Hello Everyone. My name is Andy and my fiance's name is Shelly. We hail from the Midwest, specifically Iowa. Yes, Iowa. Home of farms, pigs, corn, and the best state fair known to man! Shelly works as a costumer in films and I work for a financial company here in Iowa as an underwriter.
We know what you are thinking, ” What do two corn fed twenty something's know about traveling?”? Well, Shelly has always been addicted to traveling and I have recently caught the travel bug with my first backpacking trip through Europe.
Up until this year most of my travel experiences have been road trips with my family, while my fiance has been over to Europe and down in the Caribbean multiple times.
Her previous experiences (and let's be honest, constant pestering) led us to our first European Excursion as a couple. Traveling as a couple for 2 months in a foreign country is a huge learning experience both culturally and personally.
Unfortunately, when we got back from our European adventures we both needed to find ” big kid”? jobs. In the process of becoming ” big kids”? we thought it would be a great idea to get a dog. Some how we settled on a Newfoundland.
Our darling Tucker resembles mini horse, weighing in at one hundred pounds at just six months old. We have had a few experiences traveling with the big guy around Iowa but plan on adventuring out of state in the near future. Below is a picture of Tucker taken by Shelly's awesome colleague Greg Frieden, check out his awesome photos at gregfrieden.com.
Traveling to us is an adventure. Having the freedom to navigate a foreign country/state, experience new foods and liquors, and being together, is a thrill we live for on every trip we embark on. Traveling is our way to escape the real world and enter into our own zone where the stresses of everyday life can't reach us.
Shelly and myself are thrilled to join the GoBackpacking family and share our experiences with the community. We will be writing together and will be posting articles on traveling as a couple, traveling with a big dog, United States and Caribbean travel, beer and other liquors found throughout the world, and other advice that we feel is necessary. We will be posting soon.
Cheers
![]()
Kellie Sadd says
November 10, 2009 at 1:33 pmAndy and Shelly I am excited to keep reading about all of your adventures! :)
![]()
Dave says
November 10, 2009 at 2:13 pmI think we need lots of video of Tucker too! I'm in dog withdrawal :)
![]()
andyandshelly says
November 10, 2009 at 8:16 pmIndeed, more videos of Tucker are needed. Which means more will come
![]()
Morgen says
November 10, 2009 at 8:47 pmWa, nice! I like travelling as a backpacker. I have travelled most of the places of China.
![]()
Toya says
November 11, 2009 at 7:00 amI can't wait to read more from you guys. I have a Great Dane named Gimli and I look forward to the advice on traveling with a big dog because, as you know, there are some real difficulties involved. :-P
![]()
Barbara says
November 11, 2009 at 7:47 amJust curiously, how do you find dog friendly hotels that will allow a 100 lb dog? I have trouble finding places that will accept my 20 lb pug Jackson.
![]()
GlobalButterfly says
November 11, 2009 at 8:37 amWelcome to the team!!! Ahhh, travelers are just SO cool. I come from the South and you don't find a lot of travelers down here either, thus it's great when I find others who break those stereotypical molds as well. Cheers! :)
![]()
GlobalButterfly says
November 11, 2009 at 8:38 amPS Your dog is adorable! While I want a couple myself, I just don't think I can handle both traveling and taking care of them…at least not yet.
![]()
andyandshelly says
November 12, 2009 at 8:36 amToya, I cannot wait to share stories of Tucker with everyone. We have taken a few small road trips with him, but longer trips will be coming. Great Danes are great dogs and I can imagine you would want to travel with him.
![]()
andyandshelly says
November 12, 2009 at 8:38 amThat is a great question Barbara. It takes quite a bit of research and some fanaggling with the hotel staff, but it is great to have him with you when you travel.
Check us out soon for an upcoming article on this topic.
![]()
andyandshelly says
November 12, 2009 at 8:39 amWe are excited to join the team and hope to make an impact with everyone else.
We also cannot wait to discuss traveling with you and see what you have done and the great articles that you will write.
Your articles so far have hit on some excellent points.
![]()
GlobalButterfly says
November 12, 2009 at 10:46 amAwww, thanks so much!!! I love writing about anything travel related. :) I wish you many beautiful adventures. :)
![]()
Steven Salemi says
March 25, 2010 at 5:02 amHello Andy and Shelly, loved your bog! I'm in Nice, and would love to rent a scooter from the Scooter Rental Shop you mentioned in your blog, but can't find it for the life of me! Could you please send details to me? ssalemi@earthlink.net THANK YOU
![]()
Steven Salemi says
March 25, 2010 at 11:02 amHello Andy and Shelly, loved your bog! I'm in Nice, and would love to rent a scooter from the Scooter Rental Shop you mentioned in your blog, but can't find it for the life of me! Could you please send details to me? ssalemi@earthlink.net THANK YOU
![]()
live sex chat says
October 29, 2010 at 5:00 pmI discovered your blog last week and started follow your posts religiously. I have not commented on any blog just yet but I was thinking I would love to. It’s really exciting to actually contribute to a article even if it’s only a blog. I really don’t know exactly what to write other than I really enjoyed reading through 2 of the articles. Nice articles indeed. I sure will keep visiting your blog weekly. I learned quite a bit from you. Thx!