It is too early in this trip for me to have discovered the meaning of life because then I’d have to call an end to this tour. This, after it’s hardly began. What fun would that be?

Today the answer did make itself partially apparent to me. The meaning of life has to do with the kindness of strangers. It was a big day for this kind of thing. Mid-day we stopped in a town named 100 Mile, we thought, a good place to water the horses because it was so quiet. Pete went into the visitor’s center and I went to check out a display that read “Dog Guides.” I then spoke with the two women who were in charge.

I learned that the Lions Club sponsors this booth, which promotes service dog activities. This is the new work of dogs, my friend Jacqui Welch (who is an artist) has also made this her painterly work.

I began talking with Shelby, who was one of the two women at the booth. We quickly discovered that we had a great deal in common in regards to woman’s rights, environmental issues, and animal rights. I felt a real affinity for her and gave her my card and a copy of Raudi’s Story, which she really appreciated.

This sense of connection is rare, which is why I so value it when it occurs. But then we were on our way again. We ate lunch nearby, in a wetlands area, and when members of the various service groups came by with their dogs, I joined them on their mile walk. They were a tight knit group and so I didn’t converse at length with any of them.

I did, however, see a mother goose and her five goslings. And Ryder had a good wallow in a mud pit.

It was a long afternoon, again with no place to put up the horses in sight. In Peachland I suggested to Pete that we stop at an RV Park and ask if they knew of any place where we might put the horses up. Both of us assumed that, at best, we’d be told of someplace we might find decent accommodations. We did not dream what would happen. The owners greeted us with open arms and found us a very nice site. And for the next few hours, we had a steady stream of visitors, all of whom were eager to meet the horses and hear the stories about our trip.

Tod’s RV Park has been in existence for over 63 years and is family owned. It could be for sale, which would be a shame. Such a special place.

So what we can learn from the above accounts is that being generous is what makes the world a better place. When, say, people are kind to me, I feel like being kind to others. It is as simple as that. Some understand this and some don’t. I think that Pete and I do get it.

Next: 146. 5/28/19: A Long Day