10/7/10
The sun is out!! Ooohhh....actually-I have had my head buried in a notebook, then got onto the computer without ever looking up. After I wrote "the sun is out" I looked out of this office window and saw that the clouds have rolled in and covered the sky. How did that happen so fast??
It's okay though because I hear that is normal up on this little mountain we're on. We should be riding into sunshine today and at least it's not nearly as cold as it has been the last two days.
Yesterday Walter and I both drove a carriage! Two Percherons were pulling it. I have always wanted to drive! Walter and I were both surprised at how much steering you have to do. Kait and Rooster (that's his childhood nickname-when he was 4 years old his father saw him flapping his arms like a Rooster outside of the window because he was mad at his mom. The name stuck) told us there might be a little extra steering involved because the big guy pulling on the right was only 4 years old.
I haven't had a chance to get to the pictures yet so they are still on the camera (which I dropped at Nemocolin and banged up pretty bad, breaking one of our two lenses. Bummer. I had set the camera on the hood of the truck...and then drove away....)
We'll get the pictures off soon though and I'll work on them. We have a pretty long ride today to Bedford, PA. It's going to be a little tough because we have had such easy days of only 15-17 miles. We haven't rested in 6 days, but none of us feel like we really need to when we are only riding such short days. I'm afraid we've spoiled ourselves though and today will feel like it should be over when we are only half way through!
Yesterday we rode 15 miles in 2.5 hours. Soj was feeling good and ready to go so I just let him pick the pace.
Walter is packing the truck and Soj is waiting patiently for his grain so I should probably get out there!!
Hi Linny, I just found out about your journey and I read your whole blog. If you ever get near Dillsburg, PA please let me know you're more than welcome to stay with me and though my horse is boarded, Sojourner is welcome to cut some grass with my paint.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read more about your travels!!
Ooh, I love, love, love Percherons. They make fantastic riding horses as well. The city of Milwaukee uses them exclusively for their mounted officers.
ReplyDeleteI met a Percheron/TB cross in the French Quarter in New Orleans that was working as a police horse at only four years of age! Calm as can be, standing tied to a streetlight post while the officer was in the restaurant eating pizza. That's the type of disposition/constitution so many of them have - athletic, yet calm.
Ride On!
Linny, Walter, and Soj,
ReplyDeleteI am still digesting all of the life-stew from your visit with us. Kait and I are confident that you came into our lives to remind us of the possibilities, of what we are capable of doing. We have felt so burdened by so many things in the time since we graduated - bogged down in work and uncertainty - but we are seeing with new eyes thanks to you and your ride. You are truly inspirational people - living by example!
I have been reading your blog from the beginning - can't wait to read the book someday - and I keep getting hit with wave after wave of emotion, and I find myself wanting to know more and more about you and how you came to be at my door - hoping to learn, to grow from your experiences, and to fuel the fire that will push my own dreams forward.
There are so many things I wish I could say - as you were riding away, Kait and I both wanted so badly to come with you that we were moved to tears.
You entire blog is fascinating, but one of my favorite passages (so far) has to be "the giver" (looking for the date on it, but i'm sure you know the entry i'm talking about.) You journey is about so many things, but the romantic in me wants to know the story of you and Walter, and that entry (among many others - the night he looked at you right plucked my heartstrings, too) you talked of walter in such wonderful ways, and I remember thinking after I read it,
"Yes. That's what it's about. I want to be like Walter when I grow up."
I'm rambling here, but I want to wish you both the best on your ride, and in your lives. You clearly make a great team, and that's what it's all about.
Godspeed, Good Luck, and I truly hope our paths cross again soon.
With Love,
John (and Kait) Seyal
(and Max and Grace and Emerson the cat)
For John: Emotional Freedom starts on the trail. I hope that someday you are able to take an amazing equestrian journey like Linny has to inspire others... if you can dream it....you can do it!
ReplyDeleteTo You Three Road/Trail Warriors - wow the homestretch is in sight! You all are million times more amazing as the day you started...and you were all amazing to begin with! RIDE ON! You're almost "Home" :)
I too, have read every entry from the start. It has been eye-opening for me to learn how many more talents a person possesses than those I already knew about. The music has been there since the start, the love for horses, too, and the artistic ability. But I now know that she can write in such a way that you feel something (I, too, liked the Giver entry especially well), make photographs (Ansel Adams said that you don't take a photograph; you MAKE a photograph), work a piece of leather into a work of art, maintain a horse in less than ideal conditions to the point where a vet would say that the animal is not only healthy; he's happy! And where did you two get the fancy clothes for your stay at that W Virginia hotel with the chandeliers?
ReplyDeleteYay for PA - you're so close! We can't wait to see you guys and listen to your stories live. Safe travels. - Jamie
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have to say that Linny's trip through here has really brought some positive changes into our lives as well! Because of Linny coming through our area recently, I was able to connect with so many other horse lovers and now we have a long distance trail riding club formed as of tonight! Now I'll be able to share backcountry multi-day riding trips with my daughter and new friends, trips I thought I had sadly left behind on the BLM land in the Northwest twenty years ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linny and Walter for showing this nonconformist how to push the envelope even farther than before! What a shot of sunshine you two are!
One more thing, remember Winnie the vet? Did he tell you he just broke his pelvis not more than a month ago? The guy is amazing, already back to work! Thank you for the kind words about him, he is a real gem!
Our family is praying for your safety and for your strength. You are always on our minds! Love ya both! Juli
Thanks for these lovely comments. Pops! Mommy sent us clothes for that night. :) I had bought the cool heels I'm wearing at a thrift store for a dollar!!! They're actually for Mommy. She'll love them. We got Walter's pants at that same thrift store. That shop was a good find. Mommy sent the dress and got Walter that shirt for his birthday though. :)
ReplyDeleteJohn...that made me cry. That was the most beautiful letter to us. Thank you so much. You both and your sweet dogs and massive cat are always welcome wherever we are. I hope you all can take a trip up to NH this winter sometime or come see us out in Northern CA if we end up back there. We have many, many more conversations and teas to try. Maybe we'll even join you for a day or two of your walk. ;)
Stay in close touch...who knows-maybe we'll start an artist haven together on a farm with music and good food (that we grow) and a milk cow and chickens and horses and a green cafe and family and smiles...you never know.
Oh and Juli! That's so cool! We should be thanking you though. You and Donna gave us such a memorable couple of days and I really can't thank you enough for your selfless energy.
ReplyDeleteLinny,
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are experiencing some warm and gentle weather. Is the orange vest you're wearing the one that is suppose to keep you cool? If so, does it work if you put hot water in it for the cold days ahead? Just a thought. Hot water bottles are a blessing, so make sure you have some in the truck.
It really does feel like you are on the final leg of the journey, even if there are quite a few miles ahead of you. There is absolutely no doubt that you will make this adventure to it's final ending.
David is in Central America, (Panama), heading for Chile to spend some time with a young man I picked up on Big River beach, last summer. He is Chilean and was traveling around the U.S. He ended up living with us for several of months, working on my mom's house, remodeling it with David and Bill. (umm, sounds a bit like you and Cait, ending up living here.... is there a pattern I should be paying attention to?)
Chris is in Europe, expected to return around the middle of November. Looks like I may be heading out to N.H. solo, if you get home before they return. What ever the circumstances, I am so looking forward to seeing you and giving you a big hug. Can't wait to see all three of you, as well as the rest of the Linny fan club.
It is so amazing to see how you help and inspire each other to continue with your dream. Even more, to see how you are able to be flexible with that dream and let it have it's own life, transforming, changing and circling to embrace all that life has to offer. I understand that there are many days of endurance and perseverance that you continue to confront but you are so close to your goal!!!!
Off to my own comfortable bed. Hope yours is warm and compfy, as well. Sweet dreams.
Always,
Nancy