art Museum Every First Sunday Monthly Free Admission
• SF MOMA Every First Tuesday Monthly Free Admission
• de Young Museum Every First Tuesday Monthly Free Admission
• Legion of Honor Every First Tuesday Monthly Free Admission 
• Bay Area Discovery Museum Every First Wednesday Monthly Free Admission
• Exploratorium See Website for Free Admission Days 
• SF Cable Car Museum Free Everyday
• SF Street Car Museum Free Everyday

Zoo / Animal (special exhibits may require fee):

• San Francisco Zoo Every First Wednesday Monthly Free Admission (FOR RESIDENTS ONLY)
• Coyote Point See Website for Free Admission Days
• California Academy of Sciences Quarterly Free Sunday Admission

Parks

• Golden Gate Park Some areas require admission
• Fort Funston Free Parking, Beach Access, Dogs walk off-leash
• Muir Woods See Website for Free Admission Days
• Stinson Beach Free Everyday
• Fort Point Free Everyday
• Vista Point Free Everyday
• SF Botanical Gardens Free Everyday
• Yerba Buena Gardens Free Everyday

Music

• Sterngrove See Website for Free Concerts
• SF Chamber Orchestra See Website for Concerts

Hiking

• Lands End Free Everyday
• Tiled Steps Free Everyday
• Palomarin Trailhead Free Everyday
• Sweeney Ridge Free Everyday

Landmarks

• Golden Gate Bridge Free Everyday for pedestrians
• Ferry Building Free Everyday
• Coit Tower Free Everyday, but additional fees to go up elevator
• Twin Peaks Free Everyday

 Food

• Ghirardelli Chocolate Store gives Free Square sample
• See's Candy Store gives Free Chocolate sample
• Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory Free Sample
• Liverpool's Lil's Free h'ordeuvres during Happy Hour
• Capital One 360 Cafe Belgium Waffle Every First Wednesday Monthly
• IHOP Pancake March 4
• Ben and Jerry's Free Scoop April 8

Misc.

•  Free Comic Book Day First Weekend in May see

There is a City Pass for various cities in the country depending on what you're going to do, here are the details for SF:

City Pass San Francisco

• 7-Day Bus, Street Car, Light Rail, and Cable Car Pass
• California Academy of Science Admission
• Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise
• Aquarium of the Bay OR Monterey Bay Aquarium Admission
• Exploratorium OR de Young Museum Admission

Hope this is helpful for people!