What Were We thinking

What Were We Thinking?

So… let’s talk about Mocha Teal. Or, as she is more commonly known around DaGirls RV these days, The Land Shark.

For those of you thinking, “A puppy in an RV sounds like fun!” — allow us to provide a small public service announcement.

At approximately 8 weeks old, a chocolate Labrador puppy apparently comes with the following operating instructions:

Sleep:
Requires 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day for healthy growth and development. Sounds wonderful, right? The catch is they somehow manage to fit all their chaos into the few hours they are actually awake.

Biting:
Currently experiencing what experts lovingly call “Land Shark” or “Velociraptor” behavior. Those tiny razor-sharp baby teeth are apparently designed to investigate everything—including fingers, shoelaces, furniture, pant legs, and occasionally your patience.

Bladder Control:
Let us just say… planning your day around potty breaks has become a competitive sport. With a bladder the size of a thimble, potty trips are required every 20 to 45 minutes while awake, plus a couple of overnight outings just to keep life interesting.

Feeding:
Three to four meals a day, totaling about 2 to 3 cups of quality puppy food. Judging by her enthusiasm, one would think she has not eaten in weeks every single time food appears.

Vaccinations:
Still in the middle of her puppy shot series, meaning public adventures are limited for now. No strolling around campgrounds greeting every human and dog she sees until she is fully vaccinated.

Exercise:
No forced marches for this little traveler. Short bursts of free play and supervised roaming are best while those puppy joints continue developing.

So, if anyone is wondering how life is going with Mocha Teal, the answer is simple: we are tired, laughing, occasionally bleeding from puppy teeth, and completely smitten.

Still… somewhere between the midnight potty runs and the latest chewed object, Susan and I occasionally look at each other and ask:

“What were we thinking?” 😄

Now, before anyone thinks life with the Land Shark is complete chaos, let us be fair—Mocha Teal has actually developed some pretty impressive sleeping habits.

Real life at DaGirls RV now looks something like this:

9:30 PM — Bedtime.
And to our amazement, she settles in and sleeps until somewhere around 5:00 to 5:30 AM. Not too shabby for an 8-week-old chocolate tornado.

The morning routine begins immediately—straight outside for the all-important morning pee and poop mission. Timing, as we have learned, is everything. Hesitate too long and, well… let us just say the RV carpet loses.

After that comes about 10 to 15 minutes of playtime and training. We are quickly learning that with puppies, any time is good for training time. Sit, come, leave it, no bite, good girl—repetition seems to be the name of the game. Even the smallest moments become learning opportunities.

Of course, training sessions usually last until either:

1. Mocha gets distracted by a leaf, stick, bug, or imaginary object only she can see… or
2. The Land Shark personality returns and fingers suddenly become chew toys again.

Still, every day we are seeing little improvements, and honestly, it is hard not to smile watching her learn and grow—even if she does keep us moving at full speed.

As a side note, our little Mocha Teal is growing like a weed. She is now tipping the scales at around 14 pounds and is coming up on 10 weeks old.

For a chocolate Lab, we are told that is right about where she should be—although from the amount she eats and the speed at which she can move when she spots something interesting (or chewable), we suspect she may secretly be training for the Puppy Olympics.

It is amazing how quickly they grow. One minute she seems tiny enough to fit in one arm, and the next thing you know, the Land Shark has longer legs, a bigger appetite, and just enough confidence to remind us daily that she now officially rules the RV.

Susan, Tilly, Mocha, me and as always Dakota in sprit

Safe travels and journeys.

P.S. Yes I am using AI, if it is one thing I have learned, never look a gift horse in the mouth. 

I have learned, that writing, paragraphs and sentences, that AI will put into order Vs me rewriting it several times. Spelling is corrected along with other items. Plus I can add additionals thoughts to it and it will be included in a way that the blog flows together.   

Vanishing Land Shark

The Curious Case of the Vanishing Land Shark

Just when you think it cannot get worse… it does.

The infamous Land Shark, feared predator of socks, rogue flip-flops, unattended snacks, and unsuspecting ankles, has now entered a new and troubling phase of existence.

Disappearance.

Yes, friends, the once mighty beast — capable of launching surprise attacks from behind dinette chairs and ambushing innocent RV occupants making midnight bathroom runs — has all but vanished.

At first, panic set in.

“Where’s the Land Shark?”

No answer.

We searched under the table. Behind the captain’s chairs. Around the dog bowls. Even near the sacred snack cabinet — a place previously considered prime hunting territory.

Nothing.

Only silence.

Then… there she was.

Not lurking.

Not stalking.

Not plotting destruction.

Nope.

The mighty predator had somehow melted into the floor beside her kennel, as if the very effort of terrorizing the household had simply become too exhausting. Half in. Half out. Looking less like a fierce apex hunter and more like someone who had lost an argument with gravity.

One floppy ear down.

Nose planted firmly into the rug.

Completely unaware of her responsibilities as Chief Household Menace.

Apparently, being an eight-week-old Land Shark is exhausting work.

You spend all morning attacking shoelaces, defending the RV from dangerous leaves, conducting aggressive inspections of every cabinet, and making sure absolutely no one walks past without a proper ankle check.

Eventually, even the fiercest Land Shark reaches her limit.

And when that happens?

She doesn’t just sleep.

She disappears.

One moment there’s chaos.

The next, there’s what appears to be a chocolate throw rug with a pulse.

Of course, veteran dog owners know this is merely tactical. The Land Shark is not defeated. Oh no. This is a strategic recharge.

Because in approximately 17 minutes — or whenever someone opens a bag of chips — the beast will rise again.

Rested.

Hungry.

And fully committed to the destruction of peace and quiet.

It has now been seven days (Sunday, May 3rd) since Mocha Teal came into our lives — and into Tilly’s, whether she approved of the arrangement or not.

To say the least, in that short time, she has become family.

Well… family to most of us.

Tilly, however, is still conducting what can only be described as an official protest. She remains unconvinced that this tiny chocolate tornado — also known as The Land Shark — was a necessary addition to the household. In Tilly’s opinion, there was absolutely nothing wrong with life before puppy teeth entered the picture.

The phrase “this too shall pass” appears to be lost on her.

That said, our sweet Tilly is now experiencing some medical issues with her eye, and we are hoping to see an eye specialist on Monday. As always, prayers and good thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

Life in the RV continues to remind us that joy and concern often travel side by side. One moment you are laughing at a puppy who has mysteriously powered down in the middle of an attack mission, and the next you are reminded just how deeply these furry companions become part of our hearts.

And somehow, through it all, we keep moving forward.

As Always,

Susan, Tilly, Mocha Teal, me… and of course, Dakota in spirit.

Wish your travels bring you many joyous adventures.

May your life exceed your expectations

Settling In

Settling In… One Paw at a Time

We spent two nights at Meramec State Park, and honestly, it turned out to be exactly what we needed—not just a stop, but a chance to slow things down and let everyone… adjust.

Because bringing a new pup into the RV isn’t just an addition—it’s a full-on lifestyle shift.

That first night?
Well, let’s just say there were a few questions rolling around in our heads.

What would Mocha Teal do?
Would she be nervous?
Confused?
Missing what she knew?

And the big one… would anyone get any sleep?

Turns out, Mocha had her own plan.

She settled in… and slept straight through until 5 AM—right about the time I woke up. No drama, no fuss, no “new puppy chaos” like you might expect. Just a quiet reminder that sometimes, they handle change better than we do.

Since then, we’ve been doing what you do—learning each other.

Figuring out routines.
Finding rhythm in a small space.
Sharing the road in a whole new way.

And for the most part, it’s been good. Really good.

Well… for most of us.

Tilly, on the other hand, is not exactly writing a welcome speech just yet.

She’s made it pretty clear this wasn’t her idea. There’s a new energy in her space, a new set of smells, a new personality bouncing around—and she’s still deciding how she feels about all of it.

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned—on the road and in life—it’s this:

Time has a way of working things out.

So we’ll give it time.
Let them find their footing.
Let the pack sort itself out.

And somewhere along the way, we’ve got a feeling Tilly and Mocha Teal will figure out that this road is big enough for both of them. 🐾🚍

Susan, Tilly, me and Dakota in sprit. 

Joining us on DaRoad ? Mocha Teal.

Continuing Our Travels…

Continuing Our Travels… The Big Surprise

I suppose by now you were wondering—what in the world had us pushing that hard, chasing miles like we had somewhere important to be?

You’d be right.

Our destination wasn’t just another stop on the map—it was Sullivan. And the reason?

To meet up with Amy from O'Dell Labs.

Now here’s where the story takes a turn from diesel engines and roadside repairs… to something a whole lot sweeter.

The big surprise?

We were on our way to pick up Mocha Teal Prichard—a beautiful little female chocolate lab., that Dakota had a big paw in finding.

Yep… after all the breakdowns, phone calls, busted hoses, and improvised engineering, the road wasn’t just leading us east—it was leading us to a new traveling companion.

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

All those delays, all those unexpected stops… and yet, somehow, everything still lines up right when it needs to.

So now the journey changes again.

New passenger.
New energy.
Probably a lot less quiet in the RV.

And if history tells us anything… a whole lot more stories ahead.

Welcome to the road, Mocha Teal. 🐾🚍 

May 2nd 

Safe Travels from

Susan, Tillie, Mocha Teal, me and Dakota, always leading the way.

Well… Here We Are

 Well… Here We Are

So here we are—parked, settled, and for the moment, calling Sugar Creek Truck Lube & Roadside Service home.

Not exactly the destination we had in mind when we started east, but sometimes the road writes its own story.

And in the middle of all this uncertainty, something worth pausing for—people.

Chris and Dave have gone above and beyond. Not only are they working with us through the mechanical mystery, but they’ve also allowed us to stay right here on site, living in the RV while we sort things out. No scrambling for a hotel, no added stress of figuring out where to go next—just a place to be.

I can’t say enough about Dave’s ability and willingness to help. The man has stuck with us, digging in, thinking it through, and treating this like more than just another job. And Chris—opening the door and saying, “Stay here, no charge”—that kind of generosity sticks with you.

It’s easy to get caught up in the frustration when plans fall apart. The miles we didn’t make. The destination we didn’t reach—like Downstream Casino Resort still waiting somewhere up the road.

But moments like this are a reminder… the journey isn’t just about where you’re going. It’s about who shows up along the way.

And right now, we’ve been shown a whole lot of kindness in a place we never planned to stop.

Stay Tuned…

So for now, we wait.
We learn.
And we take it one wrench-turn, one phone call, and one cup of coffee at a time in the morning and 1 bottle of wine at night.

The road may have paused us here at Sugar Creek Truck Lube & Roadside Service… but the story is far from over.

Stay tuned—same channel, same time (well… almost)—for the continuing saga of DaGirls RV. 🚍

Oh, but wait. What was the problem ? The High Temperature Hose from the Charge Air Cooler to the Inlet Manifold to the Engine. Think of it as a 3 inch Radiator Hose type material.

Remember double click to enlarge the images

Thank you for signing your comments

Susan, Tillie, me and Dakota in Sprit in Gus da Bus

Continuing East… or Just Sitting Still?

So… continuing the trip east?

Well, that depends on your definition of “continuing.”

As Susan and I sit here at Sugar Creek Truck Lube & Roadside Service, it feels a little less like forward progress and a little more like we’re up the creek… and yes, without much of a paddle.

After the first mobile mechanic didn’t exactly move the needle, it was back on us—again—to figure out the next step. There’s something about RV life that turns you into part traveler, part mechanic, and part problem-solver whether you signed up for it or not.

So, Plan B (or maybe Plan D at this point).

I tracked down a shop about six miles away that said, “Sure, we can take a look.” Now, six miles doesn’t sound like much—unless your top speed is somewhere between 10 and 20 MPH. Let’s just say it was a slow-motion parade no one signed up for.

We made it. Barely.

Got parked, settled in, and decided to let the problem wait until morning—because sometimes the best tool in your toolbox is a little daylight and a fresh cup of coffee.

Morning came, and Dave and I got to work. We dug in, checked everything we could think of, went over it piece by piece. Nothing obvious. No flashing signs. No “aha” moment.

After some head scratching and a fair amount of “what are we missing?”, I made the call to Rush Truck Centers. A deposit later, we had a qualified mobile mechanic on the way to do a proper diagnostic.

Now we’re getting somewhere… right?

Well, sort of.

After a few phone calls and walking through the symptoms, he comes back with this:

“There’s a leak.”

A leak?

Dave and I looked at each other.
A leak where?

We’d already been over that engine like a couple of detectives at a crime scene. No puddles. No obvious drips. No hissing sounds jumping out at us.

Nothing.

And yet… something was definitely wrong.

At this point, it’s starting to feel like one of those mysteries where the answer is right in front of you—you just don’t know where to look yet.

So here we sit. Waiting, learning, and being reminded (once again) that this lifestyle isn’t just about the destinations like Downstream Casino Resort… it’s about the unexpected stops along the way.

Some planned.
Some… not so much.

But one thing’s for sure—we’re going to find that leak

Now what ? Well currently we are awaiting locating a replacement hose. Word is none is available and will not be for awhile. But hey you know me, the McGiver of Alfa's right ?

Continuation later on.

Susan, Tillie, me and Dakota in Sprit 

Traveling in  Gus da Bus

Plan – Onward to Downstream Casino… Maybe

Plan – Onward to Downstream Casino… Maybe

Distance: 475 miles.
Can we do it? Well… that depends on how much coffee, determination, and good humor we can pack into one day. As always, we’ll see what happens—and more importantly, where we decide to stop when common sense finally taps us on the shoulder.

But before we get too far down the road, I forgot to circle back on Rudy and Beata’s Jeep situation. Turns out, there’s some good news in the middle of all that mechanical drama. A deal was worked out for a used/rebuilt rear axle along with the labor to get it installed. If everything lines up—parts arrive on time, no surprises in the shop—they could be rolling again by Tuesday, May 5th. That’s the kind of update you like to hear when your home has wheels and your plans depend on them.

Now… back to us.

Why in the world are we even considering pushing close to 500 miles in a single day?

Short answer? Because sometimes the road isn’t just about distance—it’s about timing, weather, and a little bit of “let’s just get there.” There are days when 200 miles feels like a full journey, and then there are days like this, where you look at the map, take a sip of coffee, and say, “Well… it’s doable.”

Part of it is the pull of the destination—Downstream Casino Resort—sitting up there like a reward at the end of a long stretch of highway. Full hookups, a place to rest, maybe even a decent meal that doesn’t come out of the RV freezer. That alone can make the miles seem shorter… at least in theory.

And part of it is just the rhythm of this lifestyle. When you live on the road, you learn to read the day. Weather looks good. Roads are clear. Spirits are high. Those are the days you stretch it a little. Not recklessly—but intentionally.

Of course, we also know better. Four hundred seventy-five miles in an RV isn’t the same as hopping in a car and stepping on the gas. Fuel stops take longer. Stretch breaks matter more. And somewhere around mile 300, you start having honest conversations with yourself.

“Do we keep going… or do we find a nice spot and call it a win?”

That’s the beauty of this journey—plans are flexible, expectations are negotiable, and the destination… well, sometimes it changes.

So, onward we go. Maybe to Downstream. Maybe not.

Either way, the road’s got a say in it too.

What's the next word ? Photos of course:

Susan, Tilly and me, and always with Dakota Leading the way.

DaGirls Rv riding in Gus da Buss

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota
Cue the accents, woodchippers, and “You betchas”—or not.

Most folks hear “Fargo” and immediately think of the 1996 crime drama by the Coen brothers. Fargo, the film, is a quirky, dark tale about a desperate car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife—only for everything to spiral into chaos. Frances McDormand stole the show as the very pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson. The opening claims it’s a “true story,” but the Coen brothers later admitted the film is purely fiction, though it borrows bits and pieces from real crimes.

But enough about the movie.

Let’s talk about the real Fargo.

We rolled into town on Tuesday with plans to stay three days. Susan tried to snag us a spot for the Fourth of July, but everything was booked. Honestly, that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of battling crowds and fireworks traffic, we’ll continue westward to Jamestown on the 4th.

Our only real challenge here? The weather. It’s hot, it’s humid, and we landed a 30-amp site. For most folks, that’s a dealbreaker for running two A/C units. But they don’t know us. We’ve been around the block (and the campground) more than a few times, and yes—we can run two compressors on 30 amps. Don’t ask how. Just know it involves some faith, finesse, and maybe a little bit of magic.

First Stop: Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum was our first real dive into local culture. (And yes, it was blessedly air-conditioned.) This isn’t your typical dusty airplane hangar. Many of the planes are still flight-ready, which added a living history feel to the visit. From WWII warbirds to sleek experimental aircraft, the displays blend storytelling with engineering in a way that kept both of us intrigued. Even I found myself stopping to read the placards—always a good sign.

We were both impressed.

Next Stop: Downtown Murals & Coffee

From there, we headed downtown to hunt for some of Fargo’s famous murals. The city has embraced public art in a big way, and the colorful murals give the streets a creative, welcoming vibe. 

After a short walk (because remember: heat and humidity), we cooled off with a well-earned cup of coffee and people-watched for a bit before moving on.

You can Learn all about the Hopperstad Stave Church Here - Press here 

Along with the Church is the Hjemkomst Ship

To continue learning - Press here

A Norwegian Surprise on Thursday

Then came a little unexpected treat—(The Sons of Norway - Press Here in Blue). No, not a secret society, but a cultural center and café tucked into town. We stumbled across it and found ourselves welcomed with smiles, the scent of baked goods, and a menu full of Norwegian comfort food. Morning rolls with raisins, traditional meat dishes, and of course—pie. (Because why wouldn’t there be pie?) It was like stepping into a warm, flour-dusted memory of someone’s grandma’s kitchen.

So that’s Fargo: quirky, cultured, and just the right kind of unexpected.

Tomorrow, we head for Jamestown—and maybe a bit more elbow room on the power pedestal.

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv & Gus da Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me