Jewels wasn’t just our dog—she’s the reason Kerouac’s Cruising exists. Her wild joy, desert miles, and need for open space pushed us out of the city and onto the road. Today, we share the hardest chapter: why we chose to say goodbye, how we knew it was time, and how she changed everything.

In this episode

• The storm and the sunshine: Jewels’ separation anxiety, desert hikes, and endless swims
• How her spirit shaped our move from Tucson to off-grid life in Northern Arizona
• The health declines we watched for (incontinence, wobbly legs, hearing loss) and the moment we knew
• What the final day looked like—swims, snuggles, and being with her to the last breath
• Loving a dog through goodbye, and letting that love keep shaping the way we live

Timestamps (approx.)

00:00 The legend of the couch-eater with a marathon heart

01:46 Why this episode hurts: the day we let Jewels go

03:40 Toys, Kongs, swims, and 100° Tucson shade-hops

04:57 From city to Northern Arizona: choosing land for a dog who needed space

05:48 Off-grid roaming (and the occasional “late to work” dog search)

06:32 Bringing home Norman and the return of Jewels’ sparkle

07:02 The declines we couldn’t ignore

07:55 The truck jump, the face plant, and making the call

08:42 Second-guessing vs. compassion: how we decided it was time

09:51 Holding her until her last breath

10:00 Why Kerouac’s Cruising will always carry Jewels with us

Links & things we mentioned

• 📸 Video collage celebrating Jewels’ life — coming to our feed separately
• 🐾 Resources for pet loss support: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day communities; Pet grief hotlines; books like Goodbye, Friend by Gary Kowalski

Join the conversation

IG & FB: @kerouaccruising • Email: [email protected]

Share a photo and a favorite memory of your pup—tell us what they taught you.

If this resonated

Subscribes, reviews, and shares help other grieving pet parents find this episode. Thank you for helping us honor Jewels. 💛

SEO keywords:

pet loss; saying goodbye to a dog; senior dog; dog euthanasia decision; grieving a dog; celebration of life for dog; life on the road with dogs; vanlife with dogs; RV life with dogs; off-grid life; Northern Arizona; Tucson desert; separation anxiety dog; swimming dog; remote camping with dogs; remembering a dog; honoring a pet; dog parent grief; end-of-life for pets

What if your symptoms were signals—not malfunctions? Dr. Michelle LaMasa-Dawson (Director, Recall Healing USA; Co-Director, Recall Healing International) joins us to unpack how unresolved stress, family patterns, and life timelines can map to physical symptoms—and how awareness plus practical mind-body tools can support real change.

In this conversation, we explore: identifying stress “conflicts,” why awareness is 80% of the shift, gentle somatic practices, and how to approach healing without abandoning conventional care. We also talk parenting, breaking inherited beliefs, and the Hawaiian practice of ho‘oponopono as a simple at-home reset.

Dr. Michelle LaMasa-Dawson — Director of Recall Healing USA; Co-Director of Recall Healing International; Scientific Advisory Board member. PhD in Mind-Body Medicine (Saybrook University). Certifications include NET, NLP, Sound Healing, CMBM, and fascial techniques (Human Garage).

Web: soultreetransformations.com, recallhealingusa.com

Email: [email protected] • Contact: (626) 533-7019 (Brianna)

Instagram: @soultreetransformations

• What Recall Healing looks for: timeline, birth order, naming, family events
• “Turbo function” vs “malfunction”: a reframing of symptoms
• Why awareness (80%) + action (20%) becomes a practical path
• When somatic work helps (breath, gentle fascial maneuvers, down-shifting from fight/flight)
• Ho‘oponopono for family patterns and self-responsibility
• Balancing complementary approaches with appropriate medical care

• Blog for this episode: kerouacscruising.com/blog
• “Together We Rise” anthology: https://amzn.to/44hvyaX
• Human Garage (fascial maneuvers): https://humangarage.net/
• Ho‘oponopono Prayer: https://healingbrave.com/blogs/all/hooponopono-prayer-for-forgiveness
• Cara & James socials: @kerouaccruising (FB/IG)
• Contact Michelle: soultreetransformations.com | recallhealingusa.com

This episode shares personal experiences and educational perspectives. It’s not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

• If this helped, subscribe and leave a quick review—it seriously boosts our reach.
• Read the companion blog for resources + links
• Connect with us: @kerouaccruising | [email protected]

We pulled into Paiute Reservoir (Utah) to an empty shoreline, glassy water, and a hard reset on gratitude. This is the life we once dreamed about—now we’re living it. In this episode: lakeside camping, wildfire scooper planes skimming water, camper-vs-tent comfort in the heat, and the honest truck fixes that keep us rolling.

Full notes:

North of Junction and near Marysvale, Utah, we scored a serene two-night spot at Paiute Reservoir (Paiute State Park)—quiet, roomy, and jaw-dropping sunsets. Between early drives to beat the heat and lakeside work sessions, we kept reminding ourselves: this is the dream we worked for.

You’ll hear about:

• Utah reservoir camping (two-night limit at Paiute State Park) and why the camper is a game-changer in summer heat
• Wildfire scooper planes skimming the reservoir—wild to watch up close
• Transmission troubleshooting on the road (hello, thermal bypass valve)
• The mindset shift from worry → wonder: appreciating the life we asked for

🔗 Blog + photos: kerouacscuising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouacscruising

💌 Email: [email protected]

If you’ve dreamed of writing a book but feel like an imposter, this episode is your permission slip. EP House founder Kristin Hernquist Bentley breaks down how real books get made—idea to manuscript to publishing—why showing up daily beats chasing goals, and how writing becomes a healing, life-changing practice.

We go deep on the author journey: overcoming author-imposter syndrome, choosing between traditional, indie, and self-publishing, what developmental editing actually is, and how vulnerability on the page creates reader transformation. Kristin shares EP House’s boutique model, her journalism roots, the 2020 launch story, and the game-changing advice she got from the first female NFL coach she interviewed: “I didn’t chase dreams—I showed up and gave my best every day, and the path unfolded.”

What you’ll learn

• The 3 publishing paths (traditional, indie, self)
• How developmental editing shapes your story (and your confidence)
• A practical way to start: 12 chapters × ~1,200 words (the “vomit draft”)
• Why readers need your real story (and how to write it safely)
• How books build community, catalyze healing, and change lives

🔗 Our blog & resources: kerouacscruising.com

📲 Say hi: Instagram & Facebook @kerouacscruising

💌 Email: [email protected]

📚 EP House: ephouse.co or [email protected]

Crystal-clear waters, free camping, and wide-open Wyoming skies 🌄—this week’s stop at Lake Cameahwait felt like a private oasis. But road life always brings challenges too, from overheated transmissions to tricky campsite searches. In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we share our camping wins, RV park review, and road trip lessons learned.

We also revisit the fun of Red Lodge’s car show, reconnect with old friends, and prep for Utah. Whether you’re an RVer, dog-loving nomad, or dreaming of free lakeside camping, this story will inspire your next adventure.

🔗 Campendium listing for Lake Cameahwait: campendium.com/lake-cameahwait

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: https://www.nps.gov/bica/index.htm

Phillips RV Park: https://www.phillipsrvpark.com/

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

🐾 Blog + photos: kerouaccruising.com

What if your bloodwork says you’re “fine,” but your body tells a different story? In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, Cara shares her raw health journey—hormone imbalances, adrenal fatigue, gut health struggles, and how functional medicine and self-love are helping her heal beyond surface-level “solutions.”

Cara opens up about elimination diets, trauma’s impact on health, and finding a doctor who finally listened. This is a story of hope, healing, and remembering you’re not alone.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Adrenal Transformation Protocol: A 4-Week Plan to Release Stress Symptoms and Go from Surviving to Thriving by Izabella Wentz PharmD

Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones by Mindy Pelz

Work with Dr. Beth Claxton

🔗 Blog & resources: kerouaccruising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

💌 Email: [email protected]

Red Lodge, Montana gave us everything—free camping at Willow Creek, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, and new friends with incredible road trip stories. But it wasn’t all smooth: our truck overheated again, and campground hunting tested our patience. In this episode, we share the joys, challenges, and lessons of living nomadically on the road.

From birthday rock climbing in Post Falls to VW van-life tales, this chapter is full of connection, resilience, and the beauty of saying yes to adventure.

🔗 Blog + photos: kerouaccruising.com

📲 Join us: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

🐾 Support the journey: https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

At Lightning Creek, Idaho, we lived the dream—floating in the creek, cooking fireside meals, fixing our camper, and soaking in rare moments of family magic. In this episode of Kerouacs Cruising, we share the highs and lows of off-grid living: unreliable Starlink, redneck fixes, and the deep gratitude that fuels our nomadic journey.

From EFT tapping breakdowns to joyful creek days with our grandbaby, this chapter reminds us that even imperfect days hold perfection. Join us as we navigate camper repairs, truck upgrades, and the pull between family roots and the open road.

🔗 Blog + pictures: kerouacscruising.com

📲 Let’s connect: Instagram & Facebook @kerouaccruising

🐾 Travel with us, support the journey: https://ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising

Join us as we talk with Jade Beaty—author, healer, and courageous storyteller—about surviving toxic secrets, sexual healing, and breaking generational trauma. This episode explores:

• Complex trauma healing, rooted in family systems and difficult histories
• The healing power of embracing spiritual sexuality without shame
• How to reclaim personal identity when family and history feel hidden—or harmful
• The intersection of creative expression and healing through writing and storytelling

Whether you're seeking spiritual healing or curious about reclaiming your deepest self, Jade’s insights illuminate a powerful path toward authenticity.

When you’re living the dispersed camping life, you have to roll with the punches—and sometimes those punches come from the logging crew.

In this episode, we share how our dream campsite near family got cut short when Idaho land managers asked us to pack up—fast. From soggy tear-downs to long drives and doggy mishaps, we cover the chaos, the stress, and the unexpected blessings that landed us back in one of our all-time favorite camp spots: Lightning Creek.

You’ll hear:

• Why dispersed camping means embracing the unpredictable
• The pros & cons of camping close to family vs. deep in nature
• How we set up (and sometimes don’t set up) after a long day’s move
• The magic of Idaho’s inland rainforest and why Lightning Creek keeps calling us back
• Behind the scenes of working remotely on the road, launching a new website, and producing another podcast while traveling

We may be an hour from our son now, but we’ve got glacier-fed water, giant cedar trees, and nights falling asleep to the sound of the creek—and that’s a trade we’re happy to make.

📍 Blog & photos for this episode: kerouaccruising.com

🐾 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @kerouaccruising

🎒 Watch all episodes on YouTube or your favorite podcast app

#DispersedCamping #LightningCreek #IdahoTravel #RVParking #OffGridCamping #KerouacsCruising #RVLife #FullTimeTravel