The Battles, a couple who've been together since meeting in North Carolina, have had Frankie, their Nigerian Dwarf goat, as their travel buddy for almost a decade. They've taken her on numerous road trips across the US, including the Southwest, the Midwest, and various states like Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. This adventurous journey has gained them an impressive following of more than 20,000 on Instagram.
Despite their initial uncertainty about how Frankie would cope, she quickly proved herself to be an excellent travel companion. "She has followers on all continents except Antarctica," Kate revealed. "I just need to find someone in Antarctica with an interest in following Frankie."
The couple stumbled upon Frankie when a friend gifted her a visit to a Tennessee farm. They brought her back to Asheville, North Carolina, where she quickly became part of their family. After selling their bar and having their children move out, they started considering their next life chapter.
Being 'empty nesters', they decided to explore a new city and a different state, and the idea of traveling in an Airstream seemed like a perfect fit. Although they had already gone on a trip together, they had never gone camping before. In 2016, they bought a used Airstream Argosy from 1976, renovated it, and began their journey.
"It's basically just a shell," Kate shared. "We found something like a mummified bird during installation." Chad, who has a cleaning and maintenance department for Zeichenabteilungen, handled all the renovations, while Kate - a writer and artist - took care of the painting details.
Frankie was brought along for their first road trip, spending time with a friend while the Battles were away for six months. They then decided to travel across several states, looking for a suitable base before eventually choosing Grant's Trail in Southern Oregon.
The following year, they sold their house and embarked on a cross-country journey, this time with Frankie. Taking her on longer trips was a new experience, and they were thrilled to find that she enjoyed the journey.
"She had a wonderful time," Kate added. "We go on a walk every day." Since their first trip, they've taken Frankie along for up to six-month-long journeys or as short as two-week trips. Even their 2019 Cocker Spaniel Maggie joined them on their adventures.
Frankie enjoys the Oregon coast, according to Kate, due to the fun rock formations for jumping, and her love for Slot Canyons. Despite the challenges and time spent looking for pet-friendly locations like restaurants, bars, and trails, the couple believes that Frankie adds a unique twist to their travels.
"You can't travel without pets," Kate admitted, "but sometimes we have to go our separate ways and explore areas where goats aren't allowed." National parks, particularly those with hiking trails, are not always pet-friendly. They might take a short hike to see the highlights and then visit popular spots on their own.
Their travels have taken them from Oregon to California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico along Route 66, and back to Tennessee, before touring North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Despite their plans to travel with Frankie to Canada one day, strict regulations have deterred them.
"We wouldn't put her under quarantine," Kate said, "and there are definitely restrictions when traveling with goats." Despite these obstacles, their love for traveling has not waned. In fact, they've recently added a new companion, a dog named Corndog.
The Battles share a deep bond with Frankie, who they consider part of their family. "Goats are incredible teachers," Kate said. "We've definitely developed a connection.
Enrichment Insights:
- Consistent Posting: Regularly sharing photographs and videos of their travels, along with engaging stories, can keep their audience interested and create a personal connection.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Sharing behind-the-scenes content can give followers a glimpse into their daily life, making their journey more relatable and intriguing.
- Storytelling: Encouraging storytelling can lead to increased interaction and engagement.
- Hashtags and Tags: Utilizing relevant hashtags and tagging other accounts related to travel, Airstreams, and animals can improve content reach and exposure.
- Collaborations: Collaborating with other travel bloggers and enthusiasts can widen their audience and potentially result in mutual following gains.
- Instagram Stories and Reels: Posting Reels, use of Instagram Stories, and promoting other popular formats can maintain audience engagement.
- Community Building: Building a community around their travels can foster a loyal following and fans who spread their content.
- Personal Touch: Emphasizing the unique bond between the couple and Frankie can make the content heartfelt and more shareable.
- Engagement with Followers: Responding to comments and messages can build a loyal community by showing appreciation for their support.
