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...

a little note...

7/2/10

Sorry to post such a whimpy entry right now. So much has happened, but so much so that I don't have the time right now to write about it.
We have been walking a lot and have met the most wonderful people. I'll tell you all about it very soon.
We're going to be in Paul's Valley for the 4th of July. I'm pretty tired. Pretty much exhausted, in fact. We had a comfortable bed the last 2 nights, but I think I need more. I have some major catching up to do.

We were rescued tonight off of the road right before the rain. Right now Walter is playing pool next to me with our new friend, Gordon. We are in a lovely home overlooking a lake and just had a nice shower and dinner with Gordon and his family. We thought we were going to be camping on the side of the road somewhere. The last time we camped in this kind of humidity (a couple of nights ago) it was as if someone took a hose and sprayed the inside of the tent when we woke up in the morning. Gordon had been mowing the lawn that the driveway we were taking a break near was attached to and stopped to ask if we were okay. We told him what we were up to and now we are here in his home. Clean, warm, fed, and playing pool.

I have some serious back tracking to do to catch this blog up to where we left off. I've been working on a guitar strap that I just finished today, too, but the internet is too slow to upload the photos. I'll put them up soon as well though...
More very soon!
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7 comments:

  1. JackieBJuly 2, 2010 at 10:43 PM

    So wonderful that you encountered Gordon and his family. I hope you'll sleep in his air-conditioned home for about 15 hours straight, get something to eat, and then do it all again. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Good for whatever ails a person.

    Looking forward to the next update. Rest up!!!

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  2. JackieBJuly 2, 2010 at 10:48 PM

    OK, I just found out something about Paul's Valley that has blown me away for years - NOODLING.

    Let me tell you, I raced motorcycles for years, have been sky diving, hang gliding, cliff diving, rapelling, and more, but I DO NOT HAVE THE GUTS FOR NOODLING. Those fishermen (and I suppose some women do it, too) have got serious courage!!!!!

    So bring us a story or two about noodling, please. :)

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  3. JackieBJuly 2, 2010 at 10:48 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Mochi74July 2, 2010 at 11:21 PM

    Jackie,
    I was recently watching on a discovery channel show (or perhaps it was animal planet).
    It claimed 64 people a year, die in lakes due to Noodling and it is the biggest cause of lake related deaths in the U.S.

    I've heard people saw catfish BIGGER THAN THEM have dragged them under.
    I am glad you don't have the guts for it :)
    I sure as heck ain't sticking my hand where it doesn't belong GROSS!!!!!!! :P

    Can't wait to see your new strap creation and pics Linny and Walter! Happy 4th!

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  5. JackieBJuly 3, 2010 at 1:00 AM

    Oh, good point, Darcy. I can see how it could easily end up in a fatality if a fish drags a person under and doesn't let go.

    Now that you mention it, I think I've also heard of the possibility of sticking your hand in the mouth of a giant turtle, too. That would either lead to a fatality or losing some fingers.

    So it looks like noodlers are brave AND perhaps lacking in common sense. It's wild, though. No doubt about that.

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  6. nancyJuly 3, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    I bet they call it noodling due to the fact that the person crazy enough to do it has no noodles left. There are more creative and productive forms of entertainment that I can think of...... let nature preserve her mysteries from mortals who have serious gene defects. Then again, Darwin would shake his head and just say "let the strong survive, the rest are fish food."
    What some people will do for a little adrenaline rush.

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  7. Mochi74July 5, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    Oh no! Turtle amputation! I get nervous enough in lakes ANYWAY ;)

    Hahaaa Nancy! I think that sums it up! NO NOODLES LEFT!!!!!
    ROFL :)

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