On March 1st, 2010, my friend Walter and I set off on an adventure with my Arabian horse, Sojourner. I rode Soj across America and Walter drove our little truck (with no trailer). The trip began in Los Angeles, California and successfully ended in Bath, New Hampshire 8 months and 14 days later. It was a 3,700 mile ride.

We rode in celebration of family and as an outreach to those dealing with divorce-related depression.

This ride tells a tale of love in many forms - through the people we meet along the way, our connection with the horse, with the land, and with each other.

As this blog goes on it gets more and more in depth with tons of photos and experiences. Snuggle in with a cup of tea and read this like a book. I have switched the blog around so it reads start to finish so you don't have to read backward (except the first entry).

Here is our story...

Aguila, AZ (well, almost)

4/1/10

First off, I wasn't in Saline, I was in Salome, but that silly phone of mine that I can't work changed the word on me like it always, always does.

I didn't ride all that far today because Walter and I stayed up the whole night last night. I was riding with my eyes closed again. Soj and I made great time in the morning, but I started to crash as the day went on. We are now in a beautiful camping spot just West of Aguila. We rode about 18 miles today and tomorrow I have to get up early and ride 36 to get to our next stop.

Last night we stayed at a rodeo spot in Salome. The evening was made by these two wonderful women named Janet and Clare. I only met Janet for a minute but she reminded me so much of my Mendocino mama, Nancy, so I instantly loved her. She had such a great energy about her. It's too bad it was such a quick visit.

Clare and Janet drove into the spot we were camping out at in a white Crown Victoria. The boys stayed at the rodeo spot with Soj, but I followed Clare and Janet in the truck to take Clare up on her offer to shower at her house.

So here they are in this little car and we turn into this field! They drive down the sort of dirt road on the side but at one point the dirt was too soft and the Crown Victoria fish tailed. They just kept on driving. It was great!! I got such a kick out of them driving around in the fields in that car! I was by myself in the truck but I was laughing and laughing!!

Clare dropped Janet off and I went to Clare's to shower and then spent a relaxing hour or two with Clare and her husband. By the way, Clare, what is that wine again?? I want to get some! Good, cheap, and red. That's just about the way I like everything. :)

I am going to try to get some pictures up tonight, but this internet is so very slow and I don't want to wait too long for the pictures to upload because I have to get up so early tomorrow.

We should be in Phoenix on Monday night though so I am going to work on some leather orders I have and catch up with this blog pictures AND thoughts wise...

I love reading the comments. I will respond more as my internet service gets better, but now everything just takes so much time!!

Yeah, actually the internet is just too slow and there are so many pictures to post. I will play catch up big time once we are in Phoenix!!

5 comments:

  1. If you come into Phoenix on SR 74, you'll be on the Carefree Hwy, made famous to most of us by Gordon Lightfoot. If you don't know the song by the same name, your parents certainly do!

    Perhaps you should dedicate that day's walk to penning lyrics to a great new song !

    Travel Safe!

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  2. Carefree highway let me slip away on you....Gordy saw the "Carefree Hwy" sign back in the 70's. He thought it would make a great song title, so he jotted it down and stuck it in his suitcase. Eight months later he picked it up and penned one of his greatest songs ever!
    Maybe Linny will be inspired too!

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  3. Hey Lenny, Right now I am going to email SPOT about making a suitable carry case for Spot. I forgot. Sounds like you have it taken care of now though. Love reading your blogs and hope things keep going well for you and pony.
    Cathy B.

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  4. Awh thanks, Cathy!!! Yeah, Jordan made a SPOT case that is perfect. Hmmm....maybe he should contact SPOT! I have been thinking of so many leather things while riding-things that I could make that would help. I think I will have a "cowgirl supplies" page on my leather shop page soon. :)

    Stephen and Tom-I am trying!! I have written 2 songs. One is just kind of a little ditty. I am going to have one of the boys video it and record it soon so I can post it here. :)

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  5. Remember:"Yesterday" started as a little ditty also...scrambled eggs...

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