Day 29: Hey Jude - 36km

Cynthia’s to Judes - 36km

Today felt like 2 days in 1, maybe three. I was up all

night in the barn because I was worried Lux was colicy. He’s been very gasey for a while, but the past two days it seemed worse, and he looked quite bloated and uncomfortable. i called Nikola Smith, a vet from Grimsby who helped us out a ton when we were in Grimsby, and she asked me some questions and told me just to touch base with a vet here just in case it got worse. Since I’ve never dealt with colic before, it felt reassuring to talk to someone that knew more. I did just what she said, and then we set up tent on the barn floor and I set my alarm. Before going to sleep, I did the Meridal Bladder touch on Lux, the massage Esther had taught me, and that practically put him to sleep.

I, on the other hand, did not sleep. I spent the remainder of the night in and out of the tent, waking at every little move the horses would make. I had to later apologize for my crankiness to Joseph and Jewel that morning. We were out of there before we could even say goodbye to our hosts, Cynthia and Greg.

We didn’t know where we were going to stay that night, but knew we were headed to Saint-Leonard. We met some men that suggested we head to farm called Violette, so we went on our way. Joseph rode ahead and was still waiting for the home owners to return home. Jewel and I were still on the old Trans Canada. We still had about 10km to go, and it was getting late. This SUV pulled up in front of us, and a lady got out. She offered us a place to say, we looked on the map, it was further, and a bit out of the way, but she was so kind we wanted to go there. We called Joseph, and he was told by the caretaker he shouldn’t be there. So we were off to Jude’s and Clairs on Chemin Grand-Riviere. 5 minutes after Jude took all our packs (we were so grateful as we had been walking on foot the past 16km) it started to rain. Just sporadic big drops, but we knew the storm could that had been following us all day was going to catch up with us. It started to down pour, big, heavy drops of rain, the sky darker than dusk. At first it was fun, exciting even too cool down from the hot day. But as the water drenched our clothes and the wind picked up we got colder. A truck infront of us was stopped, and they waved us up to their garage.

We met Josie and her brother,

They let us dry off in their garage. Josie ran out to get us Tim’s coffee and donuts, and dried our clothes in the drier. We had a nice time with them and it felt really great to meet other people that were enthusiastic about what we’re doing. I’d say 95% of the feedback we get about our trip is positive. And of course, human nature is to dwell on the negative. I’m constantly reminded to remember the good, when people like Josie and Jude pop up and offer us a warm place to stay, but mostly, positive energy. I’m learning to trust my gut feeling more and more, and the energy we feel from the people we are around is always to potent if I’m open to it. I can feel that I’ve gotten better at not getting sucked in to others judgements or energy or fears. Like working with horses, it’s important to remain calm, and not freak out with them. I’m finding the same true with people. Just because someone says “oh, thats really hard for your horse” or “oh, you’re not going very far or fast” doesn’t mean they know what’s best for my horse. Jewel has also taught me a lot just by the way she approaches situations. Yes, the horses have some saddle sores, and yes we are dealing with them promptly and to the best of our ability. But panicking, stressing, and crying over it is not going to make the sores heal. It is what it is. Each day can only be taken in stride. Today, the sores on Ora’s back have little new hairs growing back, and Lux’s skin is moist and healing well.

In our garbage bags and warmed up, we continued in a light rain. It was still another 16km to go, but Jewel and I had an amazing ride up to Grand-Riviere. The rain and stopped, leaving the earth in that state of cleanliness. The clouds opening up as if taking a deep breath, the evening sun filtering through and sparkling the grass fields and trees. It felt like we were riding somewhere in Switzerland. Hills on either side, the orange sun shining through a steeple on a hill. A small white church in the distance down the winding country road. Steam rising from the trees and off the pavement, our noses filled with the smell of wet pine and cooled earth.

Jewel and I talked about our friends back home and high school life. What it was like growing up in a school system were you feel like only those that are smart are praised in class, and being made to feel stupid if you don’t know an answer. We talked about how it’s hard to stand up for what you believe in, and even harder to stand up for yourself if you don’t know what you believe in. At 23, I feel I’m just starting to have a firm grasp of what I believe, and who I am, and then articulating it, living it. Jewel talked about how her friends laughed at her when she told them she was doing this trip, that other people told her she was “too young”. Yet here she is. I think sometimes the more remarkable the thing you do, the more people are going to want to put out your light. It’s a great test to brighten your light, instead of diminish it.

The minute we got to Jude and Clairs, they said “make yourself at home”. It was totally worth going out of the way and the extra 10km, just to not only hear those words, but feel them to be true. After going from a place where we felt out of place, taking up space, to, this home is your home, is a good feeling.

Meeting so many amazing people, Jewel and I agree, that we see the kind of women we want to be. We want to be like Sally, Josie, Jude and Ticket. Generous, loving and supportive.