Looking Back

Today we have 16 days left here on the island. It is so bitter sweet. I'm excited to be in the states again and around family, but I'm really struggling with leaving. This island has become such a huge part of our lives. We had our first home together, we got our two beautiful puppies, we got engaged, and on top of that we have met some of the most amazing people here.  I also feel like I have grown here so much. I hope that the humbleness I learned here, I carry it with me for years to come and don't just fall back into being a spoiled American. It makes me sad to think of leaving for good. This is home for us now. 

I know that the next chapter will be just as great as this one, and I am looking forward to the journey that is ahead, its just hard to let go of this. We have already promised ourselves to come back and visit in a few years. I'm really truly going to miss Dominica and all the memories I have made here. Even in spite of the fact that the power and internet go out and the brown water when it rains and the large scary centipedes, I will always look back with fond memories.

 A group of us went to Victoria Falls yesterday

 So fun!

 I love that we can be adventurous together!

 The beautiful view from our favorite restaurant/bar De Champ

 Aaron and I at the Sunday evening dinner at De Champ

Meeka's Kennel came in, so I had to get in again, Meeka must have grown quite a bit more because this time it was much more cramped!

Getting the girls kennels ready to fly

 I'm going to miss having fresh coconut to drink and eat!

We went to dinner at Red Rock Haven with Kelsey and Jordan. 

We love them!

This was THE BEST meal I have ever eaten in my life!

The love of my life

homemade avocado masks! We had a girls spa and wine night, it was soooo fun!

Some of the girls put together a bachelorette party for Kelsey, she was so surprised.

Aaron and I at Emerald Pool

This was from the RSO farewell banquet. They give awards to the people who are leaving the island and my award was "most likely to have their first child underwater while scuba diving" I thought that was pretty funny! 

This is where we go every Friday night for ribs. SOOOOOO yummy!

The LOOOOOOONG Road Ahead.....

Stress has been high here in the Robertson-Sliter household the last couple weeks. We are learning that August-September is NOT a good time to leave the island with pets. Getting them off the actual island and to Miami is not a problem because they will be flying Amerijet, a pressurized, airconditioned cargo jet. They will leave here and maybe go to a couple other islands then off to Miami where we will meet them.

     Note: if you know me, I'm sure you know these pups are my entire world, soooo....ummm.... yes, I am freaking out a bit at the thought of not being with them for 10-??? who knows how many hours of their journey home. Unfortunately this is the only reliable, and safe option for us :(


The only "problem" with Amerijet is that the flight is not confirmed until the day before, and they only fly on Tuesdays. So our flight off the rock is Tuesday August 24th. We will not know for sure if the dogs can, for sure, get on their plane, or if the plane is even coming that Tuesday, until Monday the 23rd. And as always with any flight, it's weather-pending. It is Hurricane season here in good 'ol Dominica... Luckily all we have had is a lot of rain and a couple tropical storms... Keep your fingers crossed for us that the weather stays like this!

Miami is where the real problem lies. American airlines along with every other american airline WILL NOT fly pets out of Miami, August- September. Period. End of story. No exceptions. In fact the only air line we found that would fly them, was Air Canada, but if we use them, we have to fly to Toronto then to Chicago then to Cedar Rapids.

SOOO.....drumroll please......... we will be driving from Miami to Iowa.


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1,503 miles, approximately 24 hours. With 4 suitcases, two huge kennels, and two scared puppies. Its going to be a long, tiring journey home. However, we can't wait to see you all and are very excited about coming home! We are planning on getting to Iowa on the 26th sometime. See you then!!!!!!!