Well, we boated from Nanaimo to Newcastle Island
Way back in September, we decided to take our little friend out on the boat! We sailed all the way to Newcastle Island and back to Nanaimo.
Leading up to Setting Sail
We had many discussions about this, and I went back and forth so much because I always have flashes of thoughts that are so terrible and sad that I can’t really deal with the idea of them. I’ve learned though, considering the worst does help you plan and prepare for it.
Anyway, Random Guy promised everything would be okay, so we did it!
In the Suburban
We grabbed Stinky’s lifejacket and piled into the Suburban. He meowed a little in protest but was mostly quiet. The Suburban is loud, and I can’t tell if he’s so afraid that he’s quiet or if he actually prefers it to the car. We took our time unloading the boat, knowing we had to be patient with Zero. Random Guy did most of the work while I sat with Zero and got his lifejacket on him.
Into the Ocean
I gave him a pep talk and a big hug. Random guy took Zero in the Suburban to park and came back with a neon green vest filled with poofy fur and big black eyeballs. He held him close as he walked across the dock and stepped seamlessly onto the deck of the boat. I snapped this photo and smiled. Zero’s tail was poofy, but he was curious.
Random Guy started the motor and we were off! Zero clamored around inside the boat, peeking out the small windows on his meercat legs. He was concerned. I kept a close eye on him. I held him out to show him the outside a couple times. He was a bit confused by the wake of the water, and I think the motion as well. The water was quite calm but I understood his qualms. He has never seen so much water all in one place like this.
We made our way from the Nanaimo boat launch by the Departure Bay ferries, to Newcastle Island, a small island nearby. This is a short trip. I think it takes our boat about 20 minutes to get over there.
Arriving at Newcastle Island
When we docked, we found a small space to tie up. The boat tapped the dock as we came in. We didn’t realize it until we were leaving, but this tap was what lead to the following paragraph.
As we got ready to go for a short walk and give Zero a break, we realized that we couldn’t find him. I looked all through the interior of the boat. Random Guy came to look. We both knew he didn’t leave the boat but it was so odd that he had chosen to hide. He was way back behind some storage bins at the back. Random Guy was able to convince him to come out.
We hopped off the boat, cat in hand. The dock was a bit of a party. There were people of their boats having dinner and socializing. Lots of laughing and sounds. Zero was even more afraid here. He started yowling as Random Guy carried him to land.
A gruff looking man grumbled about how he was a weird looking dog. I responded, “He bites”. Zero let out another objection and we creaked along the docks, up the ramp and across the boardwalk onto the grass.
On Solid (Is)land
Zero insisted that home must be in the opposite direction of all that water. He was walking with a purpose, pulling on the leash and hustling forward. He ushered us to the big red building where they hold events and there’s a restaurant at the end. We walked around there for a while until we decided it was time to go home.
Heading Home
Zero was much better walking back to the boat and on the way back to Nanaimo he laid as a good lump on the bed at the front of the boat. He seemed a little annoyed but I think he really learned a lot.
Final Thoughts
With every adventure, he grows more and more flexible with new things. He really is expanding his mind. I think he’s young enough to handle these things and we see how it impacts his daily attitude.
What should we do for our next adventure?
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