Nashville and BlogPaws 2015 Conference Here We Come!
I don’t think I can even begin to describe how excited I am to be hitting the road with one of my best friends for the BlogPaws pet blogger conference this Sunday morning. We are heading out a couple of days early so that we can do a little sightseeing in Nashville before the conference starts.
When I originally signed up for the conference, I had thought I might have to face my fear of flying to get there (though I knew there was still the possibility of hitching a ride with one of my fellow New England bloggers too). I decided to ask my close friend Sheryl if she wanted to drive there with me…but I honestly thought she’d think it was a crazy idea and say no. I was surprised and thrilled when she said yes!
So not only do I get to spend some quality time with my bestie, but I then get to meet a whole bunch of online friends in person and many of their pets too. On top of that, I’ll be learning a lot about blogging and I hope it will help me and my blog to grow.
I only wish I could be taking at least one of the dogs with me too, although I do think that for my first time attending it might be better to not have them to worry about. I want to get the full experience, and I’ll have enough to deal with just trying to come out of my shell and relax (though my dogs would be great ice breakers). Sheba and Cricket don’t like to ride, so they’re out. Luke loves to ride, and he had his own road trip when he was only 8 weeks old and rode up here from Alabama. But Luke just isn’t very good with strangers.
So I’ll be leaving the kids behind in the capable hands of their Dad…I’m grateful to have such a supportive hubby who is willing to care of everyone for over a week. He encouraged me to take this trip and he also encouraged us to take the couple of extra days too.
It will take us two days to get to Nashville. We’ll be crossing over through Vermont and New York, over the corner of Pennsylvania, and then down through Ohio and Kentucky. I love seeing new places, even if it is just mostly in passing. I have been to Nashville before; back when I was in college and sang in the chorus we did a tour across some of the South singing at different churches. We only passed through Nashville though with no stops that I remember. You have to zoom in on the map below to see our whole route.
I’ve been busy, busy getting ready for the trip. For the first time I’ll actually be writing a couple of short posts ahead of time because I want the blog to stay active while I’m gone (though we’ll be quite a bit quieter than usual). I may try to put up a post while on the road, but you’re more likely to see some photos from the road and the conference if you follow us on social media (which you can do if you don’t already through the icons at the top of my sidebar…we’re even on Instagram now). Of course, I’ll have all the details when I get back! Plus I’ll just be getting home just as our Multiple Pet Mania blog hop begins, so watch for that too. June will be a busy and exciting month for us, which is good, because I can imagine what a letdown it’s going to feel like when the conference is over.
I’m also already behind on visiting all of my blog friends and commenting on your posts, and I’ve kind of given up on catching up at this point since I know it will only get worse when I’m gone. I’m doing the best I can to visit your blogs, but if I haven’t made it, I will definitely catch up when I’m back home and things settle down! I’m hoping this mini vacation will inspire me (I’d say get well rested but it’s definitely not that kind of vacation…though I do intend to spend some time relaxing at the motel pool!) and I’ll learn how to manage my time better (there’s a class on that I think!).
I think I know most of which of my blog friends will be attending, but just in case, leave me a note in the comments if you’ll be there, so I can look for you! Both my friend and I will need to hug your pets if they’re with you (and they allow it) because we will surely be missing our own.
We are joining the BlogPaws pre-conference linky party! Visit other blogs through the links below for networking and more information about the conference!
I hope you have a blast. I have had to cancel at the very last minute. So bummed, can’t even begin to describe the feeling of “ugh” – be safe and have a great time. Share everything you can, for people like me, living through your posts and photos!
Oh no, Cathy, I am so sorry to hear this. I was really looking forward to meeting you and the boys! I hope everything is OK.
I think it is great that you are going and that you are going with your friend. You are going to have so much fun! Safe travels!
I hope you both have the best time, and I am so excited for you!! Safe travels and Hugs!! Enjoy!
Have a good trip! The mom says she looks forward to meeting you at BlogPaws!
I’m very excited too! 🙂 karen is right.. We need a girls’ night after we get back. I do hope to find lots of furry snuggle buddies while we’re there. I will be missing my fur babies terribly. Maybe I’ll try skyping with them if my son/babysitter will cooperate! Lol
Yes, K is right, we will have to do that.
I’d love to see if you can get Alex and the animals to Skype with you! LOL
You will be going right through our neck of the woods! If you need a break to stretch your legs when you enter Ohio, exit 218 (just a few miles over the border) has our beloved Geneva State Park (which is just down the street from the magical Madsen Donuts) just a few miles north when you exit and the Harpersfield Covered Bridge is just a few miles south of the exit and there are many, many wineries in between. Safe travels!
Thanks, Beth, I will write that down! I sure wish we had time to stop in Ohio for longer, it sounds like you have some fun places to visit (and I’ve seen all those nice walks/hikes you get to go on).
I’m hoping that one day the conference is in Cleveland so we can play tour guide at some of our favorite parks! Barley and I would be happy to show you our favorite trail at the state park if you do a need a break on your trip, but if not, just wave as you pass our exit 😉
Have a safe trip and lots of FUN! I wish I could go just so I could meet some of my blogging buddies!!
(After having to go to conferences, seminars, and week-long training sessions for most of my working years, the thought of spending time away from my girls and their Dad just gives me hives.)
Maybe, if the next conference in the eastern part of the country is held closer to home — like maybe downtown Greenville (SC) — I’ll sign up for some of the sessions so I can meet y’all in person.
I know what you mean, Sue, I always find it tough to leave my loved ones behind, which is why I really don’t travel much (luckily I never had to for work). I really do get homesick.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed SC is one of the next destinations for the conference!
Have a great trip! We’ll have to have a girl’s dinner when you get back so we can hear all about it.
Great idea, K!
Have a wonderful trip and we will see you there! I will have Bentley and Pierre with me so feel free to get your dog loving fro either of them. We all understand how difficult it is to visit other blogs on the conference days, but we will all be tweeting and posting pics on all our social media! Drive safely!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! I SO wish I could go!!! I would have loved to meet you and so many others!!!
I know you’ll have a blast!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Jenna, I sure wish you were able to go too! We’ll miss you!
Now I MIGHT be there. Right now it is up in the air. If I can figure out a way to pay for the hotel I will be there, otherwise I am afraid I will have to cancel. Hopefully I will see you! Safe travels!
Oh no, Caren, you have to go! You are on my list of “must meet”! Do you think you could find someone else to room with?
you are a sweetheart. No, I don’t do the roommate thing. I don’t have the money to even do that. I will miss meeting you TERRIBLY!!
It isn’t 100% final that I am not going, but it is looking like it. Will be canceling everything on Monday.
I know you will have a fabulous time!
Have a wonderful and safe trip!
I wish I could travel with you to BlogPaws… to meet all the people behind the blogs would be great! I wish yoiu the bestest time in Nashville !
Thank you, Easy, and I sure wish you could go too, we would love to meet you and your family!
You will have such a great time and it will be a big whirlwind! Mom says going without a dog the first time was tough but she was glad she did so she could figure things out better on her own. We will be there and available for snuggles as needed.