By Land & By Sea

The bee is not afraid of me,
I know the butterfly;
The pretty people in the woods
Receive me cordially.
The brooks laugh louder when I come,
The breezes madder play.
Werefore, mine eyes, thy silver mists?
Werefore, O summer's day.

By Emily Dickinson

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It's not yet summer here in Juneau, but a recent warm sunny day
made me think it was! It was so nice outside that it seemed a crime to stay cooped up indoors, so off Greta and I went on a walk!

I must admit, the trail leading down to the beach was extra muddy from all the rain we've had and my boot was almost swallowed whole by a puddle. But thankfully we made it through unscathed, though Greta was certainly looking more brown and black than white and black...

I took my trug down with me in the hopes that some early wild flowers would be growing, and to my excitement there were! I picked a whole basket full, with even some very early purple lupin finding its way in. I had to be careful with my trug though, Greta kept eating my flowers!

 Sunny days in Juneau are surely something special. 

The mountains are a deep blue, the ocean flats are just starting to break forth into their green spring coat, and wild corgis roam free!

I think Greta was having a little too much fun down on the flats. She was covered in mud when we got back to the house! But it wasn't the right time to give her a bath, because we had something extra fun planned for that afternoon...

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Later that day we decided to take the family boat out for it's first maiden voyage of the year! My father-in-law Paul had been working hours and hours to get the boat all ready. Painting and fixing and more painting! But once we got in the boat and started flying through the water in the sunshine he said, "It's all worth it." and we all agreed with him!

This was Greta's first time in a boat out at sea. We're not quiet sure how she liked it because she wanted to sleep for most of the time. Quinn thinks it's just like riding in the car for her {"Except with more room and lost of fresh air", he explained}. He's probably right, but she sure did have fun helping dad drive the boat!

Can you say "Awwwwwwwwww!"

I simply can't get over how cute she is...

(unless she's digging up mom's garden, then I forget really quick!)

We did have a mission on this first boat trip: Melissa had instructed us all to bring back some flat rocks for the garden paths she has planned. Someday soon we'll be able to frolic barefoot on pretty paths all through the yard!

I do believe it was Greta who first saw the beach covered in flat rocks, sounding off with a happy bark as she looked out the window.

Yep, those rocks look perfect for pretty garden paths!
Though...maybe a bit too big for the boat?

Even though there were five of us {plus a puppy} in the boat, we were still able to load up several big rocks to take home to mother - making her very happy indeed!

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 Don't be fooled by Laura wearing a heavy coat and winter hat in this photo. It was gloriously warm out! 

She was recently down in California and I think she got spoiled by the heat there. 

Abigail picked some lovely Forget-Me-Knots on the beach.

From Emily's poetry book:
Purple and blue, 
forever true, 
to only you, 
my love.

Hopefully the forget-me-knots will help us to remember the wonderful day we had, and the breathtaking views we saw on the long way home: