Dog Tails. Okay I'm a dog, my name is Sweeney, my dad's name is Bob.
This is the beginning of a tail about our new adventure. Before you go OMG he used the wrong word it should be "tale". I'm a dog! That thing above my butt, my dad calls a tail. So that's all I know!
Dad and I have been in North Carolina about six months. We've done some sailing on the Neuse river but only on nice days. Dad says fair weather sailing and then gets a funny look on his face. Quite a few treats and nights of sleep ago my dad decided to take what he called a navigation class. I don't know why he needed that. My nose can help him find lots of good stuff. Food, a place to go pee and other people to tell you what a handsome dog you are and give you a good scratch!
Anyway dad decides that it's time to move our home somewhere else. I don't understand why we had to leave our home that never moved. When we went out for walks it was always where I left it. This new home is always moving. Especially when the wind blows, then it really moves. At first it was hard to sleep but soon I got used to it moving all the time! Dad left me on the home early in the morning. He came back very disappointed. It seems that fog had set in and we couldn't move our home to where he wanted to go. Later after a good breakfast and a nap, dad decides to leave. He wants to go a little ways down river. A friend decides to go with dad because he's bored and wants to help dad. It's a good thing because I don't think dad knows where he's going. Dad drove our home really well and it was fun. The boat didn't bounce around too much and we made it to a place called River Dunes Marina in about 3 hours. Dads friend Mike help dad learn how to find the place just using a chart , a compass and a pair of binoculars to see places around him. It was awesome! Did I mention this is our first trip anywhere on our home. When we got there dad was very happy because he docked our home without hitting anything including the dock! What a place, lots of new thing to sniff and pee on and lots of new people! A short time later dads friends come by from our old place and celebrate us getting here! There was lots of fun and food!
The next day another of dads friends arrives. Her name is Melinda and she has a little friend named "Abbey" who I like to play with. We run and run together. It so much fun! But she didn't come with her. Dad started the engine and once again the home vibrated and we were off again. This time the ride was not so good. The wind was blowing very hard and the seas were growing very tall. I was shaking and dad didn't know if I was scared or cold. Our home bounced very hard and rocked form side to side so much I could see the water over the side each time it rolled to my side. It was very close! We headed out the creek and out into the river guided by the chart and compass. The river was even rougher but we decided to keep going. Dad told me it would be okay and gave me a hug. I laid down and tried not to think about what was happening. A while later it started to rain and I jumped into dads lap and he wrapped me close to him in his coat to help keep me dry. I love my dad, he's so good to me. conditions got better for a while and my dad even said that it might be a good trip after all. I wish he would keep his mouth shut! because a little while later it started raining again and the wind and waves got worse than before. Dad says that they were 2 to 3 ft high and some were 4 and 5 ft high. all I know is the front of the boat would go really high in the air and come crashing down with a loud bang. He covered me with a large beach blanket and a nylon coat to keep me warm and dry while he was very busy keeping our home on the proper course. An hour later the rain stopped. but the waves didn't. we finally got to the ditch as Melina called it and things calmed down a lot. It was much better. Well protected from the wind and waves. But as soon as we came out of it we were right back into the nasty wind and waves. Melinda was telling dad not to cut the green marker because it was very shallow on the wrong side of it. As soon as we she said that the sailboat ahead of us did just that. I'm getting very tired of bouncing around so much! Dad, are we there yet? After about 8 hours we pull into the new place and there is Abbey waiting for me on the dock to go play! YAAAAAAAY!

It's been a couple of weeks since the Retirement party! It was good to see all the people come to wish me well. I left Denver the following day! it took an hour and a half standing in line just to get the U-Haul truck and car hauler. After loading the Durango on the car hauler. Sweeney and I headed for the storage facility. Two hours later the truck was loaded. Why so long to load just a 5 X 10 storage room onto the truck? Well, I injured my right shoulder somehow loading the Durango. Could barely pick up anything with the right arm! Yes it's healed now, so no long term damage! Fueled up the U-Haul, hence forth to be known as the trusty steed.
Sweeney and I pointed the steed toward the east! My goal to at least make it out of Colorado that day. We finally stopped at Scott City Kansas! The mighty steed is a very thirsty steed! Sweeney and I grabbed a room at the only place that would take dogs. Sweeney would have done better had I not been tagging along. All was not lost, however! As the Vietnamese woman running the place, proceeded to tell about a woman she knows that would make a great wife! Of course this woman she speaks of is in Vietnam and has a teenage child! I would like to point out that I listened carefully and then said, Oh...... I'm still happily single!!!!
The steed, Sweeney and I made our way toward North Carolina. Drove through some very heavy rain storms on the way. I've posted some pictures of portions of this trip.
We arrived Tuesday in New Bern, NC to unload our steed and return it and the car hauler to a local U-Haul. It took me four and one half hours to unload! It was very hot and muggy!! Oh, well!!!!
We're off to Oriental to check in on the boat!

Okay, the plans of a man and a dog. Closed on the house a week ago last Friday. Donna and I spent the evening before, packing and cleaning until midnight. Thank you once again Donna! Sweeney is in a snit! Sold the house right out from under him! Only 3 weeks in a hotel and him and I head to North Carolina. Pooka was picked up by the transport company yesterday so is on it's way to NC. Started a work order with the boat yard to have several thing done for Pooka, after she arrives. We will step the mast and hank on the sails after I arrive. Then into the water. Fall on the east coast! Pictures will follow.

Time slows down for nobody and nothing.
The house is sold and I started giving or selling things that I can't take on the boat. I have some volunteers to store my important things. Thanks, Dad and Mom! I've started the process of picking a marina. Soooooo many great choices to pick from on the east coast. I sent several emails out to some of them. Got answers from two of them so far. I want to be in the Chesapeake bay next spring. But who know how cold it will get in the bay this winter. Am I ready for that.....hmmmmmm. Could be. But, a great marina in North Carolina has an open slip. Whittaker Pointe Marina. Just down the Neuse River from New Bern and close to Oriental. This could be the plan! Sweeney is complaining about not getting a vote. I asked if he was registered with a party. He thinks treats are a party and appears not to need any other kind. Anyway, 45 more days to retirement.

Well it's exactly 4 months to retirement. The house is close to being ready to put on the market. Next I will be doing some upgrades to Pooka. Should be ready to move aboard when i have it shipped eastward. This post will also test the link to Facebook. Excited is a good word to use.

Breezes come and breezes go.
Where the wind blows us we may not know.

Today I went to Dillon lake to meet Bill, who brought Pooka from Buena Vista.
Sweeney and I arrived at seven in the am. Bill was not to Arrive until eight. So off we went to explore Frisco Bay Marina.This end of the lake is the end that has the rivers flowing into it. Hence, is also the shallow end
and the last to fill from winter's snowmelt.
Sweeney, happy to be shot of the truck, bounced out and headed in a random direction at a run.
As we walked along the ground that would soon be covered with water. Sweeney grabs a grading stake. Attempting to flee with it, he is brought up short by a plastic orange ribbon that is tied to the wood and also buried in
the compacted ground. Growling at it, he gets a better grip on it and proceeds to pull harder! It smartly pulls him back and once again he growls even louder. The Schnauzer in him has not given up just yet! He gives it yet another try. The Poodle in him decides that the stick is not worthy of him and prances away, head and tail held high!

It is very late spring in the Colorado high country and the morning air is wonderful but very blustery. A gentle breeze blows with frequent gusts. The temperature is perfect. Attached a picture of the surroundings as will be viewed from Pooka at dockside.
The boat will not go into the water until June 3rd. Next is to step the mast before this date.

Pooka is a 1986 ComPac 27 which has been lovingly cared for by it's previous owners. I've searched for about two years for the right boat.