The weather has just been wonderful, hasn’t it? There have been no storms or overly strong winds to contend with, as we’ve sailed along the coastline. Not only that but it’s been warm enough that I went ahead and set up a little pool on deck. Now the little ones might have somewhere to cool off. It’s even big enough for us adults to sit around the edge and dip our feet in.

We’ve a good distance yet to travel, and if we were to stop every time someone wanted to swim, it’d take til next summer to get to where we want to go. Besides, once we move inland it’s going to be slow going, as the ship cannot travel as quickly upriver as it can upon the sea. There’ll be plenty of playtime about the river, as we move further inland.

Not only have I set up the pool, but there’s a cooking class going on in the galley. Mini-Wiwohka is teaching everyone how to make edible flower arrangements with pieces of fruit. I’ve never done that before, but it sounds really fun. It brings a whole new meaning to playing with our food, lol.

Oh, I also brought along bags of planting soil, and some empty containers, as well as, seeds for different flowers. I thought it might be fun to plant them and see how fast they grow while we’re traveling. I always wondered if things could grow faster than normal while sailing, since the water makes the sun seem so much brighter out here. We can build flower boxes above deck, and place them out of the way, along the sides of the railings. Call it science, if you will…

I don’t know about any of you, but I certainly didn’t get to sleep in this morning.

I was unceremoniously roused from my slumber long before the sun was fully up. Now that I think about it, you were up early, as well. I guess Squagon has been visiting everyone during the wee hours before dawn.

I didn’t realize he’d be this relentless!

Please accept my apologies for the early morning disruption from our resident squirrel. It never occurred to me that he might decide to continually wake us all at the crack of dawn, each morning. Even though the ship is constantly moving, and we are steadily heading in the right direction, I suspect that he’s worried we’ll miss spotting the proper place to turn inland.

I can’t say that I blame the anxious squirrel, can you? It’s been over a year since he’s seen any of his family. He doesn’t even know if either of the valleys still exist, nor if any of his kin are still alive. Since I’m not even sure if this journey will be successful, I’ve no way to reassure him of their safety, unless we can find them.

Brutus has been flying up and down along the coast, hoping to spy the inlet drawn upon his map. Once he finds it, he’ll return with news. Until then, all that’s left for us to do is to try and distract the forlorn little squirrel. I can’t imagine what it must be like for Squagon, not knowing what may come.

Oh, well! There’s nothing to do but sail onward.

And while we do all the sailing that has to be done, there should be plenty of things to do around the ship, right?!

Baking, crafting, gardening, swimming… and, I almost forgot to tell you that Eustace and Creed installed a huge movie entertainment center, just off the galley. Starting tonight, we’ll be showing the entire Pirate’s of the Caribbean series, just for the fun of it. Actually, it was Nugget’s idea! I’m almost certain that she has a crush on Johnny Dep…

Well, I’m off to my cabin to look over the chart notes and coordinates for that river we’re looking to find. Brutus should be returning anytime soon with word on how much further it is.

There’s a barrel on deck, filled with gardening tools if you’ve the desire to get started with the flowers. I’ll join you as soon as I’ve finished my paperwork, and look over the menu for tonight’s dinner.

I think Mini-Wiwohka is making Brown Sugar Burgers and waffle fries, but I want to check before promising you anything that can’t be delivered.

If any of you want to try your hand at dessert, have at it! Everything you’ll need should be in the galley.