The Beginning - Launching the Great Ride

May 17th was rainy, cold and blustery. The launch was to start at 11 AM and although we got lost once, we arrived at 10:30 to set up. We strung a large tarp to an ice cream stand, plugged in our PA system and began. Noel Knockwood, a Micmac Spiritual Leader and Elder, began with a prayer in Migma and English while performing a Sweetgrass ceremony. The Rev. Glenn McLean of St. James United Church followed with a prayer. The Minister of Health Promotion for the Nova Scotia government, Hon. Chris Barnett, spoke about his government's concern for FASD. Deputy Chief of Police, Chris McNeil, spoke of his department's concern for FASD and their support of our Ride objectives. Dawn Sloane, Halifax City Counsellor, read the Proclamation.



Donna Scaglione sang O Canada as Steve rode Dash across the beach into the Atlantic. The Ride was officially started.











The Halifax City Mounted Unit escorted Steve and rider Scott Barker on a tour of downtown Halifax, ending at the Halifax Shopping Mall. Scott works at Hatfield Farm and is an actor, often performing the bad sheriff and acting with Tom Sellick.


In spite of the weather, many people turned out to watch from their cars and provide support. APTN filmed the proceedings. The launch was widely reported in the news papers and on radio.


May 18th we bid farewell to Brian Hatfield and his staff at Hatfield Farms.

At Enfield we stopped for lunch and the Irving Truck Stop Restaurant Manager announced our presence. People were most generous and encouraging. Steve rode Dash along the side of the Trans Canada. At a bridge, the road shoulder was too narrow to safely cross so he went down the embankment to cross a small river by some train tracks. While he was checking out the stream depth, a high speed passenger train suddenly appeared and went screaming by overhead. Dash was startled but they quickly recovered. Guessing there would not be another train immediately behind the first, Steve rode Dash quickly across the tressle. Back onto the Trans Canada, we picked up Steve at Milford, NS.

We drove to Truro and stayed overnight at the Truro Raceway in their new paddock barn. We visited the Horseman`s Club. One of the members, age 74, had been a hockey player in his younger days in Sudbury and played with Tow Blake. He mentioned another name and Steve immediately recognized is as an old friend he had worked with in Golden. The background was the same and they made contact. It is a very small world.

May 19th we hauled Steve and Dash back to Milford to continue the next leg of the Ride. A Nor'easter was howling with fog and an incredible amount of rain. Pure misery. It poured all day while they rode along Highway 2 with Claudia driving the van behind with flashing lights and our large purple and white flag flying from the trailer. 44 km later Steve rode into the center of Truro and we loaded Dash into the trailer at the Truro Curling Club Tuliip Festival.

Arlene and Tony Miller are our hosts in Truro at their horse farm on the mountain at Bible Hill. Wonderful people. A chance to get properly cleaned up and showered and laundry done.

May 20th Today we will go back the the Tulip Festival but riding will be limited. Large country breakfast. Steve is working the horses. Heavy rain this morning but some lightening of the skies in the afternoon.