Initial Thoughts

I'm somewhat impressed at how fast the idea has taken hold with me. I went from imagining one night away from home camp to plotting an 11 day ride in no time. Certain questions have grounded my process a bit though.

Simple questions come easy, but are quickly replaced with day-dreamed solutions. Images of dried hay cubes, zip-locked grain bags and questions about grazing come flooding in after wondering about how I'd feed a horse for 11 days without a pack horse.

The question of whether my 22 year old horse can or should make an 11 day ride is followed by the realization that he's not getting any younger. You know, the "Now or never" concept. "How will I know how he's doing?" is met with well-heeded thoughts of learning the vet-check basics used in Endurance riding. Seems like if I answer the challenge, I'd get me and my horse in condition, learn more about ascertaining the health of both of us and undergo a serious crash-course in "packing light." I'll also combine a huge sense of accomplishment with 2 weeks in the woods. Sounds great!

What could go wrong?

Well, as I've hinted at, there are plenty of obstacles. I want to structure this so that many different results can be considered successful. Whether we do a 3 or 5-day trip or the full-monty, I think it will be a fun and rewarding process.

Maybe we ride halfway to meet a full camp with wife, tent and trailer and decide then what's next? Time will only tell, but it's the first day of the new year, and I'm going to do some overnight riding this year. Stay tuned to find out whether I end up camping in my backyard or along the Shore to Shore trail of the Great Lakes State of Michigan.

The Planted Seed

Well, it's happened. As it happens, when I like an idea, the daydreaming starts and the big ideas start to unfold. After being introduced to horses several years ago, my and my wife's understanding and appreciation for horses has grown rapidly. The last year or so has been particularly formative, putting down our barns 35 y.o. patriarch and acquiring a 3 year old Mare. It's also been peppered with considerably more riding, including lessons, trail riding and horse camping.

Those experiences whet my appetite and created the day dream of some overnight trips with only what I can bring on my horse. Mentioning my goal of doing "a leg or two" of Michigan's "Shore to Shore" trail has been met with encouragement. Recently, after sharing it with my friend who happens to be a gear editor for an outdoor magazine, she replied - "We oughta do it!"

I just did some research and discovered it's 200 some miles across with essentially 11 sections. I've spent the last several hours imagining what I could or couldn't fit in saddlebags. Thinking through scenarios like what we'd eat, how we'd sleep and how in the world I'd feed my horse for 11 days.

I don't know whether or not I'll try to tackle the whole trail or not. It's completely ridiculous that I'm even considering it. I have a more than full-time job that I am passionate about, a musical project (band) that I expect to get off the ground this spring/summer and of course have been preaching to myself about taking it easier this year.

I thought it would be an interesting process to capture the whirlwind of my process, so I'm going to write. I'll probably write a separate account of the band, and guess what, I essentially already have one for the full-time gig.

I figure it might make a good read, and could even be a good place for me to sort out decisions and day dreams.