The Crew
Who’s on board at Road Trip Tails
Franklin
English Cocker Spaniel
This crazypants and crazysmart English cocker spaniel was picked out at Humane Animal Rescue in Pittsburgh when he was a year old. He came home malnourished and shy, but quickly broke out of his shell and promptly lunged at anyone we’d meet on the street.
Now twelve years old with a few behavioral classes under his collar, Franklin can almost pass a stranger without completely freaking out (sort of). Besides being an absolute angel in the house and loving RV travel, the other place he shines is in the woods- Franklin was made for the trails and would have been a great hunter! He can handle most any terrain for virtually any distance, and he’s not afraid to get wet, minus the waves.
Franklin Fun Fact: Franklin can free ANY treat from ANY Kong or treat toy. He has yet to be stumped!
Hazel
Beagle/Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua
As the newest member of the Road Trip Tails family and recent Canine Good Citizen, Hazel has some big shoes to fill with her tiny paws!
Hazel was born in October 2018 and adopted from Centre County Paws in Central Pennsylvania. Her mother was left at the shelter pregnant and appeared to be a beagle/Jack Russell Terrier mix – and dad seems to have been a chihuahua.
She’s a feisty addition to the pack and keeps Franklin busy by stealing his toys and treats. She also loves socks.
Jill
trip planner, marketing unicorn
The brain behind Road Trip Tails.
Full-time marketer and part-time hiking and running yogi, plus animal-loving state park enthusiast.
Russ
Fire Starter, Lifter of Heavy Things, Nurse
The brawn carrying Road Trip Tails.
Full-time nurse, part-time golfer, and adventure seeker.
Ridgeline
2019 Honda
After a bad experience with a Ford Bronco, we went back to a tried and true Honda in 2024!
The Ridgeline has an amazing amount of truck bed storage space and gives the Tails their very own bench seat in the back with a view.
TBD
After selling our RV, Axl Roads, we’re eager to try out some cabins, yurts, and state park resorts for a few years.
Stay tuned!
In Memoriam
Benjamin
Cockapoo
This curious cockapoo was purchased at the mall – GASP! – clearly at a time when we didn’t know any better (adopt don’t shop)! He came home with a scratch on his eye and a bacterial infection, but quickly overcame his puppy-mill woes and settled into a great life of adventure and napping!
Along with his daily strolls around the ‘hood, he was an avid RVer and enjoyed visiting parks, creeks, and beaches on the weekend. He was friendly with children and other dogs, but not so good with squirrels and ducks.
Benjamin Fun Fact: Despite being fed high-quality food, Benjamin consumed half a pound of Reese’s pieces, a bookmark, two library books, plastic flowers from a flip flop, a sandal, a bag of Double Bubble gum, deer/rabbit/goose poop, a bra, and an elbow of a leather jacket….not to mention countless pairs of shorts and underwear….during his lifetime.
Benjamin said goodbye to us and took off on his last adventure over the rainbow bridge on May 11, 2018, after just over 16 1/2 years of bucket-listing and making friends everywhere he went.
Rest in sweet peace, best friend!
Element
2010 Honda
The minty fresh Element was the first official short-adventure vehicle of Road Trip Tails.
After racking up well over 200k miles, we sold the Element in January 2023.
Axl Roads
1997 Ford Fourwinds RV
Acquired with only 16,000 miles on him, we partially gutted and remodeled Axl Roads to be our first long-weekend-adventure vehicle.
After taking him up to 36k miles, we sold Axl Roads in October 2023.
Bronco
2023 Ford
As a replacement for the irreplaceable Element, the Ford Bronco was our new short-adventure vehicle.
After putting up with the rattling screen, odd ‘degree’ heating system, brakes that almost put us through the windshield, and SIX vehicle recall notices, we went back to a tried and true Honda in 2024.
Lesson learned!
