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...

got in to...

4/1//10

...Camp after dark. Tired. On phone. Should have wireless tomorrow. We went about 23 miles today, but started late because I had to finish some leather stuff. Psyched to sleep.

6 comments:

  1. Hi Linny,
    Work/werk/n:an opportunity for discovering and shaping; the place where the self meets the world.
    This is the poet/writer David Whyte's definition that is quite different from Webster's. One of David Whyte's books is titled "Crossing the Unknown Sea; Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity." If you get a chance to purchase it, you may find some interesting perspectives to mull over while you ride along. He writes of the special and privileged intimacy which occures in the sudden encounter between strangers. How an encounter, timed just right, can alter our present vision of work and our ability to reimagine ourselves. A reminder that work is not a static endpoint or a mere exercise in providing but a journey and a pilgrimage in which the core elements of our being are tested in the world.
    I believe we can start off with a dream of doing something, with the focus being on the arrival of a destination. We forget that we are on a journey.
    The same can happen in a marriage, a job, a relationship; we work and sacrifice for the future house, a garden, the vacation in warm tropical waters, children. We forget in our seeking to embrace what is in the present. We allow little time for contemplation and the quiet silence to speak to us. Remembering that we are not the center of the world, to take the time to reflect on our blessings, to appreciate those we love. Without a firm foundation for what is sacred, we stand on shifting ground.
    I believe that love is sacred. That love extends to ourselves, as well. When you value who you are, you are a better judge of who to share yourself with. I grew up in the 60's and 70's, a era of freedom and self expression. I also think that along the way, we forgot to place a value on ourselves, often experimenting with partners that did not hold our hearts. In doing so we lost a part of our sacredness. As I tell my sons, you leave a part of yourself with every encounter, as well as take a piece of the other person. Make sure you are willing to carry the weight of that person for the rest of your life.
    Remember that you are not an accident in a world of accidents. You were invited. We are each, unique individuals. It's mind boggling to realize that in our DNA is stored the presence of every single ancestor in our personal history. Talk about a family tree! The thought of all those people parading around in my body is like a continual conversation with myriad perspectives. Maybe we are never alone, after all.
    I've been continuously interrupted while trying to post this, so I realize that this conversation is a bit disjointed but hopefully you will be patient with my intent.
    I imagine sitting in the kitchen with you and Cait, conversing over a cup of tea. Unfortunately, some of my musings can easily be construed as concrete opinions when in fact they are meant to be a dialogue. I guess I should try to narrow down a subject matter so I don't ramble on and on. Your blog certainly stimulates thoughts and makes me yearn for long conversations with you.
    As always, I send my love.
    Nancy

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  2. I love this, Nancy. I love your mind and your thoughts. Shivers went all the way through my whole body when I read the part about the DNA of our ancestors being in us. That is so amazing, isn't it?! And yes, we are never alone. People like that just don't leave you. They stay there. Every ounce of any but of power or drive comes from them, from you, from those intimate encounters with strangers. It all blows my mind and it fills me up more than anything else.

    I can not WAIT to have tea with you and Caiti. I think about it all the time! We all have to live near each other and that's just all there is to that!!
    Love you,
    Lin

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  3. I have an even better plan..... I've already invited Caiti to come and farm the property when she finishes her internship. She can plant veggies and sell them at the local farmers markets. You can join her after your ride and write your great American novel. I'll clean out the attic.
    Of course, this will not go well with your Mom, so we will have to find her and Stephen a victorian farmhouse here on the coast. Then we will have to invite Jackie and his wife for a visit because I want to meet that guy!
    Love,
    Nancy

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  4. Sounds like a great plan to me! Love that Mendocino, and the people.

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  5. Hey, Nancy! I think you mean me! You do, don't you? I'm sitting here thinking that Linny has a friend named Jackie (my given name is Tom, so I occasionally have to remind myself that I'm Jackie :)) that you haven't met and that he and his wife will be very lucky because someday they get to have tea with Nancy, Linny, Cait, Stephen, Wendy... If you are talking about me Nancy, I can assure you that the pleasure and honor would be all mine.

    I so enjoy reading your comments, filled with wisdom and insight. Thank you for them. I'm off to learn more about David Whyte.

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  6. Nancy,
    What you have written is beautiful. You are an amazing woman, and I am so happy that you are a part of Cait and Linny's life.

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