Long Rider Updates

Well, it's Friday - hooray! Of course, now that the weekend is arriving, the sunny days are gone and the snow started falling again. I'm sure it'll be beautiful again by Monday.

I've just finished posting a letter sent by Bernice Ende, along with a couple of pictures that she sent. She's still doing very well, and last we heard Bernice, Honor and Claire were preparing to enter the desert region on their way to Barstow, CA. Make sure you check out Bernice's newest Thoughts from the Trail.

On a more somber note, Daniel Robinson is still imprisoned in India, and his appeal hearing has once again been postponed. The new hearing is scheduled for March 20th - hopefully we'll have more news then. If you haven't been following the English Long Rider's story, please do. If after reading the story of his plight you could kindly sign the petition for his freedom, Daniel and his family would greatly appreciate it. There is a link to the petition at the above link. Please note that you do not need to donate any money when you sign the petition. It is optional, and the money goes to the petition website, not to Daniel.

English Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, imprisoned in India

I'd like to thank all of you for your words of encouragement to Bernice Ende during her 5,000 long ride. The outpouring of support has been tremendous, and is greatly appreciated by Bernice, Honor and Claire. They are nearing Barstow, California on the final long push back to Trego, Montana. All is well, and I've posted some images taken in Bagdad, Arizona sent by some of her many fans.

Less fortunate is the English Equestrian Long Rider, Daniel Robinson, who has been imprisoned in the remote Pursari Jail in India. Daniel was attempting to retrace the ancient Tea Horse Trail, a bone-breaking track stretching thousands of miles from western China, up and over Tibet and down into the distant plains of India. Daniel left England for this magnificent journey over a year ago. His journey began in the company of a group of Tibetans, along the ancient Tea Caravan Trail from China to Lhasa, Tibet. He left Lhasa alone, on foot, with two horses, and covered over 3,000 kilometers through the Himalayas.

Suffering from exhaustion, malnutrition, and near hypothermia, Daniel stopped at the top of the Himalayas so that he and the horses could rest. Realizing that he could go no further without food and help for his horses, one of which was in foal, Daniel headed down toward the Indio-Tibetan border. He turned himself in to a military encampment just above Josimoth at the end of October.

Almost immediately he was arrested and his horses taken into military custody. He was transported to Pursari Jail, outside Gopeshwar. There he sat for over two months, enduring intensive interrogation from four different security services, treated like a common criminal while he awaited the long and arduous process of his case being brought to trial. His health was, and is, broken. He suffered a bout of pneumonia and a kidney infection and, since he is also asthmatic, prison conditions are inevitably and inexorably effecting his health.

At first, Dan was told he may spend up to a year in prison. Now, he may face up to 10 years. The fate of the horses is not yet known, although Dan has been told that he may petition the Indian government for them once he is released.

Please visit the Free Dan website to read more about Dan's plight and sign the petition requesting his release. His next appeal has been moved to March 10th. CuChullaine and Basha O'Reilly of the Long Rider's Guild have also been releasing updates and petitioning for his release.

Long Rider Bernice Ende Outwaits the Weather in Crown King

Bernice has been an avid weather watcher, and the recent snowstorms have practically shouted, "Stay put!". So, Bernice, Claire and Honor have been enjoying the tranquility and hospitality of Crown King, Arizona. The now-living ghost town is located in the pine-laden forest of the Bradshaw Mountains, in the Prescott National Forest approximately two hours from Phoenix to the south, and Flagstaff to the north.

They'll stay in Crown King just until there's a break in the weather, then they're off to Prescott, where they will take a much deserved two-week rest. Read Bernice's latest letters, postcards and journal entries.

Albuquerque to Reserve

Bernice has sent us another letter! It’s always quite the treat to receive a letter from Bernice on her grandiose adventure through the United States as she rides with her horse, Honor, and dog, Claire.

Her current letter details the ride from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Reserve, New Mexico, where she braves snowstorms and temperatures below zero through the hospitality of those she has never met. It is amazing that people can be exceedingly kind to strangers, trusting them and understanding their situations. Bernice finds this compassion again and again. Perhaps people find the humanity in their hearts for Bernice because she is so polite, even likening asking someone to use their computer to rudely talking on a cell phone in a restaurant.

Bernice tells us that Claire, Honor, and she are doing well. She even says she’s received a number of compliments on the condition of Claire and Honor! She maintains her wellness on a mere $20 to $25 a week!

For her next journey, Bernice has been approached about a trail from Missouri to Oregon! She says, however, that we will see. Only time will tell to see if she continues to her exciting adventures. For now she continues her adventure to Stafford, Arizona along Highway 78.

We hope to hear from her as soon as possible, and as always we’ll keep you updated on the latest happenings.

READ BERNICE'S LETTER!

News from the Trail

We finally received word from Bernice, who is doing well and slowly but surely making her way toward Arizona. She truly is an amazing woman, having made her way from Northwestern Montana to Minneapolis, then rode from Minneapolis to her current location in mid-southern New Mexico. I've written a summary of her most recent letter; for the complete entry, please see our updated "Where's Bernice" web page.

Bernice, Honor (her horse) and Claire (her dog) actually are enjoying the New Mexico winter, as it brings shorter days, cooler riding weather, and a relief from bugs. She does confess that she loves her evening fire, and has to bring the water bottles into the blankets with her to keep them from freezing.

She spent Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, New Mexico with family and friends, and enjoyed a planned three week "vacation". From there, she started her next 800-mile stretch. First main stop, Madrid, NM. Once there, she spent another (planned) rest week with the Adlers. Last we heard, she was well on her way toward Arizona.