Ace and I have been sharpening our high-level guide work for the first four weeks since becoming a certified team and I finally felt that he was ready for the next big step: travel.
We embarked on a whirlwind weekend adventure to Jacksonville, Florida—about a three-hour drive—and made two meaningful stops along the way to mark our familiar stomping grounds: Fort McCoy and historic St. Augustine. Each location gave Ace a chance to stretch his skills, settle into the rhythm of long-distance travel, and continue building confidence on the road.
Curiosity led us to make a quick detour at Buc-ee's just to see what all the excitement was about. The moment we walked in, we were hit with a wall of smoky BBQ brisket aroma and a bustling, shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. Despite the chaos, Ace breezed through the store without a single misstep. We even met Buc-ee's famous mascot, Bucky the Beaver—who, based on Ace's expression, was definitely filed under "weird creatures."
Our primary destination was the University of North Florida (UNF) and the nearby St. Johns Town Center, where we worked closely with interpreting students. The experience was absolutely wonderful. I received many compliments about Ace, most of them centered on his poise, precision, and remarkable maturity. Many people were genuinely stunned to learn that he is so young and that we've only been a team for just over a month. They assumed he was at least three years old because of his extraordinary guiding skills, dependable traffic responses, and clean pedestrian clearances.
By the end of the weekend, Ace and I felt nothing but pride. Our first major road trip together was a true success—smooth travel, excellent guide work, and a confident young dog who handled every challenge with grace.
And the best part? Another road trip is already on the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for the next blog entry!