Dudley checks out the porch of the French Camp, a worthwhile stop on the southern leg of the Trace. RELATED STORIES Essential Advice Natchez Trace Parkway

Dudley was thrilled to find squirrels at every stop along the Old Trace.

Dudley has picked up a new trick that Emily wishes he hadn't. He's begun to grasp that when Murray slows down and Rob moves the shift lever, it's time to get out of the coach. Now he insists on jumping down from whatever lap he happens to be perched upon, usually Emily's, at the sound of the shift lever.

He wants to always be the first out the door, maybe so his clumsy human companions won't scare away whatever squirrels or cattle might lie outside. In our frequent stops along the Natchez Trace Parkway, this habit became even more reinforced, as almost every stop rewarded Dudley with an exciting selection of Mississippi squirrels.

Because of all the excitement, Emily has had to put blankets or pillows on her lap — not for Dudley's comfort but to prevent the skid marks he would leave on her legs otherwise. With all this jumping around, we're both grateful Dudley doesn't drive.