A Sailor's Life For Us

Monday started out cloudy and threatening. It was raining when we left home, but we were headed for the lake and the closer we got, the nicer the weather became. When we arrived at J's house it was hot and sunny. Tess and Norma Jean had never been to the lake and although they enjoy splashing in their wading pool, they've never seen a big body of water they could swim in.


J giving instructions to the group. See how attentive they are?


When we arrived at the marina J went to the boat with Splash and Grace and Rob had Morgan and Norma Jean, but Tess and I had a few problems. First there was a metal ramp that made noise. Tess didn't think she wanted to step on it. Once I convinced her to walk across it, it moved slightly and she didn't want to move. She looked up and saw the other dogs way ahead of us and decided to hurry and catch up with them.


Tess, of course, was the last one to get aboard. The boat was rocking and she didn't trust it, but again she followed the others.


When we first started moving we kept a tight hold on her leash. I didn't want her jumping overboard.


Norma Jean relaxed right away and didn't mind the movement at all.


We're there! Splash and Grace knew exactly where we were and wanted to get into the water. They're trying to open the gate by themselves.


Norma Jean jumped right in.


Tess followed her sister.


Splash and Grace headed out and waited for us to throw a toy to retrieve.


The girls are swimming out with Rob.


Look Mom, I can swim!


Yup, they're water dogs.


Norma Jean really liked it and I'm sure would have gone in again.


Grace had other ideas. Isn't it time to eat?


The dogs all stayed near Rob at lunch. They know he slips them bites of food. Today it was chicken.


The girls are feeling pretty relaxed now.


Grace and Splash are the navigators.


Morgan is a seasoned sailor now. This is her third boat ride.


Splash was sharing a seat with me and gave me this look.


Tess enjoyed the ride and wasn't acting at all nervous now.


Norma Jean doing her Marilyn Monroe impersonation.


Morgan had to try them on, too.


Who's behind the shades?


They were so relaxed that they watched out the side of the boat.


Norma Jean had to get up on the seat for a better view.


She's telling Rob all about her day.


Splash didn't want to leave.


Grace took her usual place on the back. She'd done a lot of swimming and was tired.


I think Norma Jean is asking if we can do it again soon.


Grace hopes her sisters come swimming with her again.


The dogs think we should buy this house , then they could swim all the time. That would be nice.