Keeping Cool

The crew likes to catch the breezes from the cockpit. Dee Dee has even started getting "out of crate" privileges when Mom and Dad leave the boat so she can stay cool. So far so good...

They're Retrievers!

Today at the beach Dee Dee and black Lab buddy Gracie showed their retrieving prowess by relentlessly bringing back the bumper.  While Dylan spent the afternoon husking his own coconut.

Dog Friends!

The only thing better than a romp on the beach is a romp on the beach with their dog pal Gracie.
After that.... nap time.

Guard Duty

Dee Dee has decided if she can see it, hear it, or smell it, she can bark at it. On the positive side we have yet to be attacked by pirates, scoundrels, or viscous dogs. Good girl!

Shark Creek

Dylan and Dee Dee joined a flotilla of five dinghies that made the trek down Shark Creek. Fortunately, we never saw the creek's namesake but did see lots of sea turtles and some manta rays.

Dee Dee Husks Her 1st Coconut

Dylan and Dee Dee found a coconut buried in the sand. Dee Dee dug it out and Dylan showed her what to do. She was a fast learner.

Favorite Photo for February 22, 2015

The kids have decided that they need a sabbatical from their blog due to their extremely busy schedule here at Great Harbour Cay Marina in the Bahamas. Besides, how much can you say about dogs and beaches and the Bahamas? Walk to the beach, have a blast, walk back, go to sleep. That's pretty much it.

They've decided that they'd rather pick out their favorite photo each day and post it to their blog. Don't worry, if something really important happens they'll let you know.

For now sit back, relax, and enjoy Dylan and Dee Dee's greatest adventure.

Dylan and Mommy just chillin' at the beach.

It's Better In The Bahamas!

The aCappella crew crossed over from Miami Beach, Florida to Bimini, Bahamas last Monday in the company of John, Marilyn, and Gracie on Carolina. Ordinarily a new adventure like that would have called for lots of pictures of the crew. Unfortunately, the crossing was not exactly as predicted so the whole crew (Mom included) was not in a state that warranted photo ops.

We made it safely to Brown's Marina in Bimini by mid-afternoon in time check into Customs and attend a boaters' potluck that night. Brown's has an interesting group of liveaboards who love Bimini. Everyone wanted to tell us their favorite things about the island. However, we had a small weather window the next day before things fell apart for many days so we decided to leave at daybreak for the long trip to Great Harbour Cay. We know we have to go back and stay for a spell next time.

Tuesday's conditions were much better which we think went a long way towards deflecting the mutiny the crew was contemplating when we fired up the engines.

Dylan and Dee Dee kicked in and did their part with Dylan handling the role of 1st Mate and Dee Dee stepping in as 2nd Mate. It was a long day with aCappella arriving at Great Harbour Cay Marina just before dusk. The weather was beautiful but that quickly changed the next day as we went from pouring rain to high winds and cool weather. We had to pull out our polar fleece (?).

The crew had to content themselves with watching they friend Gracie across the bow. Fortunately, it was sunny.

We did brave the winds and take both crews for a walk to check out some of the beaches on the island. Even on a blustery day they are beautiful.

Dylan and Dee Dee were kept on their leashes partly because we didn't want soaking wet dogs on a cold day. But mainly because I still had great reservations about trusting Miss Dee Dee. The last few times we had her at a beach she thought she could swim to Portugal.

Today was the big day. Dylan, Dee Dee, and Gracie, along with their people, headed out after lunch to the beach for their first Bahamas swim. Did they enjoy themselves? What do you think?

As for Miss Dee Dee No, she was a good girl and amazed us all by coming when called, often being the first one to start back towards us. Could it be that our naughty little girl is growing into a good big girl? Or...

...maybe someone stole her in the night and replaced her with a well behaved dog that looks just like her. Only time will tell.

Miami Beach

Dylan and Dee Dee only have time for a quick update. It has been a very busy week. We've been anchored at Belle Isle in Miami Beach so that their dad could attend the Miami Boat Show. The kids weren't allowed at the show but still had a great time watching the goings on in Miami Beach.

Of course, no stop would be complete without checking out the dog parks - and yes, in Miami Beach, dog parks is plural. It turns out there were two dog parks we could walk to. And the best part is that visiting either one started off with a dinghy ride. The first was at Flamingo park. It was a nice park but a long walk through Miami Beach.

The next day we went to the Belle Isle dog dark which was just a walk across the Belle Isle bridge. That turned into a favorite. The crew learned right away to line up around 3 o'clock for their ride in the dinghy.

Dylan got a chance to work on his Frisbee catching prowess.

It was a great week, topped off by good friends John and Marilyn showing up with black lab Gracie. Gracie and Dixie have been good friends of Dyna and Dylan for years. Dixie has joined Dyna in the huge dog park in the sky. The three of them had a blast.

Tomorrow we all plan on crossing over to the Bahamas were the two crews can take up their friendship and trade the dog park for a beach. Stay tuned - this will be Dylan and Dee Dee's greatest adventure!

The Vero Beach Dog Park!!!!

The crew on aCappella has been to dozens of dog parks. It's one of the amenities we consider when choosing where to stop. The biggest problem is finding one close by. Often they require transportation, like the one we visited in Cocoa Beach, or a very long walk.

There are a few places were the park is right near the marina or anchorage. Vero Beach has been a favorite of the crew going all the way back to Tucker.  Dyna and Dylan spent many hours there in the past. We're been so often we've developed ongoing friendships including Jim Welles who had Dyna and Dylan to his house on more than one occasion for a swim.

We met Jim and his lab Duke over 5 years ago at what was then an informal dog park. It was a large field near the Vero Beach City Marina where dogs and their people met each day. Even though it was far back from the road, no fence meant everyone had to be vigilant. Residents would bring water for the dogs to drink. It was open to the river so our water loving canines often found their way in, not always with good results.

About a year ago Jim told us about plans to make it into a real dog park. Jim, along with others, formed Friends of the Vero Beach Dog Park and began raising money and getting support from the community. We were excited and couldn't wait to return and see what they had done.

We just spent three days at the Vero Beach City Marina and this is the best dog park the crew has seen, bar none. The first thing we noticed was the size. It is huge! 3-4 times the size of any dog park we have been to. The picture above was taken standing in the center - the fence is just before the yellow building. Now imagine that all the way around. Not only does it facilitate lots of running and exercise, it prevents those doggie squabbles that can erupt when confined to a smaller space.

Everything about it is just right with lots of doggie bag stations and trash cans scattered about, beautiful canvas awnings with chairs to shade dogs and people, doggie water fountains, tons of balls and Frisbees and tug toys donated by owners, there's even memorial pavers at the entrances to help raise funds. The park runs solely from donations.

And of course lots of dogs. Friendly dogs and friendly owners are everywhere. 40-50 dogs on the two beautiful days and even 20 or so when it was windy and rainy.

 

Dylan and Dee Dee loved it. Dylan made a special friend, Winchester.

While Dee Dee was the social butterfly making the rounds.

Every once in a while they would stop to catch their breath but then a ball got thrown or a dog trotted by and they were off.

Our mooring was nearest the shore, right next to the dog park. So Dylan and Dee Dee got to enjoy the park even when they weren't there. From the bow the kids could hear the barks, see friends through the trees, and I'm sure smell the doggy aroma. Dee Dee would look across and think, "Heck, I could swim that." We couldn't even look at the dinghy without pandemonium breaking out on the cockpit. It's clear we'll have to make this a stop when heading back north.

Mom and Dad certainly enjoyed watching the kids play and meeting other dog parents. But the real reward - two tired out crew members means a quiet, peaceful night. I bet they're dreaming about the dog park...

Time to Move

Over the years we've developed a cruising style that works well for us and our crew.  It balances our desire to seek out new places, keep up with the business of running ActiveCaptain, and ensure our crew remains properly spoiled. We always try to visit new places or places we haven't been to in a while and typically select a few spots to hang for a spell.

We're just finishing up 2 months at Cocoa Village Marina and have mixed feeling about heading out. We've found that staying somewhere for a month or so allows us to really gain a feel for place, finding our favorite places to eat and discovering what there is to do. It lets Dylan and Dee Dee fall into a routine and if you've ever shared your life with dogs you know they love a routine.

They know the best times to sit on the bow and watch, what time we setup the ramp for their afternoon walk, and when we sit on the cockpit for lunch. In the past couple of weeks, they've even learned what times the two Labs down the way come past on their walk. Dee Dee thinks they look a bit suspicious and leads the assault that has kept them from attacking us. What a good team!

But it is time to move on. We have a few more places to go before we begin waiting for the weather window to cross over to the Bahamas in mid-February.

Cocoa has been great but this crew has other places to explore. Besides, they hear the new dog park in Vero Beach is not to be missed and the only thing better than a good dog park is treats. Everybody knows that!