Day 15: Never Ending. Ever. - 33km

With breakfast plans made the night before, we all got up early so we could get a few km in before it got to to hot. Mark and Ticket prepared a huge, delicious morning meal. We all ate outside and enjoyed the warm morning weather, since the past mornings have been pretty damp and frigid. The Gillans offered for us to take a rest day there, and as much as we would have loved to, we decided we should keep going. (we would later regret that decision.) ... (not really though because it is what it is and we met the amazing people we did)

We packed up, said our goodbyes to the family we only met 12 hours ago but felt like we've been forever friends, and headed down the road. Not 1km later we made a short pit stop at the elementary school. Some kids squealed and screamed but the horses were not phased and we enjoyed saying hi!

The sidewalk quickly faded and we were back to old highways with forest and fields on either side. The morning warmth turned to a boiling afternoon sun faster than we were prepared. Thank goodness for our buffs, sunscreen and water to help beat the heat. ('help' being the key word here.. nothing could really beat the heat)

A few people stopped by in their cars wishing us safe travels, while other people at their homes offered the horses water. We stopped almost every 1/2 hour to make sure they were hydrated and getting in enough grass. And we thank all the people who helped keep our horses healthy! There was definitely not enough puddles and streams for them this time 'round.

By 1pm, Joseph found the perfect lunch spot. The horses munched on grass and grain while we thoroughly enjoyed our amazing lunches made by Ticket. It was everything we needed and more!!! Both her and Mark even stopped by to drop off laminated signs they made! They are so well done. Honestly just the nicest people ever.

2 hours later, we continued on our way. We met some more cool people and eventually came up to the Welsford Volunteer Fire Hall who had water and a small crowd waiting for us! It was pretty awesome to ride up to that. It felt as if we were at the halfway point in a race, and theres a bunch of people cheering you on! After taking some pictures, letting the kids pet some sweaty ponies, and talking to everyone, we once again kept going.

We made a "quick" stop at an Irving. While Katie was buying some iced coffee, I was managing the horses. Ora decided to roll with ALL her packs, (she does this about once a day) and in me trying to get her back up, she accidentally kicked my leg. Instant puffy bruise, wonderful. Katie then lost her contact so there was another 10 minutes in shuffling around her packs to find her glasses.

I could go on and on about all the little things and how stinking hot it was, but ill just end with saying I didn't think we would make it. I was so ready to pitch a tent on the side of the road. I knew this trip would be hard, but until you live it, and are taken out of every comfort zone, you could never predict how you will feel.

Of course, even though our feet felt broken and we were drowning in black flies, we made it. The Eastons were ever so kind and patient as we rode up around 8:15pm. We got the horses settled, showered, ate (a very fulfilling dinner made by Fran, thank you!) and were off to bed.

I most certainly missed some stuff that happened, because it felt like a week, not one day. But all in all, I think it made us that much tougher and reminded us that nothing lasts forever. Also, we met more incredible people that made the day a little less difficult!