BETTER THAN MAINE?

Sunday August 7, 2022

Hi, this is Guinness posting today!  You didn’t know I can use a keyboard, did you?  

Actually, I can’t; so I’m dictating this!

Today we sailed to Valcour Island, about an hour to the Northwest.  We had five coves to choose from, and the one I selected – Spoon Bay – was surrounded by granite cliffs on one side and a sandy beach on the other. We had lunch on board, and I helped Rod and Lynn finish off the pasta carbonara from the night before.  Yum!  

I love to swim off the beach, but I’m kind of reluctant to jump off the swim platform on the boat.  So, Rod and Lynn launched the dinghy and ran me ashore for a swim.  I love to ride in the dinghy, and I bark excitedly as soon as Rod starts to lower it.  Ahhh, swimming!  What a treat on a hot day!

Lynn told me that Valcour Island is the largest Great Blue Heron rookery on Lake Champlain, and I think I spotted one along the shore!

Anyway, I am thinking that maybe this is better than Maine…

• It takes just about the same amount of time to get there

• The trip to Maine is more interesting – this canal business is kind of a bore.

• But once you get here, the scenery is even prettier than Maine: the Adirondacks run up the west side of the lake, and the Green Mountains of Vermont on the east.

• And the lake itself is HUGE!  Lots of room to gun it and go!

A lot of you have written to ask, “Guinness, what is your day on the boat like?”  

I admit that I don’t move around much while we’re underway.  The engine makes a lot of noise and vibration, and I suspect that Rod and Lynn can’t even hear some of the frequencies that I detect.  There’s also a lot of movement underfoot, so I just lie down at Rod’s feet in front of the helm station.  

But once we slow down to enter a new marina, I’m the first one on deck

Lynn and Rod take me with them wherever they go: because I’m a Service Dog, I get to go the markets; to restaurants; everywhere!

At night, I have my own sleeping compartment.  (It’s actually the shower, but I’m quite happy to be closed in there for the night. ) I feel safe.  AND it’s air conditioned!

Because we stay in marinas, I get to take a long walk / run every morning and every evening, and I’m meeting A LOT of new friends!

So…for a dog’s life, this is not too bad.

Woof, woof for now.

G