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Honeymooners: Liz & Steven
Type: Domestic travel — North Carolina to Breckenridge, Colorado and back.
Budget: Mid-range ($1000-$5000)
Where did you go: You could argue that we had many destinations for our honeymoon, but our final destination was Breckenridge, Colorado. We wanted to travel within the US and bring our dogs (three Border Collies) and mountain bikes with us.
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What did you do: We did all sorts of things! On the trip up, we did a lot of driving of course but we also listened to a book on CD, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Listening to the book really made the time pass quickly.
We also explored the towns we stayed in. We met great people in Nashville when we had dinner on the patio at Blackstone, we found the best fried chicken in Memphis, and relaxed at a park off the Mississippi River. We visited Steven's sister who lived in Denver and explored the town where he grew up.
In Breckenridge we did lots of hiking, including a Fourteener, went mountain biking, did a little shopping, ate some awesome food, drank some local beers, took tons of photos, soaked in the hot tub, got a couple's massage, and in general just really enjoyed each other.
On the way back to North Carolina, we saw crazy things like HUGE blades to a wind turbine. I also got my first speeding ticket ever in Texas! We made one last stop in Mississippi to visit Steven's parents in Meridian and relax for one more day before driving home.
What would you have done differently: My first plan was to do the drive in an RV so we could avoid paying for rooms and we'd have tons of room in the vehicle. If I could go back, I'd try harder to find an RV in our price range.
Other than that? Maybe I wouldn't have sped through Texas.
What's your advice for other offbeat honeymooners: Don't be afraid to use the Honeymoon line on people! You'd be amazed how much that helps certain situations. 
Also, get a couple's massage. Seriously. Oh and don't be afraid to slow down and just take in the moment. It will be gone before you know it. Finally, end your excursion falling sleep in each other's arms.
What was the most meaningful moment of the trip? As soon as we found the Mohawk Lakes. I knew that was why we made the trip there and I knew that was why I could live in Colorado. It was like a picture out of a magazine, and I was finally there where I had always wanted to be.
The fact that we made it up there together with our whole family (the dogs) was just perfect. I was surrounded by everything I hold dear.
Enough chat — show me the vacation photos!
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About the Author: Megan Finley Horowitz
When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine!
Liz, your dogs are so cute! We’re planning on a Colorado road-trip honeymoon (driving from Kansas, so not as exciting a drive as you had). We have a miniature australian shepherd and I’d love to bring him, but my fiance’s worried about it being difficult to find places to stay with a dog in tow (plus it’ll be November, so camping out isn’t all that convenient). Any advice on traveling with furry friends?
When we took our cats across eight states, my veterinarian recommended Benadryl to help them nap. Only don’t make our mistake–get the liquid plunger version. 🙂
Hi Nadine! I think traveling with one small pup is definitely doable. The hotels we used that allowed dogs were Best Western, Sleep Inn and Candlewood Suites. I found these hotels with websites like these, http://www.petswelcome.com, http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/, and http://www.bringfido.com/. Word to the wise though, always call the hotels to make sure, sometimes they have changed their policy and that change is not reflected on those websites. All hotels will charge you a pet fee, that’s when the honeymoon card comes in!
If your pup doesn’t ride well in the car, ask your vet about some mild sedatives. Masi doesn’t ride well, but was a champ on those pills (Benedryl doesn’t work for her and can have the opposite effect in some dogs).
Good luck!
Thanks Liz, lots of great resources!
Hi Nadine! I think traveling with one small pup is definitely doable. The hotels we used that allowed dogs were Best Western, Sleep Inn and Candlewood Suites. I found these hotels with websites like these, (www.)petswelcome(.com), (www.)pet-friendly-hotels(.net), and (www.)bringfido(.com). Word to the wise though, always call the hotels to make sure, sometimes they have changed their policy and that change is not reflected on those websites. All hotels will charge you a pet fee, that’s when the honeymoon card comes in!
If your pup doesn’t ride well in the car, ask your vet about some mild sedatives. Masi doesn’t ride well, but was a champ on those pills (Benedryl doesn’t work for her and can have the opposite affect in some dogs).
Good luck!
ps. remove the parenthesis from those links. I had to insert those for my comment to post.
Colorado is generally a really dog friendly place, that’s one reason why we like it here:) We live up in Northern Colorado, but have traveled all over the state with our our pup, and sometimes even with our horses and goats, so if you need a recommendation, feel free to message me. We are planning a short road trip honeymoon too! We just don’t have to go too far. Thanks for sharing!
I guess you really had a great time since you spent it not only with your spouse, but with your pets as well! Congratulations on your honeymoon.
We honeymooned with our dog also. I found a cottage that would allow our jumbo 125lb Alaskan Malamute. We did a couple of ‘non-dog friendly’ activities, but he was right at home having the whole cottage to himself. It was on 7 acres so there was plenty of room for him to run around. We went to Door County WI (not far from our home) and it was also really dog friendly. We went to the farmers market every morning and cooked most of our meals at the cottage. When we went out to dinner every restaurant we asked let us bring him on the patio. He sure did enjoy all the attention.