Picture this—a small Colorado town absolutely overrun by… Golden Retrievers. Yes, it’s real. Goldens in Golden, and I got to experience it for the first time this year. Spoiler alert: it was everything I hoped for and more.

Apparently, this year was the biggest crowd yet, and with all the wagging tails, fluffy butts, and squeaky toys, you could feel the golden energy everywhere. From navigating packed streets to sharing belly rubs and snacks, here’s everything you need to know about this magical, slightly chaotic event and how to make the most out of it.

Road trips are one of my favorite ways to travel. There’s something freeing about rolling the windows down, blasting a playlist that swings from Noah Kahan, to some country, and hitting the open road. Plus, when I bring my Golden Retriever, Whiskey, along for the ride, it turns into a whole different kind of adventure. He's only 11 Months old but Whiskey is basically a professional road tripper at this point—This guy has literally been to 4 states in his 11 months of life. He’s definitely mastered hotel stays, long car rides, and even how to charm the front desk staff into giving him some extra treats.

Traveling solo with your dog is rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Over a few trips, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks to make these trips smoother—for both of us. Whether you’ve got a high-energy pup or a snoozing sidekick, here are my go-to pieces of advice for making solo road trips with your dog less stressful and way more fun.