It's a dog's life

Ike and Sookie, our two mega-mutts (AKA Australian Labradoodles) have been our somewhat-faithful companions on this trip but we have decided that in future cruises they are going to the mutt motel (or have someone sit with them -- any volunteers?) They did not like the idea of using the pee pad at all and we are not up to the task of taking them ashore even a couple of times a day -- one of the reasons we have only stopped at marinas on this trip. For the most part, they have been good cruisers, but last night, when we were at least 5' from the dock, Sookie decided that was close enough to jump -- NOT. Result: one soaking wet dog (fortunately she had her PFD on which made retrieval much easier). Now we are careful to tether her in the cabin as we approach any dock. Ike likes to check out what we are doing but thus far has stayed out of the water.

Last night was spent in Lagoon Cove, and tonight we are at Blind Channel Resort, where Ike and Sookie found 3 other Labradoodles to compare notes with.

The rain and cold of the Broughtons took more out of us than we realized, and even though we have more sunshine and warm weather here on the north end of the Discovery Islands we are both tired and ready to get home. My back has been bothering me and after several weeks in the boat berth my hips have started complaining. Lori wants to get home now, too, so we are going to head straight home from here, which should take 2 or 3 days, depending on the weather, wind, etc.

As with every cruise, we come home with many ideas about modifications to improve the boat, what to pack, etc. I think we have also decided that a month is about the ideal length of a cruise for us. Maybe someday we will take off to Alaska for the whole summer like some of our friends do, but not yet.