Highway Hannah: Rolling from the Mountains to the Keys in My Subaru Outback Wilderness (with My Dog Riding Shotgun)
- Hannah Lentz aka Highway Hannah
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
There’s a rhythm to the road when you live out of a Subaru Outback Wilderness, and I’ve learned to love it like a favorite song. It’s the sound of tires humming along winding mountain passes, the thump of paws as my dog jumps into the backseat, the soft crack of a cooler lid opening after a long hike, and the whisper of pages turning under the glow of a lantern at night.
My Subaru isn’t just a car—it’s a trusty companion, a rolling cabin, and the reason my adventures stretch from rugged mountain peaks to the salty air of the Florida Keys. And with my four-legged co-pilot by my side, every mile feels like part of a bigger story.
Mountain Life: Where Adventure Begins
When I’m tucked away in the mountains, comfort matters just as much as adventure. The Outback’s all-wheel drive takes me to places where the roads aren’t really “roads” anymore—gravel, mud, and sometimes nothing but tracks carved by brave souls before me. Up there, I feel the crisp alpine air that smells like pine, and my dog sticks his head out the window, nose twitching at every new scent.
I keep my Subaru stocked like a mobile basecamp. A week’s worth of food rides in the back—granola, dried fruit, a stash of chocolate bars (non-negotiable), and plenty of kibble and treats for my dog. The cooler keeps fresh veggies and drinks cold, and I’ve learned to pack like I’m heading off-grid, because, well… sometimes I am.
At night, the mountains come alive. Coyotes call in the distance, stars blanket the sky, and that’s when I string up the hammock between two trees or pitch my tent on soft ground. When it’s too chilly, the sleeping bag rolls out right in the back of the Outback, and my pup curls up like the world’s best space heater.
Prepared for All Weather
Here’s the thing: mountains don’t care what your plans are. One day the sun’s warm enough for short sleeves, the next you’re scraping frost off the windshield. That’s why I keep my gear layered and ready—rain jacket, snow shovel, gloves, and extra blankets. My Subaru’s clearance makes snow-packed trails feel like a challenge instead of a problem, and the roof rails are perfect for hauling extra gear when I know the weather could turn.
My dog’s comfort matters too—he’s got his own waterproof coat, an insulated pad for cold nights, and plenty of water stored in collapsible containers. Because if we’re both prepared, then we’re both free to enjoy the ride without worry.
First Aid, Because Life Happens
Life on the road is beautiful, but it’s not always predictable. That’s why my first aid kit is my constant companion. It’s packed with bandages, antiseptic, tweezers (ticks, yuck), and dog-safe meds for emergencies.
I’ve used it for everything from a scraped knee after a clumsy hike to pulling out a thorn my dog picked up chasing after a squirrel. Being ready means small problems stay small.
Books for the Quiet Moments
Not every moment on the road is wild and loud. Some of my favorites are the quiet ones. When the fire burns low, my dog snores softly, and I’ve got a book open in my lap, the world feels perfectly still. I keep a little library in the Outback—some well-worn novels, a travel memoir or two, and guidebooks for wherever we’re headed next.
There’s nothing better than swinging in the hammock, book in hand, while the mountains stand tall around me. Those are the moments that make the road feel like home.
Rolling South: From Pines to Palms
Eventually, the road winds down from the peaks, and the air gets warmer, heavier, sweeter. Driving south is like watching the world change one mile at a time. Pine trees give way to sprawling oaks, then palms start popping up. The windows stay down longer, the jackets get shoved into the back, and by the time we hit the Florida line, it’s sandals and sunhats.
The Outback doesn’t skip a beat, carrying us from cool mountain passes to flat stretches of highway lined with palm trees. The cooler gets reloaded with fresh fruit at roadside stands, the tent gets pitched closer to sandy beaches, and the hammock becomes a daily hangout spot instead of just an evening luxury.
The Keys: A Different Kind of Adventure
By the time we roll into the Florida Keys, everything slows down. The water shifts to that unbelievable turquoise, the air is salty and warm, and life feels like one long exhale. The Subaru parks under swaying palms, and my dog immediately claims the shade as his throne.
Here, the adventures look different—kayaking instead of hiking, snorkeling instead of mountain climbs, hammocks strung between palm trees instead of pines. The cooler becomes our picnic basket, packed with sandwiches and cold drinks for days by the ocean. At night, I lay in the tent, listening to waves instead of coyotes, with my dog snuggled close and the stars stretching out above the sea.
The gear that got us through the mountains—tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, books, food—still keeps us thriving here, just in a different way. The Outback proves again it can handle whatever the journey throws at us, from rocky inclines to sandy beaches.
Why the Subaru Outback Wilderness is the Perfect Travel Partner
The Wilderness edition is built for exactly this: the freedom to go anywhere, comfortably, with the confidence that you’re ready for whatever comes. Higher clearance, rugged tires, roof rails, and that endless cargo space mean my life on the road never feels limited. Add in my carefully chosen essentials—a week’s worth of food, cooler, hammock, tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, and a stack of books—and the world feels wide open.
But the best part? My dog, sitting proudly in the passenger seat (okay, sometimes sprawled across the whole backseat). His joy at every new place reminds me why I chose this road. From mountains to the Keys, every stop is an adventure, and every adventure is better with him by my side.
My Final Thoughts
The journey isn’t about the destination—it’s about how comfortably you can live between point A and point B. For me, that’s life in my Subaru Outback Wilderness, stocked with all the gear I need, and shared with the best co-pilot a girl could ask for.
Mountains or ocean, rain or shine, forest or beach—the road always calls. And Highway Hannah is always ready to answer.
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