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My name is Bob Skelding and I’m driving a wagon on a journey throughout the United States. My only goals are to see new places, meet plenty of nice people like yourself, and to enjoy this great country of ours like it’s meant to be enjoyed.
I started this trip in Deerfield, New Hampshire. I still don’t know exactly where I’ll end up, but I know I’m really going to enjoy the people and the places along the way. Come and share the journey with me.
Here’s a brief outline of my travels to date:
Trip #1: 8/08 to 2/09 - New Hampshire to Mississippi (1800 miles)
Accident - On 2/10/09 we were rear-ended by tanker truck traveling at 71 mph. The first wagon, pulled by four Percheron horses (3 mares and a gelding) was completely destroyed and Dolly and Deedee were killed. This required construction of a new wagon and purchase of a new team. I spent 4 months recovering before setting off on a new adventure, with a new wagon and a pair of Belgians to pull it.
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For those of you that have enjoyed the stories and pictures, you are welcome to donate, using the Paypal button below.
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Trip #2: 6/09 to 9/09 - Southern Indiana to Horse Progress Days, then to Michigan (1100 miles) This trip was in two parts and started in mid-state Indiana. When I started this journey, I still had a lot of broken bones moving around, so it acted as sort of a post-accident trial run. My team consisted of the Belgian Draft Horses, Bob and Bill. The wagon was sold to me by Bernie Harberts for the price of one Biscuit. With some help, I converted it into an RV.
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First Team and Wagon
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Trip #3: 11/09 to 10/10 The trip started in Indiana, going to Texas, New Mexico, then up the west side of the Rockies. (3200 miles) I was initially going to return to Indiana through southern Wyoming, but changed my mind. For this journey, I’m driving the Belgians, and Doc, the Percheron that was in the front-right position on the first journey. I have the same wagon as on the second trip, but I’m hauling a trailer behind it to carry supplies.
Trip #4 Starting 5/12 to 6/13 - This will be a great loop through the American west.
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New Wagon (under modification) & New Team in training
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Team & Wagon for Trips 3 & 4
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Purpose of My Journeys
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The sole purpose of these journeys is to travel by horse and wagon and meet people. I want them to share their experiences with me and I’ll share mine with them. I’m not supporting any cause, trying to achieve a goal, nor am I sponsored by anyone.
The reason I’m traveling in this fashion is because it combines all the things I like best and eliminates those I like least. Also, I can’t think of a cooler thing to do.
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Teams
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Team #1 - NH to MS
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The motive force for the wagon was originally four Percheron horses: Joyce, Deedee, Dolly and Doc. Percherons are one prominent large draft horse breeds in the United States. Other large draft breeds are Belgians, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches and Shires.
Joyce and Deedee are 15 years old, half sisters, and were bred by my grandfather Jake Sheaffer in Muir, Michigan. I’ve had them since they were weanling fillies. Dolly is 10 years old and was bred in Chichester, New Hampshire. I bought her just a few months before the trip began. I bought Doc at the last moment. He’s 8 years old (in 2008) and has been used for wagon rides, parades and horse pulls at the fair.
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Team #2 - Trip #2
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The new team consists of two Belgian geldings, Bill and Bob. They are half brothers, 11 and 12 years old (in 2009), weigh about 2000 pounds apiece and each stand about 18 hands high. The new wagon is significantly lighter than the old one so it requires a smaller team
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Team #3 - Trip #3 & 4
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After trip #2, I got Doc back, whom I originally thought couldn’t pull anymore. He was adopted out, then later returned to me. Along with Doc, I have the two Belgians. Usually I drive 2 horses and rest the third as he is ‘pony-ed’ behind the trailer.
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Wagons
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Wagon #1 - NH to MS (Destroyed on 2/10/09)
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I built the wagon from scratch on a running gear, purchased from Pioneer Equipment Company. It’s 7 1/2 feet wide and 16 feet long. Since it’s my home, I designed it as one. It contains most of the modern conveniences that we take for granted in our homes; including, a full size bed, bathroom with shower and commode, a kitchen area with stove, refrigerator and sink and a small kitchen table. It has 12 volt and 120 volt power, hot and cold water and propane for cooking and heating. It also is made to support and care for the four horses.
The biggest challenge in designing and building the wagon is to keep it light enough to pull and strong enough to last.
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Wagon #2 (Trips 2, 3 & 4)
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The second wagon was constructed by Bernie Harberts on a 3 ton Pioneer running gear. Bernie had just returned to North Carolina from his latest adventure (www.riverearth.com) when he heard of my mishap. On the lookout for a good deal, Bernie sold me the wagon for the cost of a really good biscuit from the local Bojangles restaurant.
It’s significantly smaller than the old wagon but nicely designed and constructed. But, I wanted a few more amenities, so I added outside storage boxes, a rear shelf for storage, a rubber roof, a stove, refrigerator, sink and shower. I also included 12 Volt and 120 Volt electrical systems.
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I get a lot of help from people along the way, so I try to give back whenever I can. My favorite ways of giving back are; letting people interact with the horses, visiting schools and nursing homes, and spreading as much good will as possible.
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About half the people in the world want to be free of bills and a daily grind, I’m one of them. My dream is to travel freely about the country, seeing new places and meeting new people. It’s hard to take the steps necessary to live a freedom type lifestyle. It’s hard to separate yourself from your security and material belongings and move completely out of your comfort zone. However, if you’re determined enough it can be done. Sometimes life hands you a “Do-Over” - a window in your life where you can do everything over, exactly like you want. That’s what I’m doing.
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Dolly
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![041809_12141[1]02](./assets/images/041809_12141_1_02.jpg "041809_12141[1]02")