Continuing the Journey

 Continuing Our Journey with Mocha Teal

Where are we now, and where have we been?

After leaving the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park Campground, we pointed Gus south toward the Tennessee River. On Monday afternoon, July 6th, we rolled into Sherwood Acres, Josh's little piece of paradise along the Tennessee River.

The day started with one small problem—or maybe not so small.

Our generator wasn't working.

We were hoping that the weather would be on our side, and with about a seven-hour drive ahead of us, we hoped we could make it comfortably without needing it. Sometimes that's what RV life is all about: making the best of what you have and trusting that things will work out. However another lesson learned.

As always, Josh greeted us with a big smile and open arms. It felt good to pull into a place where you're not just another camper—you feel like family.

The plan was simple.

Stay put for a few days.

Wait for an important package to arrive.

And most importantly, reconnect with someone we hadn't seen in many years—our dear friends Greg Kelsoe and Piper.

2 alfa's mated and had a rialta

Little did we know that this stop would become one of the most important chapters of our journey with Mocha Teal.

Before I tell you about Greg and Piper, I need to share something a little more personal.

Around this time, I found myself wondering if adopting Mocha had been the right decision.

I wasn't questioning whether I loved her.

I absolutely did.

I was questioning whether I was the right person for her.

She had endless energy. She needed room to run, another dog to teach her the unwritten rules of being a Labrador, and maybe... just maybe... better humans than Susan and me.

I remember talking with Susan about all of it. I was frustrated. Tired. Wondering if I was failing this little chocolate whirlwind that depended on us for everything.

Susan listened quietly, and then she said something I'll never forget.

"You have never given up on anything."

That one sentence stopped me in my tracks.

She was right.

Throughout our lives we've faced mechanical failures, career challenges, family struggles, impossible repairs, and more than a few breakdowns along the side of the road. Every one of them seemed overwhelming at the time, but somehow we always found a way through.

So why was I thinking about giving up now?

The truth was, I wasn't really frustrated with Mocha.

I was frustrated because I hadn't yet learned how to help her become the dog she was capable of being.

There is a difference.

Mocha wasn't broken. Maybe loved Susan's chair

She wasn't stubborn. She can sleep with door open or closed.

She wasn't a bad puppy. She doesn't spend all of her time in jail.

She was simply being exactly what God created her to be—a young Labrador full of curiosity, enthusiasm, and enough energy to power a small city.

The one who needed to learn wasn't Mocha.

It was me.

That conversation with Susan changed everything.

Instead of wondering if we had made the wrong decision, I started asking a different question.

"What does Mocha need from me?"

As it turned out, the answer was about to arrive in the form of two old friends, a quiet place along the Tennessee River, and a few days that would change the course of our journey together.

Sometimes the road takes you exactly where you need to be—not because of the destination, but because of the lessons waiting there.

It was a much better question.

The answer began to unfold over the next several days.

Watching Greg work with Piper was a lesson in itself. There was no yelling, no forcing, and no frustration—just patience, consistency, and trust. Piper became a wonderful role model for Mocha, showing her how to settle down, observe, and simply enjoy being a dog.

Then came a few unforgettable firsts.

Mocha took her very first ride on a four-wheeler, sitting proudly as if she'd been doing it her whole life.

Not long after, thanks to our wonderful host Josh, she experienced her very first boat ride on the Tennessee River. At first she wasn't quite sure what to think, but before long she was taking in the sights, the breeze, and all the new smells that only life on the water can offer.

Thank you, Josh, for giving Mocha another adventure she'll never forget.

Today, July 11th, showed me something even more important.

I could actually see Mocha changing.

She met a beautiful Great Dane that had been trained as a therapy dog. Calm, gentle, and confident, the big dog became another quiet teacher without even trying.

She also met a friendly white Schnauzer named Opel Jean.

As I watched the interactions between Opel Jean, something finally clicked.

Mocha wasn't trying to dominate anyone.

She wasn't an alpha dog at all.

She was simply a submissive puppy looking for guidance from dogs that knew more than she did.

That realization changed the way I looked at her.

She didn't need someone to "control" her.

She needed someone to patiently teach her.

Looking back now, I realize that Sherwood Acres wasn't just another stop on our journey.

It became the place where I stopped trying to change Mocha...

...and started learning how to understand her.

Sometimes, the greatest lessons don't come from books, trainers, or YouTube videos.

Sometimes they come from old friends, new experiences, a peaceful river, and a little chocolate Labrador who has been teaching her humans all along.

Happy Journeys from all of us—until the next stop down the road.

Continuing the Adventures - Part 2

 Rolling into the Kentucky Horse Park Campground felt like a reward for surviving another roadside adventure. Wide campsites, beautiful horses grazing nearby, and the rolling hills of Kentucky reminded us exactly why we travel in the first place.

One of the unexpected blessings of this trip came from our daughter Dana, and her husband Tom. They helped plan our Bourbon Trail adventure, and that turned out to be one of the best parts of the entire journey.

Having taken the time to gather the knowledge made navigating the distilleries, attractions, and back roads much easier, but the real benefit wasn't the itinerary. It was the time we spent together.

You see, most of the time when we visit Dana and Tom, we're at their house. While that's always enjoyable, this trip was different. We were all out exploring together, sharing meals, swapping stories, and experiencing new places side by side. It gave us the opportunity to really spend quality time together and get to know each other on a deeper level.

Some of our best conversations happened while driving between distilleries, sitting around the campground, or simply enjoying a meal after a long day of sightseeing. There were plenty of laughs, a few good-natured debates, and lots of memories created along the way.

Travel has a unique way of bringing people together. Away from the routines of everyday life, you get the chance to slow down, enjoy each other's company, and appreciate friendships that have grown over the years.

The Bourbon Trail was certainly worth the trip, but the time spent with Dana and Tom made the experience even more special. Long after we've forgotten which distillery had the best tasting room or the prettiest grounds, we'll remember the conversations, the laughter, and the fun that made the journey memorable.

List of Distilleries:

Woodford Reserve Distillery
7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles.

Bluegrass Distillery at Elkwood
158 W Leestown Rd, Midway

Buffalo Trace Distillery
113 Great Buffalo Trce, Frankfort

Four Roses Distillery
1214 Bonds Mill Rd, Lawrenceburg

Chicken Cock Whiskey Circa
103 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown

Heaven Hill Bourbon
1311 Gilkey Run Rd, Bardstown

Lexington Brewing & Distilling
401 Cross St, Lexington

RD1 Spirits Distillery
113 Turner Commons Wy Suite 110, Lexington

Barrel House Distilling Co
1200 Manchester St, Lexington

More to Come especially about Mocha Teal.

Still the puppy teeth, along with the nipping . Especially when you least expect it. When that happens, it is easier to remove her and place her back in her crate.

Few minutes later, she remembers why and comes out better. Except when overly tired hungry too much excitement.

Susan, Tilly, Mocha, me and as always Dakota to guide us 

Continuing the Adventures - Part 1

Adventures on the Bourbon Trail – Part 1

Our next adventure would take us to the heart of Kentucky. Our final destination was the Kentucky Horse Park Campground in Lexington, Kentucky—the perfect home base for exploring the famous Bourbon Trail, beautiful horse farms, and everything that makes the Bluegrass State so special.

Of course, if you've been following our travels for very long, you already know one simple truth...

Getting there is half the adventure.

Unfortunately, this journey included another one of those "BOAT" days. (Bring Out Another Thousand.)

As Susan put it best:

"Well darn it, another breakdown. Our two-year-old front passenger-side airbag failed. Finding a replacement was challenging and very expensive, but once again we are rolling. What strikes me is that when we are broken, I've got the best DIY person on board. He was able to troubleshoot and diagnose the problem. I feel badly that he is very limited in who he can call to get help and support when things go wrong. (And yes, he gets as upset and stressed as you do when things go wrong.) We concluded that several big potholes probably destroyed the airbag. They just don't make them like they used to.

Don't expect to find this part sitting on the shelf, even in the Indianapolis area with all of its heavy-duty truck suppliers. Online, the airbag was about $140—but every source was out of stock. We finally located a large Freightliner/RV parts supplier that could overnight one... for over $900! The mobile mechanic arrived well prepared and had everything replaced in about two hours. We were happy to be back on the road... just another BOAT day."

She's right.

No one enjoys unexpected repairs, especially when they happen hundreds of miles from home. RV life has a way of testing both your patience and your wallet. Thankfully, years of turning wrenches and refusing to give up have taught me how to diagnose most problems before calling for help. Sometimes that's enough to save the day. Other times, it's enough to point the mechanic in the right direction and get us back on the road a little faster. While on the way, our generator stopped. You guess it, the belt broke. Fortunate we carry a spare. Even though it is an old one.

Meanwhile, our youngest traveler seemed completely unfazed.

Mocha Teal wasn't concerned about airbags, parts availability, or repair bills. As far as she knew, we had stopped at another exciting place where new smells needed investigating and every passing person was a potential new best friend.

Perhaps there's a lesson in that.

While we humans worried about schedules and repairs, our little chocolate co-pilot reminded us to enjoy the moment. A wagging tail, a short walk, and a few belly rubs made the whole world right again.

Eventually, the repairs were complete, Gus was riding level once more, and we pointed the windshield toward Lexington.

Stay Tune for Part 2

Happy Journeys and Travels

Susan, Tilly, Mocha, me and of course Dakota guiding us until Mocha can take over.

The Adventures of Mocha Teal

Continuing the Saga of Mocha Teal 

How many Days has it been? Sometimes I think it has been  too long but is has only been 48 days, or just a little over 14 weeks since the birth of Mocha teal. Is it true she is only 3 months and 12 days old? 

In the last week Dana, Tom, Susan and I have notice big changes in Mocha. Color of her fur, her lenght, weight and just her body shape.

 

Let's continue with her adventures:

The crate cover is down, the RV is quiet, and Mocha Teal is officially down for the count. As she snoozes away, it is the perfect time to reflect on why this downtime is just as important as the physical exercise. For a high-drive puppy, sleep is when the brain processes all those morning lessons.

Moving her time-out to the new 2’ x 4’ pen on the passenger side has been a total game-changer. Because she can still see us, she learns to settle without feeling isolated, keeping her connected to her pack even during quiet time.

Training the Mind, Not Just the Body

Our refined morning schedule focuses heavily on impulse control. Labradors are notoriously enthusiastic about food, and Mocha is no exception! Her breakfast kibble goes fast, so we are turning mealtime into a mental workout. Rushing, jumping, or barking for food are officially retired however still in process. Now, we practice the "wait" command. Making her slow down before eating, teaches her that patience—not pushiness—is what gets her what she wants.

We are also building her focus through:
The "Look at Me" Game: Teaching her to choose eye contact over distractions.
The Mat Game: Giving her a dedicated place to learn the art of returing to her place with all 4-paws down.
Adding the Release Command. Mastering the exact timing to  say "release". Then follow up with "Yes" and a treat so she knows precisely when she has done a good job.

Velociraptor Wanes, Wardrobes Under Siege!

Speaking of a work in progress, there is finally a light at the end of the puppy teething tunnel! We are thrilled to report that Mocha’s infamous "Velociraptor period" is finally starting to wane (only 3 mths to go). Those razor-sharp puppy teeth are spending a lot less time mouthing our arms, and our daily play sessions are becoming much less painful. Our reflexes are also getting faster. 

However, that typical Labrador puppy energy has to go somewhere. While our arms are finally getting a break, our wardrobe is officially under siege! The second her high-energy switch flips, she goes on a targeted mission. If you are wearing tennis shoes or jeans with a loose cuff, you are instantly her favorite chew toy! We are staying consistent with trading these targets for appropriate toys, but it's a funny, daily reminder that she is still keeping us on our toes.

Tapping Into the Gundog DNA

The most exciting new addition to Mocha’s routine is her whistle recall, channeling the method we used for Dakota. Two short blows on the whistle, followed instantly by a jackpot of high-value treats—no talking required. We are striving for a 5 day a week training schedule.

Because her DNA is packed with pure gundog drive.  Watching her natural instincts kick in is nothing short of amazing. Labradors were bred to be working dogs—high energy, bright, and deeply desiring a close relationship with their humans. Whether she is fetching a ball during her 20 minutes of fun, or automatically sitting down the moment she spots a bird, her drive to serve is truly amazing. 

We still have a long way to go, but structuring her day around her natural traits makes the journey incredibly rewarding. Every command, every walk, and every quiet nap brings us closer to the companion we know she is meant to be.

Stay tuned for more updates from the road as Mocha Teal continues to grow!

Down and out for the Count

Susan, Tilly, Mocha, me and as always Dakota over seeing

Safe Travels and Journeys