Last night Ryan and I took our suitcases out of the closet and began packing.
And that means the suitcase guard dog’s anxiety went through the roof. Sadie sat in front of my suitcase (and in my suitcase) as I packed last night. She’s such a goof.
Early tomorrow morning we’re heading to Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with my mom, dad, sister and my sister’s boyfriend. Family vacation! (Apparently Ryan and I are front-loading our vacation time this year.) I mentioned this trip very briefly on the blog before, but ever since my dad pitched the idea of a family trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, I’ve been anxiously awaiting this vacation!
All week long, we’ve been corresponding with my family through phone calls, emails and texts trying to get everything organized and figure out exactly what we need to bring. Since it’s supposed to be chilly at Machu Picchu and very warm in the Galapagos Islands, packing is quite tricky. And trying to cram nine days worth of clothes into a carry on suitcase is an added challenge, that’s for sure!
After my morning workout, I spent a little more time packing and detailed a few notes for my father-in-law who will be staying at our house with Sadie while we’re away. We were thrilled when he offered to come to Ocala (one of his best friends lives here) and knowing that Sadie will be spending time with someone she adores helps eliminate some of the worry that comes with leaving her behind. Plus, we get to spend some time with him this evening, which will be great!
Workout
Since workouts will likely be irregular on our vacation, I kicked up my cardio session a bit this morning and incorporated some intervals into a treadmill workout that included running and incline walking.
I followed my 45-minute cardio workout with the ab circuit from Best Body Boot Camp which made my core feel like it was on fire. Whoa!
Breakfast
Breakfast this morning came together in no time at all.
Eggs + Zucchini + Mozzarella Cheese +Chicken Sausage
For those who have asked what kind of chicken sausage I prefer, I am a big fan of al fresco and Aidells chicken sausage. Both are delicious!
Of Possible Interest: Boston Marathon
- College Students Organize Walk to Finish Boston Marathon (Mashable.com)
- Boston: Ways to Help and Get Help (MommyRunFast.com)
Of Possible Interest
- High Protein Vegan Meal Plan (FitSugar.com)
- Complete Guide to Trail Running (Fitbie.MSN.com)
Questions of the Morning
- Pet owners: Do your pets know when you’re packing for an upcoming trip? Do they have suitcase anxiety?
- Do you have any fun vacations planned this year?
- If you could go on vacation anywhere right now, where would you want to go?
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I plan on going to Maine this year. I love it up there! I would love to go on a cruise to the Bahamas with my sorority sisters. That would be sooo much fun.
Your eggs look so yummy! I always love putting vegetables in my eggs. It makes them so much more filling, and I feel great after starting off my day with veggies!
If I could go vacation anywhere right now I would want to go to a tropical beach with my fiance! I am just ready for some pretty weather where I can wear shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, so a beautiful beach sounds perfect right now!
Family vacations are always so much fun! I know you will have a blast! Enjoy! 🙂
I’m not sure if I get more anxiety or Elmo has more anxiety when we’re separated. Lol. I know he starts pacing if I get the binder out I use to tutor… As I’m packing up my things, his whole facial expression changes to fear. It kills me 🙁
I don’t have any vacations planned yet but I want to go to Jamaica next winter. I need to plan something for this year! Your family vacation sounds absolutely amazing. I know you will have a wonderful time – and what great memories for the entire family to have in doing it together. What an adventure! I can’t wait to read all about it when you get back.
We’re going to Nashville next week and Jamaica in July!
Thanks for sharing my post, Julie. Hope you have a fantastic time on your trip- I’m jealous!!
Ecuador and Peru are literally 2 of my favorite places! I’ve been to both for mission trips. Macchu picchu is breathtaking, but watch out for altitude sickness! It really got me!
Yayyy! Did you talk about your mission trips on your blog? I’d love to read about them! Also, any tips on avoiding altitude sickness? I’m a little worried about it because the last time I went to Colorado, the altitude really got to me and I felt awful.
I did not write about them. 🙁 those trip were before I started my blog.
Ginger really helps me with altitude sickness. You can get some chewable tablets from any health food store. I don’t really like taking Dramamine because it knocks me out! The ride up to macchu picchu is pretty rough, but totally worth it! Also, if you are planning on hiking there, make sure to pace yourself, especially if you haven’t had time to become acclimated to the altitude! You will LOVE it! 🙂
Thanks so much, Brianna!!
That brought back such great memories of our dog trying to stow away in our suitcases when we packed! Of course ours could actually fit at 6 lbs, I suspect Sadie might stick out a bit! 😉
We’re going to Kauai in a few weeks, I think this’ll be the 9th time. I’m ready. Kauai is our 2nd home so I’m ready to relax…and stand up paddle for the first time. Your vacay is our dream vacation (other than the Tahiti trip we have planned) so I’m excited for a TON of details when you return!
Yes, my dog goes craaazyy when the suit cases come out. He wanders around the house whining and completely in distress. It’s hilarious but totally pathetic at the same time. Unfortunately I have no fun vacation plans because I just took a girls trip to New York City. Boo. But if I could go anywhere, I would go to St. Martin in the Caribbean. I went last year for spring break and it was BEAUTIFUL. I would kill to be there right now!
Can I please have your vacation life please? Great thanks! 🙂
That trip will be SO fun!
That breakfast looks so delicious! I could eat eggs any meal of the day. What awesome destinations for a family vacation! I would love to go to the Galapagos. Lets see, the ideal trip of dreams would be Africa (perhaps Kenya, specifically) with my boyfriend. I have always wanted to go on safari!
A safari Ryan’s #1 “dream vacation.” I’d love to go to Africa. Maybe one day!
Sounds like a dream trip! I’d love to get there one day.
We went to Thailand and China for five weeks in February/March. It was really hard to pack- we went from +40 to -15 and then back to +20.
Our dog was mad at us for a while when we got home!
Have an amazing time, and tell Sadie she’ll be just fine!
How fun! I didn’t know you had another trip lined up. Our pets growing up didn’t act strange when we would get ready for a trip but they would go insane when we got back. Our dogs would wag their tails so hard their whole bodies would be moving. It was really sweet and hilarious.
If I could go anywhere right now, it would be to Tuscany. I’ve been to Florence once before and I fell in love.
Macchu Picchu is on my bucket list! My boyfriend and I are planning to go next year. Make sure you do the Inca trail.
Wow what an amazing trip! I’m very jealous. You’ve sure been lucky with your travel this year. I hope you enjoy and can’t wait to read all about it!
My dog hates when the suitcase comes out too. It’s so funny how they know. I always feel bad she gets left behind 🙁
I’d love to visit the Galapagos Islands! I’ll be vacationing his year in August & October, but haven’t fully decided where yet. Possible choices include DC & Nashville. If I could go anywhere right now, it would probably be Seattle, San Diego or Hawaii!
Hi Julie! I’m sure you know this already, but I just saw you were featured over at allwomenstalk.com (funny name, I know) as one of their top 7 Healthy Food Blogs! I’m so glad people are spreading the world about your blog, I’ve been an avid reader for about 2 years now and I love everything about your blog. Keep it up 🙂
Our cat tries to lie in the suitcase anytime we pack. He loves crawling in boxes too. I wonder if it is more about the container than the outcome for him.
I can’t wait to see your pictures of Machu Picchu. I hope the trip will be as amazing as it sounds.
Aw poor Sadie! Haha. That is a relief that she’ll be hang out with someone fun while you’re gone though. Sounds like an awesome family trip! Have a blast!
How fun! My dream trip would either be an African safari, or a trip up to Manitoba to see the polar bears. By the way, I tried to Google map Machu Picchu to the Galapagos Islands (just to see them in relation to each other) and Google maps could not handle it! Weird, because they have no problem telling you to sail across the Pacific to reach China. Anyway… I’ll assume you already have those travel plans ironed out 🙂
The Aidells Chicken Apple sausage is great. What a great vacation! And it is a peace of mind thing, I know. Knowing that Sadie will be in her own house with someone she likes.
We are going to Disney for a wedding in May. That is the only thing we have planned right now. Building a house takes top priority this year.
The Kidless Kronicles
Whoa! Sounds like a neat trip. I’m so envious of all your vacations; I haven’t left my city since August. Itching to go somewhere, anywhere at this point!
And OMG, Sadie’s face. Dying!!! 🙂
I went to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands a couple of summers ago. It was amazing. The Galapagos Islands were unbelievable. You must go to the Charles Darwin Park. They give great tours. Also try to do a boat charter to one of the other islands. They are fantastic and we were able to see a pod of dolphins on our way back.
We flew into Quito, Ecuador first and spent a few days and then went to the Galapagos Islands. While in Quito, we took the short ride to the Equator. A total must do if time allows. So cool to have one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Galapapos will be fabulous! I went there with my family a few years back and it was absolutely incredible. I recommend motion sickness medication (I was incapacitated for a lot of the trip with seasickness…I need to get that figured out and go back!) and good sunscreen for equator-strength sun! Peru and Equador will be fantastic as well, I’m sure. So excited for you! And I’m sure you’ll get in some quality workouts somewhere, like hiking or snorkeling, perhaps? 🙂 Bon voyage!
wow talk about the trip of a lifetime! Machu Pichu must be amazing – I’ve heard so many good things about it.
I’m going to the west coast for 2 weeks this summer, plans include SF, SD, LA and grand canyon. As I’m French, this is a pretty exciiiiting trip for me 😀
Awww Sadie! My dogs only figure out what is going on when we arrive at the Petsmart hotel. Then they get pretty sad (or mad in one of my dog’s case). As for vacations, I can’t wait to hear how your trip goes in Peru! My family will be going to Peru (Machu Picchu) this upcoming December, I can’t wait!
So jealous, Julie!! That exact trip has been my dream for a long time! I CANNOT wait to see the pictures and hear about how it goes, what you like/suggest. I might just follow your itinerary when we can make it happen! So give good notes! 🙂
Perhaps this is an ignorant question, but why do you have to pack everything into a carryon? Is there some sort of luggage limit, or…??? Very curious. But it sounds like the trip of a lifetime!!!
So so jealous of your vacation!
My dogs sulk when we are getting ready-daily. They are so routine…get up, go out, eat, go out again, and then sulk on the bed while we get ready for work, before they are sent to the furnished basement for the day.
It makes me so sad to see their little sad faces, knowing we are leaving them!
Our vizsla does the same thing!! Too cute 🙂
When only one of us leaving we leave our dog upstairs with the bathroom fan running for noise and the other person sneaks out with their luggage. Lando isn’t a fan of luggage because that means one of us will be gone. He’s quite attached to both of us and I’m not sure what will happen we both have to travel.
Have a great trip! Can’t wait to see the pictures!
Zucchini in breakfast–nice! I always love when I can squeeze in an extra serving of veggies at breakfast.
My family and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone this summer, and I’m so excited! The last time I was that far west was when I was 4, so I don’t remember it much.
If I could go anywhere, I’d probably go to Greece. Or New Zealand. Or London. I’m not picky! 😛
Awe, poor Sadie! Roo has the same suitcase anxiety. She misbehaves when the suitcase comes out, so I’ve started piling everything on my dresser before I go somewhere and putting it into my suitcase at the last second. Seems to do the trick!
Oooh this trip is on my bucket list! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
My dog is 1 and we’ve only gone away with suitcases once since getting her so she hasn’t grasped the concept of suitcase = she’s not coming. We try to bring her on little road trips but big ones that require planes are Sadie-less (pet name twins haha).
The only vacation I have planned right now is a 10 day trip to the interior in BC! We might try to score a last minute vacation deal in the fall or during a non-peak time just because we need one hahaa! Who doesn’t?!
You’re going to have an amazing time!
My dog and cat both know what the suitcase means, and they actually take turns sitting in it to try and stop me from packing – so cute 🙂
I’m in the process of planning our summer vacation – so many places to see, so little time!
If I could go on vacation anywhere right now, it’d be back to Paris. I used to live there and I miss it so much!
My dog doesn’t get anxious when a suitcase comes out most likely because I don’t get to travel as much as I would like!
No fun trips coming up…..bummer. If I were going somewhere, I would like to go to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, somewhere in the Caribbean (again), Hawaii (again), or even just the the Northeastern states or Florida since I have never been to the East Coast! I live in Minnesota and winter is still ever so present which is unusual and just plain horrible! I need the sun, warmth, and green grass!!!
Your vacation sounds like it’s going to be so much fun! Can’t wait to read about it! 🙂 I would absolutely love to go back to Sandals in Antigua with my husband. We went there for our honeymoon last August and I wish so desperately we could go back again this August. I’d also be happy with a trip to Disney World since it’s my favorite place on Earth. 🙂
Your vacation sounds so fun!! How awesome that you guys are able to take so many awesome trips this year. I love the excitement that comes before vacation. My husband and I will be vacationing to Florida in a few weeks. We have never been there, but we are so excited to explore. It seems like a great place from what I’ve read on your blog! 🙂 I also completely understand your worry about leaving Sadie behind… We hate leaving our cat and dog when we go on trips. Thankfully we have great family that will watch them for us as well. Hope you guys have a great time!
I’m jealous of all your travels! Especially the family vaca – I can’t remember the last time my family went on a vacation together. I think it’s something we need to make a priority now! It’s just so hard because everyone’s schedules are so different.
Aw Sadie is so cute. Have a great trip!
Oh so very jealous! I would love to go just about anywhere on vacation (I love travelling and am actually headed to NYC on Saturday for a short girls trip) and I’ve been to Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, etc.) but never to Italy and that’s where I’ve always wanted to go.
I am so excited about my vacation! My husband and I are going home, to Michigan, for a wedding — I can’t wait until June! But, I am a little jealous of him; he gets to go on a vacation early. Monday he will going to Germany! I mean it is a work trip, but it is still Germany! I wouldn’t complain about 2 weeks in Germany. Now we are trying to get everything together and packed.
We just went on a family vacation to marco island for 10 days over Easter, and this week my husband and I are on a spa and golf vacation in Los Angeles! We are also moving to CT (from OH) this summer! I am excited to explore the east coast!
I am new to your website and you are inspiring me to work out and eat healthy!
I’m fluent in Spanish… if you need a translator 😉 I’m sure I could fit into your suitcase! I only have some trips home planned for this summer, but I’m (hopefully, we need a few more HS girls to sign up) going to Costa Rica for two weeks this summer to teach about sea turtles!! I’m incredibly excited bout that.
If I could go anywhere right now, it would be an island or a spanish speaking nation.
Every time i bring out my luggage, my cat gets in it and/or sits on it when it is packed up. He knows whats happening and hates that I leave. 🙁
Hands down, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was one of the best things I have ever done. I was just looking over my pics the other night, in fact! I am guessing since you are only going for 9 days and hitting all those places, you aren’t hiking the trail, but you will love it. Peru is amazing.
Have a blast! Try guinea pig (local delicacy).
Your trip sounds amazing! I am so jealous.
I have been to Peru twice, and my family does mission trips there! I have a lot of friends from Peru, and I know you are going to love it! If you get a chance, try the ceviche and Aji de Gallina! Both typical peruvian dishes! Have fun!