American Journey 2020

Home, Happiness, Health, and the Hilton

Posted on by desiree michael
four people kneeling, one holding Spike
30
Oct
Red location marker = Springfield, Missouri – Home of Spike’s Double Tree and GVX

Creating a home on the road is not easy. Most of us know the saying, home is where the heart is, but I think Spike and I have to agree with Metallica, home is wherever we may roam. We initially wanted a vehicle that would reflect that exact sentiment: We wanted to live out of a GVX Patagonia–a road giant designed for off-road living…we settled for our Jeep and the Hilton chain of hotels. Read why …

The smaller GVX off-road-homes: We made it there — almost smack in the middle of the US

What to choose when you are doing a cross country trip?

Health: Before we plotted our journey, we stayed with our very first individual sponsor. She has discovered the secret to youthfulness, Fit4Life: The founder of Fit4Life and her husband make being in shape a must. Dad does 500 pull-ups and sit-ups/day. Mom does at least three-miles daily! Mom gave me a challenge to remember to exercise everyday–easier said than done–that is until I took advantage of the heated pool at the Homewood Suites’. So, the easiest advice to remember on a road-trip for exercising says Fit4Life founder, “Exercise, because your worth it!”

  • Hilton swimming pool
    15 minutes a day
Access to a heated pool was the best daily exercise ever, so be sure (during pandemic conditions) to reserve a time at the front desk of your Hilton chain of hotels.
Warm breakfast at Homewood Suites

Happiness: The best happiness of all came from the hot breakfasts at Hilton’s Homewood Suites. Most hotels, have stopped making warm breakfasts during the pandemic. So, the turkey-sausage or bacon, daily choice of waffles, bagels, omelettes, fruits, and hot cereal was sweet!

  • Awesome Double Tree Staff
Spike gains an adopted family at the Double Tree, Springfield, Missouri

Home: One day terror struck my heart once again. As I worked, I looked around and Spike was gone. Nowhere in sight! But, I should have known the little prancer, who could now walk, had pranced his way right into the Double Tree hotel entrance and into the hearts of others! With that, I realized little one was ready to call some place home and stop the roaming.

Choose a chain: We chose the Hilton chain because most are family-friendly (including to your fur-babies–but do check as some do not accept pets: Spike hopes to change this!)

Chain Points: If you open an account with the chain, like Hilton Honors, you can rack up points with each stay and that will get you a few more ‘free’ nights…not to mention a stay at a Double Tree where you get a warm cookie at check-in. Be sure to ask for one!

Happy travels…happy home away from home. Spike gives the Hilton Chain the Golden Paw Award! Follow the paws!

Spikey’s “Best Travels” seal

48 thoughts on “Home, Happiness, Health, and the Hilton”

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This summer, the Mike and Spike, Spike and Mike roadshow will cross America and connect with people and places that make this country distinctly American. 
Horses will be the animal theme that draw us to the locations of states across America as they were historically the lead animal for transport…(Sure Spike, we won’t forget to visit dogs and create a signature print!). As we travel, the horse theme will transition to horsepower! Horsepower, of course, is now our primary means of seeing our country.
The subsequent theme is sand--yes, sand. Why sand? We will travel from “sea to shining sea” and collect sand from each shore; from the shores of the Assateague Island to the Coronado Islands, and the sand dunes in between. And, actually, these locations used to be called “seas.”