Walter on the Boat

Soon after we arrived back on island, our fickle old boat decided to stop working. At this point, I'm not even sure what was wrong with it. But we got it fixed last week, and Walter got to take his maiden voyage Saturday evening. Brent and I didn't want to go for a long ride, we just wanted to make sure the boat was still working. So we decided to cruise around the canals and bring Walter along. I figured a nice slow ride would be a good way to get him acclimated. And I must say he looked adorable in his little doggy life jacket!


Overall I think Walter did really well on the boat. He seemed a little wary and did a lot of exploring. But he mostly stood up front and looked out at the horizon. First mate Walter!


Proud parents


He seemed ok aboard the boat, but he was also very excited to get out once we docked!


After church on Sunday, we took the boat out again with Jeremy, Sheena, Jenn and Nate. Walter was ready to go!


We went first to Stingray Sandbar. I just can't get enough of this blue water!


Brent's favorite thing to do on island. Look how happy he is!


Walter stayed in boat at the sandbar and was a very good dog. I was worried he might be overly curious with the stingray, but he wasn't at all interested. Maybe he didn't realize they were animals.

After hanging out with the stingrays, we headed to Rum Point. Walter had to swim to land, and he was NOT happy! He tried to swim back to the boat ladder but couldn't get up. It was really pathetic. Ultimately Brent ended up carrying him. I guess we just have to accept we don't have a water pup.


Once we waded to shore, we found out that dogs are only allowed on a tiny corner of the beach, way back by the street. We got drinks and lined up on a log in the dog-friendly area. I wish I had brought my camera - it was pretty comical!

Fun day. I hate to say it, but we once again had to get towed back to our dock. How embarrassing. Still not sure what the problem is - it's very unusual for an engine to cut out while you are running it. Ah, the life of a boat owner.

On a unrelated note, I got my hair cut! It feels so much better to have it shorter, but it's just as unruly as ever. I'm resigned to daily ponytails. This picture was taken just after straightening it, and before stepping outside. It didn't stay like this for long - but at last I could take a picture to show the new length!

Art@Governors

Last Saturday was Grand Cayman's annual art festival, Art@Governors. In the parking lot of Governor's Square, there were a bunch of local artist selling paintings, photography, jewelry, carvings, and other art. And then inside the Governor's garden there were artwork displays from each of the schools on island. Our friend Sheena is a teacher and told us about the event Saturday morning, so we decided to walk over together. I'm so glad we went - it was a really fun event!

We started out at Governor's Square with Walter, then tried to get into the Governor's garden but were turned down by security (little dogs only, apparently). Brent offered to walk Walter back to the apartment and then meet us inside, but after 5 minutes I realized I had the keys in my pocket. So Sheena and I headed back as well, which turned out to be a good thing because I got to pick up my camera.

These pictures are inside the Governor's garden, which is actually where the Governor of Grand Cayman lives. It was neat to go into the gated yard and walk right beside his beach-front house.


We happened upon some hermit crab racing and joined in the next round. Everyone picks a hermit crab (they have numbers on the back) and they are all dumped in the center of a big circle of sand. The first one to make it to the grass wins!


We have a winner!


This hermit crab was the biggest by far - the guy said he was 40 years old!


There were drummers playing fun island music, and these two adorable girls dancing in front. So cute!


Brent and Sheena drinking lemonade and admiring the artwork


As much as I love spending the day at the beach and pool, it's fun to have these events to mix things up. I look forward to going again next year!

News from the Home Front

Brent got a call on Wednesday from our renter, Heather. She's always incredibly nice, but it's usually not a good sign if she's calling so I immediately tense up. Apparently one of the trees in the backyard fell on our neighbor's garage. Uh oh.


Brent checked our renters insurance and it seemed like this sort of thing would be covered so we were somewhat relieved. Later that day we found out that we couldn't even file a claim, that it was the neighbor's responsibility since it was their property. I feel so bad that the neighbors have to deal with this, but they are being really nice about the whole thing. Luckily their insurance is covering everything. We really dodged a bullet with that one! I am incredibly relieved, especially considering we just had to replace the furnace in our house. I'm also having major deja-vu. It was about this time last year that we found out our gutters needed $25K of repairs. The joys of being a home-owner apparently don't stop when you move to another country. Oh winter, you sure are trouble.

Here are the pictures our neighbors took from their upstairs window:


Whoa.

Saturday (Walter) Pictures

Brent had to go into work for an hour on Saturday, so I decided to take Walter on a little photo adventure. I've never taken photography classes, but I figure the more pictures you take, the better you'll get. I intended to get some nice foliage shots, but I only got this one flower picture before it turned into a Walter photoshoot. Oh well, I tried.


These are all taken by the boat docks at Lime Tree Bay. I realize now they would have been much better if I had taken off his scary pinch collar.


Wait, that wasn't Walter. How did a tree get in here? Sorry about that. Back to the dog.


When Brent got back we decided to take a walk on the beach. I made him take a couple shots of me and Walt before we headed out.


It started out as a nice overcast day, but the sun came out before we got too far!


When we got back, we ate lunch on the table outside our apartment. This is one tired and sandy pup!


We always brush Walter down before we head inside, but you just can't get it all. I love the ring of sand around his eye in the next pictures.


You can't tell, but yes, we do (occasionally) cut his toenails.


Sigh.

Tim-Buc-Tuu

It was Brent's turn to pick our date night last Tuesday. He choose TripAdvisors #2 Grand Cayman Restaurant, Tim-Buc-Tuu. I've seen this little diner a couple times on our way to AlFresco or the Turtle Farm. I didn't know much about it, but figured they must be doing something right to be so high on the list.


We started out with a strawberry banana smoothie, which was so delicious! The night was off to a good start.


We split a cup of roasted tomato and veggie soup with homemade bread. When I saw the size of our entrees, I realized we probably didn't need the appetizer. Brent got the fried grouper and I got chicken fried rice. We both brought home leftovers!


This is completely unrelated, but I had to share these next two pictures. Walter is generally exhausted at night. I love to see the funny ways he falls asleep. I call this one "so close, but yet so far."


Silly dog. We sure love having him on island!