9.June – happy news! Jesse’s last scab came off this morning. I doctored him and turned the ponies out into the pasture they share during the days. I’m guessing I’ll have a pretty good idea how soon we’ll be moving again by tomorrow morning when I see how it’s progressing.
8.June – I think we’re getting close to being able to hit the trail again. Jesse’s back is looking great except for one remaining scab and as of tonight that one’s hanging by a tag. Yeah for Corona (lots of lanolin). I’m deep in the dark southern literature – seems appropriate. Loving these long summer evenings – and fireflies!
30.May – had a new arrival at Meriwood Farm tonight – she was less than an hour old at this point.
24.May – at Meriwood Farms in Lawrenceburg, TN – Jesse is looking better every day. He and Finehorn are loving their pasture but I can tell they’re ready to be moving on again soon. There are many Amish in this area and it’s fun to see their leggy bay driving horses and black buggies around town when we run errands.
11.May – grateful to have a good place to be while Jesse heals. i’m doctoring him twice a day and got new saddle pads rather than risk having the fungus come back from being in the old pads. had a great visit today with my very first riding instructor – i haven’t seen her in 35 years! tomorrow we’re going to a Renn Faire where i will get to see live Jousting for the first time. also grateful to be catching up on sleep – it’s not entirely a bad thing to have some enforced rest days – fretting won’t help anything so it makes more sense to be grateful for the upsides of this situation.
5.May – sitting out tomorrow as well, waiting out the storm (which hasn’t been as bad as i’d been anticipating – but the herd and i all really did need a real rest!) then heading out Tuesday morning towards Summertown, TN and probably north from there…
3.May – day one of a blessed 3 day rest. Ponies in a 100 acre pasture with a creek 5 miles east of Waynesboro. I’m in a cabin in the woods w/ no cell ‘phone or internet access – came up the hill on a borrowed ATV to check in and get some food for Snooper, a funny little “loaner dog” that i’m thrilled to have as a companion for a few days. Planning to ride out again on Monday morning, assuming – the storm is past by then.
2.May – yesterday a long day – much construction on my route so i took a back road which turned into a jeep trail – which eventually led me back out to a road (the very one i was aiming for, exactly where i wanted to be – but the last 1/4 mile i was riding IN the creek! landed in a sweet spot behind an old barn, ponies tethered on good grass. time to pack and ride out – looking for a place to take a day or two of rest with the herd as this will be day 5 in a row of making miles and there’s a spell of bad weather forecast.
30.April – getting very warm weather lately – ponies and Rhydr a bit grumpy with it. We will adjust. Tonight i’m in a comfy bed in Olive Hill, TN with the ponies tethered out mowing and fertilizing the lawn. Yesterday afternoon we were offered a ride across the Tennessee River into Savannah, TN which came with accommodations, all most gratefully accepted. Trying to ride on the sunny days so we don’t have to on the stormy days. The last stormy day was spent tenting in a back yard with a dead dog. Yet another story for the book! It beat dodging the lightning…
25.April – mounted escort today across 4 farms and into tennessee! beautiful weather, great ride on back roads, warm welcome into state #8! Ponies in a paddock w/ good hay and tomorrow we ride out early since a storm is predicted late in the day.
e-mail: freerangerodeo@gmail.com (best bet for photos and/or large files of any sort)
sea-g-rhydr@juno.com (Sea G Rhydr)
diviinehammer@hotmail.com (Gryph Wulfkil)
cell ‘phone: 518-390-8481 (Sea)
I will try and update this page each time I get on line – keeping it as current as possible.
Hi Sea, Griphin, This is Mary and we met you thurs nite with Frank and Ruthie Reed at the fairgrounds in Hanford. I called the Hanford paper and if they can find you they want to do a story about your trip. Maybe they can get a hold of you from here. They are going to call me tomorrow and I’ll let them know your route. I want to follow your blog as much as possible and if my cats approve ~ I’ll have some fun, Right now I have too many on my lap to do anything. In my rescue orginazation I specialize in newborn babies that have lost their cat moms, ( bottle babies ) handicapped & hospice. All these guys like to be held all the time. Good luck this week. I’ll talk later. ~ Mary and The Safaricats
I was wondering if you guys have found a place to stay for the night yet?
Looking forward to meeting you both. I am going to contact our local papers and see if they are interested in your story. I can also help with those care packages….I make some pretty good jerky!
Hi! Im Karen from the Maricopa Post Office…We met the other day when I found you the place to stay at my co workers place….I heard you were sick and Im so sorry to hear that you are both very nice girls and so brave to be doing this. I hope you can start your journey again soon and wish you all the luck in the world on your travels..If you need any thing that I can help you with please call at the old PO 661-769-8415..It was a pleasure to meet you both…
Karen
Dear family and friends of the Free Range Rodeo,
I was among those who were fortunate enough to run into Gryph and Sea in the Los Padres National Forest this past weekend and I am following up on a request of theirs to update you all on their status. As of around mid-day on Sunday January 8th, the Free Range Rodeo (all accounted for) set up camp at Willett camp at one of the cabins near the hot springs, and seemed to be in good spirits. Such good spirits even seemed to be present among the horses (who were rolling playfully around in the dirt.) Their plan was to continue through the sespe creek trail after spending some time at Willett. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I hope the two of you find everything that you are looking for and more.
“Life is a journey, not a destination.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Sincerely,
Jake Smargon
Hi Jake,
Thank you so much for posting this update. It’s great to know that everyone in the herd is doing well.
Jenna – Sea’s sister.
Hey Gryph and Sea,
What a treat running into you ladies this Monday. Am so impressed by your courage to take on such a tremendous undertaking! You inspire me to want to pursue my greatest dreams in life also.. I think you are amazing individuals and feel honored to have had the opportunity to meet such strong and courageous women. You have just begun your journey, and already you are becoming more like the tree than its fruits
Blessings on your continued journey,
Blake
Love you both! Enjoy your adventure!
Hola. ….
Yeah,my friend and I met you this after noon(20th.st. west & ave. E).
After reading your blog, I wish that I could have been more help.I would really get in touch with that woman
that will “trail angel”you thru the AV and help you navigate the Mojave Desert.Going east like you are doing is rugged country.The good news is that you are doing it at the right time of the year.I’m sure you will get the positive vibe on whats best from cats you meet along the way.You are going to trip when you get to Joshua Tree Nat.Park.Its a ways yet but it will be a cool goal to make.
Nice meeting you.Best to your intrepid spirit.
Peace…..
Skip Newton
It was a Pleasure getting to know you & helping you on your journey! I cannot wait to see your story on book…maybe even a movie, someday!
Best of Luck & keep in touch.
*Working on those things we talked about!
Sea and Gryph,
We are routing for you here in North Miami! Spreading the word as time and opportunity allow. Happy trails, Love Safety and Blessings be yours!
Leon & Mikki
Hello Sea and Gryph – what fun it was to meet you at the Llano Community Association potluck on Saturday. Thank you for giving my daughter Georgia her first horse ride this morning. She can’t stop talking about riding Jesse James bareback. My parents, my aunt and I are all excited to follow your journey on this blog. Meeting you two has stirred up our imaginations and our conversations too!
Joyous blessings,
Claire Fitiausi
So….I am the gal who stopped on the road (165th Street East) in Llano because I am very curious and wanted to get the scoop on these lovely ladies and their horses! I put my last Peruvian mare down over 4 years ago and my corral was filled with weeds….so having these 4 lovely ponies has been a great pleasure and now my corral is free of weeds! We have had an outstanding time with Sea and Gryph….kindred spirits on this earthly plane….and we wish them the happiest of trails, abundant health for them and their ponies, lots of friendly encounters with generous people, and lots of smiles and hugs! May your trip exceed any expectations you may have! Lots of hugs from Connie (Constancia) and Robert!
I am glad u found a place. I did not know how to contact you since I only had Sea’s number. I had located a place for u too. Have a safe trip.
Cindy
Hey yall I feel blessed to have been here for yall when I was, I only wish I could have been a better host. I’ll see if I can make up for it down the road. If I hit some gold or sell a meteorite I’ll make it up to ya Sea, Gryph, and Fox, Thanks for blessing this place with yall’s company, couldn’t have ask for a better crew of guests…
Thanks for stopping in Vidal we had fun.good luck in your travels
I am so sorry i missed you down at the hot springs. some times time just gets away from me. i will be doing an article on you and your travels and direct people to your blog. good luck, be safe and travel swiftly. you are a brave woman to make this long journey on your own. let me know if i can help you in the future.
Hi Sea,
Its Lynn….Hope Cowgirl and Daisy are settled into there New Homes and doing well ……My Gelding The ” Postman” missed them ,i’m still looking for a small 14-15 Hand Black Gelding, thats BoomProof, Beginner Safe …to be his Buddy. I know it sounds SILLY but must be Black (my daughters pony that passed was Black, its her wishes to have another Black Small Horse/Large Pony. )….I give you lots of credit for moving forward on your own… I think every Day you will get stronger and Stronger …and in the end it will be twice as Rewarding you did it yourself , Thats a big accomplishment ! Well feel free to call …if you want to chat i love to hear from you…..Thinking of you and the Herd….. Stay Safe. Thanks for the Hay Contact … i will be tryin them for the next truck load.
Dear Sea, Enjoyed our lunch and Walmart run yesterday. Heard of a bear attack near of Payson yesterday. Be careful. Also a story that was a reminder not to camp near Mc Nary. Take care and I’ll be praying for safe travels. Judy Cole
mt friend lela called me here in carrizozo new mexico and told me about this lady riding across the south with 2 horses. said you are currently in either quamado or silver city. i’m going to mark your page and maybe if you are somewhere i can stop and visit i’ll make a couple day trip.
my addy is czojeff@yahoo.com
Thank you for today’s update!!!! Was about ready to call the forest service… glad to know all are well. – kt
Hi. We enjoying meeting you at the San Antonio Springs in the Jemez Mountains last Monday evening. Good luck!
It was good to hear about your progress. Beautiful country – great pictures of New Mexico. Glad that you are well. We were kind of wondering for a while how it was going. Sorry to hear that your Forest Service experience wasn’t like what you found in Show Low. No maps available, ugh. I have talked to two different people friends who saw you going thru Show Low over on Porter Mt. Rd. Keep up the good travels. Barbara
I met you just outside of Nazerath!! I’ll be praying for you & your ponies
Have a safe trip to Tulia!!
Hello, A very nice lady named Pia gave us your web site address, because she thought that we could possibly enjoy learning more about you. We are impressed with your journey and excellent attitude on life. We understand that you are busy, but please do feel free to say hello if you like. I think we share a lot in common. Have safe & fun evening!
Sincerely, Lisa & Mike
Hey Sea!
I have been enjoying following your progress – and it seems you are heading in my direction soon-ish! We would love to meet you/see you/have you over if indeed you come near our neck of the woods (memphis, tn)! Not sure how to get in touch with you about that…?
Love,
Cousin Katie
Free Range Rodeo in the news last week! With photo:
http://www.swoknews.com/news-top/local/item/2682-hoofin-it-cross-country
Glad to see you’re making your way through Texas, even in the cold. Enjoying seeing you two while you were in Austin. Keep posting.
Ouch! Feel better, Sea! Thinking of you!
It was so great to meet you Sea! I will talk to you soon!
Just met them at Grant Hardware in Colfax,La. She told us about her journey, good luck and be safe
David and I are thinking of you and the ponies! Happy and safe trails!
I know we have wolves in SE Texas. So, you may have very well heard some. Red Wolf maybe?
So glad to have met you in Colfax, La. You have been an inspiration to me and look forward to following you along your journey. Goodluck to you, safe travels!
Yay, Yay, Yay! So very glad Katie found another mule! Y’all be careful crossing that bridge! Thinking of you as always!
Keep your head up and your eye on the prize…so to speak! I know it is a loss in loosing Katie and Walter. You made a friend for life and that is something to be grateful for. Following your blog everyday! See you on the other side! Minot, Maine! LC and DC in Texas
Hi Sea: Glad to hear that Mr. James is better. Best of luck on your journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary from Potts Camp