Abe Friesen in St. Claude Manitoba for his hospitality on the way home. Dirk and Paul report that they have been treated very well at Mr. Friesen’s place. They expect to be home in Toronto by Thursday eveing…
Happy Trails!

Dirk just texted me and told me that he and Chevy have finished their momentous trek! Wow we are so proud of them. Everyone call or email the CBC and tell them they have to interview Dirk!.
They are resting up at Hawkeye Stables for a couple of days before heading back home! Thanks to Jim and Celeste at Hawkeye Stables in Pincher Creek, price they have been very helpful to Dirk.
Congratulations!

Olga & Jos Engel from Bridesville, stomach BC, WW Ranch:

Dirk stayed at our place in the night to August the first, and he took of on the next morning heading to Osoyoos in Okanangan Valley. The weather ist hot and humid. The heat makes both of them suffer a bit. we wish them all the best for the rest of the tour. We hope he will stop here on his way back for a coffee or another stay. They will get a hearty welcome. Olga

I was speaking with Dirk briefly today and he is in great spirits. The end is very much in sight for this long journey which began way back on May 2. Paul, who started the trip with Dirk is leaving on Saturday with the trailer to bring Dirk and Chevy home when they finish.
He is finding living off the land very easy right now as he approaches the Okanagan. Fish is plentiful as well as all thypes of berries and fruit such as apples and pears. Not to mention of course all of the meals that people have so generously shared with him to over the course of his trip!
He has just finished one of the hardest parts of the trip, the short-cut he took through the Salmo pass. There wasn’t too much grass for Chevy and because he had to walk the horse much of the way, Dirk’s feet are quite blistered.
As he was coming down from the pass , Dirk saw a baby black bear drinking from a stream about 5 metres away from him. He didn’t stop to take a picture he just got out of there. Mama bear was no doubt nearby and they are very dangerous. He’s seen plenty of deer and moose on the road but not one single sheep.

Watch out for the blog of Jeff and Corinne Olsen

Hello, Corrine and I had the great pleasure of meeting Dirk and putting him and Chevy up for the night. What an amazing quest he is on, with the end in sight which I believe he is looking forward to, really an inspiration to anyone. He swaggered into our driveway late afternoon after being in the bush for the last 2 or 3 days coming over from Rossland, he was thirsty, stiff and hungry but looking strong, if you could see past the dust and dirt. We spent the evening sitting around outside enjoying cold beer, some food and Dirk’s accounts of his trip and life. What a sensible and positive outlook on life he has, refreshing to meet someone like him. This morning he rolled out of our tack room just before 6, ripe and ready to roll, we had coffee, eggs, toast and some left over halibut from the previous night, loaded up Chevy and away he went with the intent of making Greenwood tonight about 40 km.
We live on the Kettle River on 5 acres in Christina Lake, a small hobby farm with horses, sheep and chickens, it was our great fortune to meet Dirk and wish him the best on all he does.

Regards Jeff and Corinne

Jeff Olsen
Paramedic Chief
Station 408 Grand Forks
see photographs on the gallery page

Who would have thought that this trip would have turned out so well? From that first morning near Coldwater when I encountered you emerging from your beds under the tarp, prescription having endured a very wet and thunder-filled night until now when you are so close to the end. My heartiest congratulations to the riders as well as their two wonderful horses…you are to be commended! Well done! I have followed your route via the blog…I was in Pincher Creek in late June and told everyone I knew that you would be coming through…I hope that this is only the beginning of many more wonderful adventures for you.
Cheers
Wendy Gibbs
Moonstone

Jane has received new pics from the trail and posted them in the gallery. Some cool scenic shots from Alberta and British Columbia. So watch out for them!

July 15, 2010
I spoke with Dirk today and he was in a fabulous mood as it was a bright sunny day and he was riding into the mountains. He gave a very cowboy-like whoop as further expression of his happy mood. I could hear Chevy’s hooves on the roadway as we spoke and heard her sneezing too as if she was seconding everything he said. Chevy’s saddle sore is well on its way to healing and she is in very good spirits as well. Dirk is enjoying some noteriety as a woman stopped him on the roadside and gave him some fresh peas and carrots. She had seen a story about him on a Calgary television station.
He is approaching Jaffray, British Columbia where he has plans to stay the night. He is hoping to be in Cranbrook, BC by Saturday. If all goes according to plan, this grand adventure will be coming to an end in early August. Stay tuned!

Sunday, no rx July 11, 2010.

I was speaking to Dirk this morning and he is currently resting up a bit with Chevy before tackling what may prove to be a very challenging last leg of the journey. The saddle sore that Chevy had became larger and infected. Dirk went into all sorts of gross detail in his description of the sore…nevermind! As he was riding he saw a sign for Hawkeye Stables in Pincher Creek. He rode there and met the owners Jim and Celeste. Not only were they able to put Dirk and Chevy up for the night, but Jim helped to clean the wound that had opened up and administered some pennicillin to Chevy. They will rest for a few days before starting off into the Rocky Mountains. Dirk was again amazed by the generosity and hospitality of this couple. He is very grateful for the care and knowledge with which they have treated Chevy and notes that she is healing well. He wanted to share a little bit of the history of Jim’s family as they are also of German descent.

In 1862 Charles Conrad Schoening landed in 1862 in Ottawa from Germany having travelled on the ship the Ladysmith Quebec…he then went to the Eastern States and ended up travelling to Washington State by horse. At Big Bend Columbia River he crossed into Canada through the Kootenay and Akima Passes and landed in Waterton Park in 1883 started a what is now Hawkeye Stables in Pincher Creek.

Dirk sends a very big thank you out to Jim and Celeste and encourages people to come out and visit them and experience a trail ride into the spectacular mountains.

Is there anyone in BC who knows the trails and wants to join Dirk as he passes through the Rockies they are welcome to. Just send a note to info@gowestyoungmen.com and I’ll get you in touch with him.

While Dirk stayed in Stirling at my barn, search my grandson met him and now Dirk is a hero to Brody. A cool situation and a mark of a good man. Keep ridin and I hope you make it.