Today, our journey continues with a new co-pilot, Mocha Teal, alongside Tilly and the cherished memory of Dakota, who too has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Together, we continue to travel the highways and byways of this wonderful nation.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
I know some of you are probably thinking, "This has to be AI-generated."
Well, you would be both right and wrong.
Yes, I use AI to help organize my thoughts, improve my grammar, and occasionally keep my stories from wandering completely off the rails. But the experiences, observations, successes, failures, and adventures involving Mocha Teal are very real.
The Land Shark is real. Now onto the rest of the story.
Well, for one thing, she is a fast learner.
Her training is doing wonders. Not necessarily for my hands, jeans, or shoes, but definitely for her.
Every day, Mocha Teal seems to pick up something new. Sometimes I think she understands more than she lets on. Other times, I'm convinced she simply chooses which commands fit her agenda for the day.
Training sessions typically last between five and ten minutes, twice a day. In puppy terms, that translates to approximately two cups of kibble and whatever patience I have left in the treat pouch.
The amazing thing is how quickly she learns when food is involved.
Sit?
No problem.
Down?
Got it.
Come?
Usually.
Leave it?
We're still negotiating that contract.
In addition to her formal training sessions, there are countless mini-lessons throughout the day. Every walk, every feeding, every trip outside, and every interaction becomes an opportunity to reinforce good behavior.
Of course, there is one small complication.
Play lessons.
Play lessons can bring out the beast.
One moment we are having a wonderful game of fetch, tug, or chase. The next moment, the VelociLab Puptor emerges from deep within the Chocolate Lab.
The eyes get wider.
The tail gets faster.
The ears disappear.
And suddenly, every object within reach becomes fair game.
This is usually followed by what I now recognize as "puppy overload."
When that happens, it can take anywhere from five to fifteen minutes for Mocha to settle herself back down before we can continue with anything productive.
A month ago, I would have assumed she needed more exercise.
Now I know better.
Many times, what she really needs is a chance to calm her racing puppy brain.
The challenge is that Mocha has absolutely no interest in admitting she is tired.
In fact, she seems convinced that the solution to being overstimulated is to become even more stimulated.
It is a strategy that has never worked for her.
Yet she continues to try it daily.
Fortunately, I am learning to recognize the signs.
The good news is that as her training progresses, the sweet, intelligent Labrador is showing up more often.
The VelociLab Puptor is still there.
As you can see in this video:
She still makes surprise appearances.
She still conducts unauthorized inspections of shoes, socks, and anything else left unattended.
But little by little, the puppy is learning.
And little by little, so am I.
The truth is, training a Labrador puppy is not really about teaching the dog.
It's about teaching the human how to recognize when the dog is ready to learn—and when the VelociLab Puptor has taken over the controls.
One of the most surprising things I have learned is just how much sleep a Labrador puppy actually requires.
In real terms, Mocha Teal needs nearly 20 hours of sleep every day.
Think about that for a moment.
There are only 24 hours in a day.
That leaves just four hours for eating, training, playing, exploring, chasing leaves, stealing socks, inspecting shoes, and generally conducting Land Shark operations.
To help manage this, we try to divide her day into roughly three awake periods of about an hour to an hour and a half each.
When she wakes up, we go outside, do some training, have a little play time, explore the world, and burn off some energy.
Then it's back to sleep.
At first, this seemed excessive.
How could a puppy sleep that much?
The answer is simple.
She is growing.
Her body is growing.
Her brain is growing.
And every new experience is processing somewhere inside that little chocolate head.
What I have discovered is that when Mocha misses one of those naps, the VelociLab Puptor begins to emerge.
The biting increases.
The listening decreases.
The zoomies intensify.
Decision-making becomes questionable.
Actually, decision-making disappears entirely.
Imagine a three-year-old child after skipping a nap and drinking a soda.
Now give that child four legs, sharp teeth, and the athletic ability to jump across the RV.
That is the VelociLab Puptor.
The funny thing is that when she is well rested, she is a remarkably smart puppy. She learns quickly, responds well, and genuinely wants to work with us.
When she is overtired, however, all bets are off.
At that point, the training session is over, the crate door closes, and mandatory nap time begins.
Usually within minutes she is asleep, proving once again that the problem was never a lack of exercise.
The problem was that the Land Shark desperately needed to recharge her batteries.
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