j. marsha michler

Gil & Marsha Cruise 2006

Dog smells perfumey!!! She was in doggy day care while the rest of her pack went to the Caribbean on a cruise. Our ship was the Westerdam, and we set off from Ft. Lauderdale for seven days. It was a "blues cruise" and we ate and ate and ate and listened to music, music, music.

Leaving and returning to Florida took place in gale-force winds and cool temps, but in-between were all warm days and nights.

Our stops were in Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Cayman Islands, and Belize. In Jamaica we rode horses up, and then down a mountainside while learning about the local vegetation, sugar cane and rum making history, and farming in this tropical rain forest. Sights were lush and beautiful, and after the mountain we rode the horses into the ocean.

The Mexican stop was Costa Maya, where we rode a bus to a nearby fishing village and there ate local foods and gawked at the colorful displays of handcrafteds.

In Belize we snorkeled over a coral reef teeming with brilliantly colored fish. It was awesome. Then we went kayaking, great fun too. Partying on the catamaran on the way back was assisted by a large supply of rum punch.

Music on board included Corey Harris, Taj Mahal, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rod Piazza, Tab Benoit, Deanna Bogart, and others. In addition to performances were jams, both pro and amateur. And, wonderful sounds happened at the piano bar.

Back to dog and why she smells perfumey. Her caretakers run a doggie b&b and they also do grooming. Cassie took an interest in the grooming, and upon being invited to jump up onto the table, did so. Well, she got a nice complimentary brushing and her toenails trimmed. She was invited into the home of her caretakers and even slept with the caretaker guy one night.

So, all went well and the pack is back.

Corey Harris