Sea Rhydr (left) and Pat Cooper stand between Sea’s horses. (Courtesy photo)
The Cooper family of Stow Road has been actively involved in a cross-country horseback adventure through their niece, Sea G. Rhydr, who has set out on a two-year journey to ride across the country, from California to Maine. Sea’s cousin, Susie Cooper Burgess, and her family started Sea on her journey in California, bringing hay for the horses along with food, water, and hugs for her cousin.
In late summer of 2012, Pat and Lee Cooper met Sea in the middle of the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico. They brought a bale of hay for the horses and a picnic for their niece, which they enjoyed in a rented pickup truck amidst wind and rain at 7,000 feet above sea level. Sea had crossed a ridge above the tree line two days before and was heading into more challenging wilderness.
Sea’s journey has followed a southern route, crossing 15 states with the same two horses, Jesse James and Saint Finehorn. Her Aunt Pat’s care packages and phone calls have encouraged her every step of the way. She says she has been blessed and humbled by the amazing hospitality and kindness of “we the people” and plans to write a book about her experiences when she steps down from the saddle.
The Coopers are now providing a few days of rest and relaxation for Sea before she departs for the last leg of her journey to Minot, Maine, where she will lead a parade to honor Long Rider Mesannie Wilkins on Nov. 8.
Sea is a member of the International Long Riders’ Guild, and the story of her journey, with plenty of pictures, can be found on her blog at www.freerangerodeo.com.
