Our 30 hour road trip led us to our first stop in Virginia. Nick’s parents have a house on the lake so we were really excited to see how the pups took to all the activities that come with lake life.
Warning: This post will be picture overload!
In the back yard of the house, they have a nifty little beach area. This was pyrfect for helping to keep the pups in one place. As you can see, the beach is surrounded by a rock ‘wall’. There are stairs entering the beach so Mauja and Atka could easily exit, but it helped teach them boundaries.
I’m not going to lie, Mauja and Atka decided to try to go on a few adventures. For the most part, they would stay on the beach or go over to the dock. A few times, they thought it would be an excellent idea to explore the area and other docks.
The majority of the time, we were able to shake the Bravo treat bag to get them to come back to us (or pause long enough to grab them).
Atka loves to swim. When we’d let him go to the lake, he would run right into the water and start swimming around. He wouldn’t be going after a toy or to a location, just swimming laps. It was absolutely adorable.
At one point, we decided to go out on the boat without the pups to go wakeboarding and skiing. Mauja and Atka stayed behind because it wouldn’t really be safe for them to join. My mother-in-law decided to stay on the dock with the pups.
Not too long after we got going, Nick heard some screaming and thought we should head back to see what the commotion was about.
Atka had jumped off the dock and came swimming after us. Apparently, he swam about 100 yards until he lost sight of us and decided it would be best to turn back around. We turned the boat around so Nick could get Atka.
Nick made sure Atka got back to the beach safely. Mauja and Atka certainly are protective of their ‘flock’.
Holding onto collars was not optional every time the boat came by the dock. They really were upset every time we left ๐
Jumping in the water without Atka would not be tolerated! He made sure to jump in after us every time.
The most amazing part of the trip was when Mauja decided to try to swim! Well, I don’t think she meant to try. Mauja decided it would be a great idea to jump off the dock. She had never tried to swim before so I panicked. Her swimming wasn’t pretty at the beginning, but over the next few days she got much more comfortable! She really enjoyed fetching the noodles ๐
They loved getting their zoomies out on the beach. We had to make sure we sent them back in the water to get the sand out!
We took the pups out on their first boat ride and they absolutely loved it! They enjoyed having the wind in their faces and getting to enjoy all of the new smells.
After a long day of swimming, boating, and playing, relaxing in the sun was just what they needed ๐
Check back in a few days to see how part two of our trip goes! I have so many pictures from this trip, so expect to keep seeing more!
Great pictures! Looks like they had a blast! That’s Smith Mountain Lake, isn’t it? I recognize the house in the background, haha! My in-laws also have a house there! Sadly, Buster doesn’t enjoy the water as much as your pups do, and he will only get near it with his life jacket on (maybe he is just really smart? lol!)
It is Smith Mountain Lake! I can’t believe you recognized it ๐ I’m going to say that Buster is just really smart ๐
Looks like so much fun. After our trip to Big bear, I know what you mean about Mauja – that’s kind of what happened to Jack – say let me walk on this water…ooops. Beautiful pics, house, lake – what fun. Makes me want a vacation.
I’m sure Jack was not amused!
OMDog! Great pics! Mom usually ties us to really long ropes so we can only swim out so far at the lake. They are quite a pair, can’t wait to see what else you’ll be up to! Enjoy!!
We had the long leads just in case! They were both too clingy to go too far into the water ๐
Looks like a really fun time. I understand why your dogs kept swimming after you. We had a dog who jumped in the pool any time she saw any of us splashing. She felt she had to join in–or save us. We never really knew.
Wags (and purrs) Life with Dogs and Cats
I really wish we were able to tell which one it is!
Oh wow!!!! Looks and sounds like you all had a ton of fun!!! Love your photos, and I think it is just adorable how they tried to follow you every time you left the dock!
แฆ husky hugz แฆ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
They’re cute like that ๐
Wow! Looks like the pyrs absolutely loved that stop! I wish I could say my dogs love to swim…But one problem! I have no dogs!! And..I don’t think any amount of treats or persuasion would get my cats into the water…Yeah, I don’t think that would go so well! What do you think?
MOL!
โSiamese Smothers and Tuxie Ticklesโ from Mikko and Jax at Happiness is Siamese!
Hahaha! Now THAT would be a sight!
I absolutely LOVE your dogs!! I am a huge Newfie Fan so I am thrilled with all of these giant breed dogs! Your pictures are awesome!! Safe travels!
Newfies are awesome! We would love to have one eventually ๐
How fun is that! So glad they went along and got to experience life at the lake too!
Now I don’t think we can ever go without them!
I like the ride on a boat! Even Easy would be there with you although he is not a fan of water. Have a super labor day weekend!
Maybe Easy can vacation with us next time? ๐
30 hours holy cow, I bet they did need to go to the beach and get some energy out. Lovely photos and great time.
They really did. I’ve never seen them so active!
What a great time! My dogs would be beside themselves if they got to spend time at a lake! I love all the photos.
All that swimming. Brown dawgs would love that. ๐ Looks like you all had a great time.
Love this post! I personally live on the east coast and these pics made me happy and reminiscent as we near the end of summer <3