Day 76: "Expensive" Water - 34km

Karen's in Kinburn to Stuarts in Renfrew

Stuart and his wife Marie had swung by the night before to drop off some cookies and cold drinks and give us a hand drawn map to their place. So by morning we were well prepared, with Stuart dropping by again to pick up our packs. We were going to be on trails and roads, and riding through Arnprior.

It was a hot one right from the get go, and we were happy to have kind people stop to give us cold bottles of water in the morning through town. After passing through Arnprior and meeting some people that had been following us online and wished us well and gave us some Dog Guide Donations, we were on the CN trail. It must have been 35 degrees with the humidity. Not a cloud in the sky. Because we were riding on the trail, it cut diagonally through farmers fields, and there wasn't many houses near by. The horses were thirsty, and the water we did have left was hot. So we stopped at Campbell Fuels. It was close to the trail, and I figured they would have a hose or water.

I went into the reception area. “Hi there, it's really hot outside and I was wondering if I could fill my water bottles, or if you had a hose I could give some water to my horses?” The lady looked at me. “No,” she said “we don't really have water that's good for drinking.” I was kind of surprised. “Even a bathroom tap we could just fill our bottles?” “It's not good for drinking, but we have drinking water in the back.” Great I thought. I had only brought in my one bigger water bottle which was half full still. It was one of those big water jugs with the cooler machine. I started filling my bottle up. “Could I go grab my other water bottles to fill up?” “No.. we pay for this water.” She said. I couldn't believe it. I was so stunned at being refused water I didn't have anything to say before she walked away. I was still shocked when she came back in and said “It must be really hot out there for the horses.” NO SHIT LADY! I just couldn't believe she wouldn't let me fill up our water bottles. Nothing but the sun beating down outside, two girls and two horses, and because you pay for your precious water jug, we couldn't fill our bottles. I'm also positive the money for the water doesn't come out of her pocket, but the companies. And how much does it cost them to let us fill up two more 8oz bottles!? A million things ran through my head that I wanted to say to her. Instead I just handed her a card. She asked where we were from, when I told her we came from Nova Scotia and were raising money for Guide Dogs, her heart didn't change. So I walked out of there.

I kept wanting to walk back in, tell her that as far as we had come in 76 days, not one person has refused us water, let alone on a 35 degree day with nothing else around. “Maybe theres another barn that you can stop at for water.” She had told me.

Fuming and upset Jewel and I left. Jewel's jaw dropped when I told her. We continued down the trail, only running into two bikers and a tractor. Stuart, who I'd been communicating with, luckily brought us a lunch and more water. I explained to him what happened with Campbell Fuels, and he went home, and brought us a huge trophe of water for the horses, who thirstily drank it.

It's crazy, you get someone like Stuart, who goes above and beyond to make our trip that day as easy and enjoyable as possible, and then you get the receptionist at Campbell Fuel's who is greedy about water! WATER! It's not like we live in a country where clean water is a limited supply, and difficult to get! It still boggles my mind.

We arrived at Stuarts, Jewel and Ora racing Lux and I to see who could get there first. Stuart had set up the most incredible paddock. It was huge, he put in steaks and wrapped wired fencing around trees. A soft forested paddock. He had gotten 5 bales of fine hay, mineral salt, regular salt, two bags of Sport XT, a huge water trophe, and even strung christmas lights above the paddock! He got us fly spray (complimentary of M&R feeds) when we needed some for all the bugs. He made sure we cooled off in the pool and brought us cool drinks. Marie went out and bought us portabello mushrooms and kale so we could make our favourite dinner. We had big lush double beds and a shower and everyone was as comfortable as could be. We met so many neighbours and locals who were excited to meet us. Earlier that day, Stuart had also contacted My FM radio, and they'd been announcing our arrival in Renfrew for the following day throughout the day and evening.

We went to bed exhausted and well cared for. It's amazing how different people are from one another. After meeting so many people on this trip, it makes sense we're all different, yet it still boggles my mind two people can differ so immensely when it comes to morals and values. I guess thats why theres so many problems in the world. Maybe if I'd communicated my needs to that lady, it would have been different. It's something I keep talking about doing, speaking my mind and standing up for what I believe. While also finding the balance of knowing when to not say anything and just walk away. Theres always a kind person around the corner.