Day 24: Sally - 26km

Dickison’s in Riceville to Sally’s in Wakefield

We had a nice early start leaving Annie, Andy, Sharon, Chris and Heather’s. Mostly because we were wise enough to pack as much as we could the night before, and Annie was driving the majority of our packs ahead. The ride was so beautiful. We were along the Saint John again most of the ride. The sun was out and reflecting on the water, lush green hills of forest and farms on either side, it was better than I could imagine.

Jewel and I were in our groove and the day passed quickly. With the sun out and our music and yummy sandwiches thanks to Joseph, we had a fun day and were excited to stay with Sally. We arrived before 4pm which was amazing, and made it feel like a whole extra day off.

We met Sally there, who was just as excited to have us, and Sarah, who helps Sally around the farm. Sally was beyond generous to us. Being a horse owner and competitive jumper, she had acquired a lot of horse gear over the years, and was happy to give us saddle pads, sheepskin pads, back on track gear, all sorts of first aid and cooling gels. She helped us mcguiver a bareback pad-like system for Ora, and also gave us a whole tub of electrolytes!

It felt like a day off because we had arrived before

4pm, and didn’t get in from the barn till later.

We all had a lot of laughs and interesting discussions about vegetarianism, and farming. Joseph and Sally put together an incredible dinner. Eggplant parm and portabello mushrooms. Sally had texted me earlier in the day saying “What’s your favourite home cooked meal? I’ll make it!” Joseph Jewel and I all groaned in excitement and hunger and disbelief! Sally had done a bike tour in Europe, and so she totally understood how we felt. She also offered us each a double bed, shower and laundry.

Sally had such a warm, loving light coming from her. Another one of the women we’ve met that really felt like a mom to us. She is so so passionate about her horses, and you can tell she could just spend all day in the barn with her horses. In the face of people that didn’t understand that horses were more than a hobby, Sally pursued her dream and has the most beautiful barn with happy horses. You can feel it when you walk on the property, into a barn and house, the energy of the people that live there, and Sally’s bright warmth was everywhere.

It was the first time this whole trip I was up past 1am, talking and laughing with Sally, Joseph and Sarah who had opened some maple whiskey. We were going to be sad to leave this place in the morning.