The Passenger I Always Pack For: Golf Cart Coastal Edition
Boat days changed the moment my dog Ninja started coming with me.
She may be a Potcake from Turks and Caicos, but that doesn't mean I can simply bring her along and hope for the best.
If we're spending the day on the water, I pack for her before I pack for myself.
Not because she's high maintenance.
Because I've learned that when she's comfortable, everyone has a better day.
That's become one of my favorite little routines before we untie the lines.
The first thing I grab isn't my sunglasses.
It's Ninja's life jacket.
Even though she's a confident swimmer, the life jacket isn't optional. It gives me a secure handle if I ever need to help her back into the boat, makes her easier to spot in the water, and lets me relax knowing she's safe while she's exploring every corner of the boat.
Ninja would happily spend the entire day chasing birds, watching dolphins, and supervising everyone on board.
The problem is, she rarely knows when to stop.
Once we settle in at a sandbar, I set up her elevated cot with the canopy. It gives her a cool place to rest that's off the hot sand and catches whatever breeze we can find. Plus, it’s super compact and easy to carry when it’s folded up.
More often than not, she eventually wanders over, curls up underneath it, and takes the nap she didn't know she needed.
Boat days and North Carolina summers don't mix without plenty of water.
The night before we head out, I fill the bottom third of an insulated gallon jug and freeze it. Before we leave, I top it off with fresh water.
That little habit keeps her water cold for hours—even in the middle of the afternoon.
It's one of those tiny routines that makes a surprisingly big difference.
I always pack two insulated bowls.
One is only for water.
One is only for food.
It's simple, but it means I can offer her water whenever she needs it without constantly rinsing out the same bowl or wondering which one I used last.
Sometimes the smallest systems end up being the most useful.
If Ninja had her way, she'd run every minute we're off the dock.
After enough excitement, though, she needs a reason to slow down.
Pork Chomps have quietly become part of our routine because they encourage her to settle into the shade, catch her breath, and recharge before she's ready for another adventure.
It turns out they're good for both of us.
The Routine That Stayed
I don't really think about packing these things anymore.
They've simply become part of the routine.
Life jacket.
Cold water.
Shade.
Two bowls.
A favorite chew.
Then we untie the lines.
Ninja claims her spot at the front of the boat, the breeze picks up, and another day on the water begins.
Because every boat day is better when your first mate is ready for the adventure too. -LME
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