TRAVEL TUESDAYS: INTERVIEW WITH BRITTANY OF PAWS FOR BEER

This week we would like to introduce Brittany Longden of Paws for Beer. You’ll find Brittany has a beer in one hand and a dog leash in the other.  She’s a road tripper by nature but will catch the occasional flight if her destination is further than she can drive.  Her favorite way to travel is solo road trips with her dog, Boomer.  She likes to challenge herself on ways to include Boomer on every trip while they visit new areas. It is, after all, his vacation as well!  She also likes to seek out breweries while traveling whether they are well known or soon to be discovered.  And She is always up for a brewery tour!

1. What inspires you to travel, and how would you define the word ‘traveler’? 

I love exploring new places and learning the history of the area.  Architecture is inspiring to me and often holds a lot of history about the area.  I try to find interesting building tours while on the road with my favorite buildings being those designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  I am also a lover of beer and plan most of my trips around finding new brews to try.  It is exciting to me to find new flavor combinations that often inspire me in my own creation of beer.

I would define a “traveler” as someone who is not afraid to step out their door and take on the adventure.

2. For those who don’t yet know you, can you explain your travel style?

My preferred method of travel is by car.  I love driving and being on the open road.  I feel it is the best way to see an area.  My dog and I usually do 9 to 10 day road trips 2 to 3 times a year.  I do take a few trips a year without Boomer that usually involve flying to see friends throughout the United States.

3. How do you afford your travels?

I work a full time job and save for my trips

4. Where was your first international trip and how old were you?

My family and I went to the Bahamas.  I think I was 12 or 13.

5. Where has been your favorite destination? Where has been your least favorite? 

Montana is my favorite spot – I love it’s rustic beauty.  Florida (sorry Florida) is my least favorite.  There is more to this reason but I can not stand humidity

6. If you had to settle down in one location forever, where would you choose and why?

I have a lot more places to travel before I could pick a forever location.  I like to have seasons so somewhere up north.  I need snow!

7. Have you ever had high hopes for a destination, tour, etc., only to be disappointed in the end? Or any travel mishaps? 

I have been pretty lucky so far and not been overly disappointed with anything.  Most of my issues have been weather related and one plane issue.  I was returning from a trip and heard a loud clunk just after take off.  The flight was fine until we were on our final approach.  The pilot came on the intercom and informed us that part of the plane’s navigation had fallen off during the flight (I assume that was the clunk I had heard).  We were also not to be concerned with the fire trucks that were going to be lining the runway. He landed the plane without error however the plane “skated” all over the runway until we came to a stop.  It was a pretty exciting landing!

8. What’s the funniest or weirdest cultural idiosyncrasy you’ve either witnessed or experienced?

A weird thing I saw while on a tour in Belize were several guards with machine guns standing around where we were touring.  We were near the Guatemalan boarder and were told the guards were there to protect us from being kidnapped as the potential was higher due to our proximity to the boarder.  I’m pretty sheltered so that was a little shocking to see and think about the possible dangers of being kidnapped.  It also made me realize that because those guards were stationed there that it was normal there and protection is needed to keep people from being kidnapped.

9. What keepsake do you have to get at all your destinations? 

I used to collect a lot of souvenirs like pint and shot glasses but now I just take photos to remember my trips.  Photos take up a lot less space!

10. How about the one thing you cannot travel without? 

My camera

11. Why did you begin blogging? And how did you come up with your blog name?

I started blogging because I travel with my dog.  About 58% of pet owners bring their pets along with them on their travels.  I personally think there is a lack of information out there on traveling with your pet.  This includes traveling safely and finding places that allow your pet to visit along with you instead of just sitting in the car.  I wanted to create a community for pet travelers, encouraging people to bring their pets along on their adventures.

I came up with the Paws for Beer name to represent my love of dogs and beer.

12. What’s next?

I am headed to Chicago Illinois and Milwaukee Wisconsin for a solo trip.  Boomer and I will visit Oregon and Colorado later this year on road trips.  I still have 2 weeks of unplanned vacation days so I am hoping for either another road trip with Boomer or I my splurge for my first trip to Europe!

Traveler Toss-ups

Backpack or suitcase? I would prefer a backpack but I usually take a suitcase

Window or aisle? Window

Solo or group? Solo

Tapas or sushi? Sushi

Beach or mountains? Mountains

Be sure to follow in the travels of Brittany and her pup Boomer:

Visit Brittany’s site: Paws for Beer
Follow Brittany on Twitter: @pawsforbeer
“Like” Brittany on Facebook: Paws for Beer