Honduras was one of the countries that I feared the most crossing on my Long Ride home. I judged it based on newspaper articles and statistics, which make it out to be a dark killing machine. Boy was I wrong.

What I found in this beautiful country was an overwhelming amount of support and love! Everyday I was accompanied by riders, stopped on the side of the road for pictures, and treated like family. I didn’t have to sleep in my tent for one night in Honduras. Not one night! Every evening families from all over the country opened their homes for the horses and I. I will never forget their generosity.

In Santa Barbara, Dona Maria, a Brazilian living in Honduras for several years, made me feel like we were back home. Over a delicious mid afternoon coffee with buttered bread, we got to know each other.

“You don’t understand how happy I am to meet a young man doing such a brave thing,” she told me as I sipped my coffee.

Donna Maria helped me out so much, I can’t thank her enough. Before we parted ways, she gave me a crucifix to keep me safe.

“My mother gave me this when I was 15 and I want you to have it,” she said as tears filled her eyes.

Dona Maria sponsored a truck ride for Bruiser to go to Tegucigalpa safe and sound so he could rest and recover. I feel blessed to always meet the most wonderful people along my route.

“I know you will get to Brazil safe with your three beautiful horses but right now you must have patience and take care of Bruiser because he has brought you a long way,” Donna Maria said.