I shut my eyes. My alarm goes off. Is this a joke?
It’s just after 6:00am and I am brushing my teeth. I look at myself in the mirror – I look tired. Today is the most important day of the journey thus far. Today, I will attempt to cross the first imaginary line of the trip. The first of many borders to come.
I shove all of my belongings in my exploding backpack and begin the first leg of the day’s trek – A 40 minute walk to the barn where my horses are staying in Cardston, Alberta.
The walk is beautiful. Deer run around the fields next to me as the sun makes its way up the sky. The mountains glow red. By the time I arrive at the Agrodome my back is drenched with sweat.
I grab the ponies, tack them up and fill my water bottles. It’s just after 7:00am now and it’s already hot… Going to be a scorcher, again!
Before I take off I decide to ask for some protection. The day before while visiting with Child Protection Services on the Blood Reserve, I was given two braids of sweet-grass. In Aboriginal culture the sacred plant is used for peace and protection.
“Burn the end and use your hands to cover your head with the smoke 5 times. Then ask for protection from your god,” the Chief’s whife Rhonda Weasel Head told me.
She said I should do this when I feel scared in order to keep bad spirits away. Less than 24 hours later, here I am trembling at the idea of entering the United States riding two horses. It was meant to be.
With my horses behind me I kneel on the soft grass and do just as instructed. I cover myself with the smoke from the sweet-grass and pray to the Universe for protection.
After 4 hours riding with the immense “chief mountain” on my right I find myself at the border-crossing. Five cars separate me from the little window where passports are exchanged for entry stamps. My heart is racing faster than a formula one car. As the line moves slowly people take photos of Bruiser, Frenchie and I in disbelief. Soon enough it is our turn.
I get off Bruiser and lead the horses up to the window. The immigration officer looks at me and says, “Please tell me you have papers for your horses.” I smile back and say “yes, sir,” as I hand him their health papers. He looks relieved. Another officer walks outside with his iPhone to capture the moment.
“Man, no one has ever ridden across this border before,” he says as he points the phone towards us. This makes me feel a lot calmer. I thought they would be rigid and intimidating. Instead they are full of smiles and loving the experience!
The officer takes my passport and the horse papers and asks me to tie them by the parking lot and step inside the building. I find a shady spot and tie the boys up.
After 30 minutes filling out a form for the horses my passport is stamped and we are ready to go. I can’t believe it. The moment I dreaded for the past week went so well. So smoothly.
With 1 country down and 11 to go, I ride away from the border and into Blackfeet Nation. My excitement quickly disappears as I travell in the extreme heat the United States is currently experiencing. The heat off the pavement is so intense I feel like I am going to collapse before the day is over. I walk the majority of the time after crossing the border to give Bruiser a break. If It’s extremely hot for me, it’s double that for him.
Just as I think I am about to melt from the heat I spot my lay-over for the night. It feels like finding a pool in the middle of the desert. I walk up Gus and Traci Vaile’s driveway and give the horses some much needed water. After they have drank I sip from the hose just as vigorously as they had their bucket seconds before. Water is life. And seconds after this much needed drink we all feel much better 🙂
Gus and Traci are rodeo superstars with championship buckles and saddles found in every corner of their beautiful home. Not only have they opened their house for my ponies and I, Traci gets on the phone and starts setting up the next places where we will stay.
“Okay so tomorrow you will stay with Dick and Barbie Powell then Steve and Jackie Conway…” Traci tells me as she hands me a paper with their contacts.
This has been the way the entire journey through Montana has been. Ranchers and Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls not only hosting me extremely well, but making sure my next home is secured before I leave their places. It has been nothing short of unbelievable. I can’t even begin to explain all of the help and support we have received here in Montana!
SPECIAL THANKS TO Smiley Kittson & Family, Kathy Murphy & Patrick Greany, Dick & Barbie Powell, Steve and Jackie Conway, Bobbi & Dan Levine, The Broken Pick Ranch, Inn Dupuyer Bed & Breakfast, Tim Gill, Brian Anderson & Copper Spring Ranch and the many others who have helped Bruiser, Frenchie and I get to Helena, Montana!
COOL FACTS
– Saw a Grizzley Bear outside of Augusta… Almost had a heart attack.
– Took a picture of a huge rattle snake by Wolf Creek
-Washed my Wrangler Jeans after wearing them from Cardston, Alberta to Helena, Montana for the first time today! lol Since I sent the Pack Saddle ahead I have been travelling with a small backpack. Couldn’t fit another pair of pants… People let me wash my clothes at their house, but I didn’t have anything else to wear while the pants washed. Bought a pair of shorts from K-Mart 🙂 Pants look brand new!!!
