Day 37: No Means Keep Moving

Saint Modest Campground to Remi's in Saint Antonin

So I remember 3 things about this day.

Heres the first...

We we're making our way through Riviere Du Loup, lots of stores, its like a mini city. The horses were doing good. Katie and I transitioned between riding on their backs and walking on our feet. We came around a tight bend when my maps told me we had to turn. Uh.. where? There was either these stairs that led underground or a dirt road that ended. I listened to the maps though and we back tracked a bit to turn where it said. It was only like 50 metres but we had just made this tight turn with cars going close by so we weren't happy when we then had to cross the street. We did though, only to realize the maps meant for us to go down the stairs under a tunnel. Sometimes I forget that google maps doesn't accommodate our horses. I study the map and find a way we can go that will get us back on track. Katie was frustrated, understandably. I should have looked at the maps more carefully before having to cross back and forth through busy streets with drivers that have 0 care in the world. Just before we cross under a small bridge, a train comes. How wonderful!!!! PERFECT timing!!!! 2 of Ora's favourite things are bridges and trains, she just goes nuts over 'em. Literally.

We take a few steps under a bridge with a train going right over us and cars still squeezing by us. Ok, its okay, the horses are fine, just stay calm. Breathe. I must have forgot to breathe, because Ora felt my unsteadiness and yep, she went nuts. When she gets spooked she likes to run right on to the road. Luckily I was riding her, because I have better control, but then Lux got scared while Katie was leading him. They both start running so Ora starts running even faster, all the while she keeps trying to turn on the road. We finally get out from underneath the bridge and there go my packs! I hop off to go get them but Katie yells "Leave them!" so I do. We quickly catch up with them so Ora would calm down. Katie spotted a grassy area on the other side of the road, where we could safely regroup. We were at a 3 way stop intersection with a cross walk. Katie looked both ways, cars are stopped so she steps off the sidewalk. Apparently pedestrians don't matter here? A car goes zooming by, just missing the two of them! "Are you @%$^* kidding me?!" I wish Katie said a lot more.

Finally people decide to let us cross. We make it to the grassy area where Katie holds the horses and I went back to get my packs. Again, I had a hard time crossing. People just have to get to where there going and get there now.

I probably looked so funny. I was running down the sidewalk struggling to carry extremely heavy packs! I made it back safely and Katie and I both just laughed. The whole time actually I was laughing, I don't even know why cause it was not something to laugh about! After we reflected on what happened though we couldn't believe the drivers and how ignorant they are.

me feeling Oras pain ^

Ok heres the other thing I remember....

There were bugs, and we got attacked and got lots of bug bites.

And to end the day off, we end up at a farm that someone suggested we would probably be able to stay at. We ride up to 3 men, who see us but don't bother to approach us. Katie goes up to them and explains the situation. I couldn't understand what they were saying but he basically kind of laughed then told us we could go to a horse farm 1km a head. Alright, lets go.

We get to this farm that has no idea we are coming. The owner pulls up and although at first hesitant, (I don't blame him, two young people want to stay on his property), he shows us where we can set up camp. Thank goodness! We have a place to stay.

We get the horses situated and set up camp. Remi and his wife also gave the horses some much needed hay. And their kids were adorable!!

I was happily in bed by 8pm and the others weren't far behind.