Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

City Dog Goes to Washington (State, That Is)

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Ella here! Something you need to know about me is that I may have 0 percent body fat, but I love snow.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

OK, maybe not quite as much as Mom loves snow.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

(They call her Lunatic for a reason, and I’ll give you a hint: It has nothing to do with her surname.)

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

So when Mom and Dad told me we were headed to Washington for a week smack in the middle of the winter, I packed my snowshoes and stuffed monkey and was ready to roll!

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Plus, you may have noticed that I really love planes.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

I mean, who doesn’t love flying? So comfortable! So much leg room! The other passengers are all so charming! It’s pretty swell if you ask me.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

You know what I don’t love? Cars. So being on a plane for six hours and then a car for another six, well, that part wasn’t awesome. But they tell me the views were worth it. I wouldn’t know as I didn’t look out the window once.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

However, once that white fluffy stuff started dusting the ground, we pulled over and I made it my kingdom.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Just call me Ella van Luna, queen of the dire wolves, protector of plebeians, slayer of white walkers.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Of course, the best part came when we arrived at my castle for the week: the mountain home of my good pals, the NVR Guys. Have y’all met them? If not, you really need to make that a priority.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Their home is in a magical forest near the Valley with room to romp and plenty of squirrels and turkeys to chase.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mom wouldn’t let me stay out long without my sweater—and I really hate my sweater, guys—as it got down to -3 degrees and I’m of slight build and thin blood. So we did take some short hikes until my fur was frozen over and I was sent indoors.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mom’s always ruining all my fun.

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Still, I made the use of my time outdoors while I had it, accumulating ice balls on my belly and face-planting into the powder. It was epic.
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains
Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

Y’all, Washington is the bee’s knees. Why doesn’t everybody winter here? I know personally I’m looking into real estate in Mazama (just gotta get a job first, I s’pose…).

Mazama Moment: Pet-Friendly Travel in the Washington Mountains

On our way back to Seattle, we stayed at a Hotel Monaco—a first for me—and it was paw-sitively pawsome! They love the nation within over there at the Kimpton brands, and I love them for that. Can’t think of a better way to end a killer vacation, can you?

Pet-Friendly Travel iN Seattle

Pup out,

Ella


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Washington with Pets: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Methow Valley
Washington with Pets: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Methow Valley
Washington with Pets: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Methow Valley
COMMENTS
  • February 10, 2017

    Aww Ella belly-deep in the snow is very cute! I also like the picture where Ella is standing on the only patch of dry ground and you’re making a snowangel 🙂 You guys are a perfect combo!

    • February 17, 2017

      Ha, you mean how she’s staring at me like “who’s the crazy woman?” while she keeps her paws dry? 😉

  • February 10, 2017

    I love the snow when I’m not driving in it. Give me a mountain cabin in the snow, fireplace, wine and eats and I’m in heaven!

    • February 17, 2017

      Right? It’s all about the environment—if you have a comfy cabin (and fire)(and bourbon/wine) to enjoy, then the snow can be dreamy! But I remember the days of snow when we were in our camper with pop-outs…no bueno, ha!

  • February 10, 2017

    Great post and lovely pics of a doggie in the snow. We rarely get snow in this quantity, so it’s fun seeing how other people enjoy the piles and piles of it you’re showing here! Best wishes for a wonderful winter and great spring ahead.

    • February 17, 2017

      Oh we NEVER get snow in Tennessee, so I feel you, Rusha! It’s a treat…though it was MUCh colder than I anticipated, ha!

  • February 10, 2017
    Natalie

    What a beautiful place! Loved the pictures and I always love Ella’s perspective! My little Sammie loves the snow but she’s also tiny and abhors wearing her jacket and boots. We feel your pain lol!

    • February 17, 2017

      Ella prefers to be nekkid all the time! She was not thrilled that I forced her to wear a sweater 😉

  • February 10, 2017

    So cute. My dogs are tiny and are not big on snow. Their little skinny legs start shaking as soon as they hit it!

    • February 17, 2017

      Yeah, Ella is pretty skinny (6 pounds!) and has hair, not fur, so she was shivering much of the time.

  • February 12, 2017

    Oh, Ella – without that bright sweater, you’d be lost in all that white snow!

    • February 17, 2017

      She’s definitely a camo-dog in the snow!

  • February 16, 2017

    Aww! I love this piece written by Ella. And indeed, she is “Ella van Luna, queen of the dire wolves, protector of plebeians, slayer of white walkers,” but really, really cute while doing so.Such a darling.

    My husband sadly, doesn’t like dogs, so we have two cats instead – Lily & Yukiko, both of them charming, cuddly, adn sometimes quite diva-like!
    p.s. They own us. No doubt about it!

    • February 17, 2017

      Doesn’t like dogs?! Those kind of people exist?? 😉

      I bet Ella could win him over!

      In all seriousness, would it surprise you to learn that SVV was a cat person before he met Ella’s dad, Kobe? We actually had a cat that Scott adopted as a kitten and who lived with us until he was about 14 and we moved to Tennessee! I’m highly allergic so not really a cat person, but I like to observe from afar (and watch cat videos, LOL) and I bet your kitties are super cute 😉

      • April 15, 2017

        They are Kristin, they are. In fact, I call them the daughters that I never had!

        We’re in Croatia at the moment, but I miss them so, and they miss us too! 😀

  • February 16, 2017

    Ella + Snow = The Best

    • February 17, 2017

      Ella + Snow + Face Plant = Comic Gold

  • February 22, 2017

    She is such a cute dog, I envy you! We have a cat at home, and the only thing he wants to do is to lay around and eat. It would be nice to have someone that would make us go outside more often.

  • April 27, 2017

    As I love animals a lot.
    But I have never saw this type of dog .
    This dog is so cutee.
    If I saw this dog in live I will have kiss .
    Thanks for wonderful photo

  • May 16, 2017

    I love the snow when I’m not driving in it. Give me a mountain cabin in the snow, fireplace, wine and eats and I’m in heaven!

  • August 4, 2017

    I must say your pet is very cute.I wish I have a pet like yours.

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