Cross-country wagon journey began in Fresno

At the age of 59, who would begin a journey across America in a little covered wagon named The Mustard Seed, drawn by two little ponies, Theodore and Franklin?

Sea Rhydr, whose life has been a leap of faith, is a long rider. Ten years ago she embarked across America on a long ride of 5,000 miles in 25 months. She had dreamed of that ride her whole life.

Her soon-to-be-released book, “Free Range Rodeo, Horseback through the Apocalypse,” contains stories of the first six months of her long ride. Each chapter describes people she encountered, total strangers who guided her on her journey as she made her way across the American landscape.

Now after more than 10 years, she is ready to hit the open road again. Many things have changed in 10 years. She is 59 years old with degenerative disc disease in her back, which makes riding impossible.

As a child Rhydr was obsessed with the TV series, “Little House on the Prairie.” Her parents helped her create a little wagon she could hitch her pony to, and she spent her days driving her pony around the farm and country back roads.

Rhydr has lived on Lopez Island in Washington for the past nine years. Lopez Island is part of the San Juan Islands. But as her life circumstances began to change, her wandering spirit captured her imagination, and she began dreaming of another long ride across America, this time in a covered wagon.

As she was cruising the internet, an ad from Twilight Farm in Fresno caught her eye. Twilight Farm specializes in kid broke ponies and horses for sale in all shapes and sizes. Soon Rhydr was corresponding with Kristin Mulhall, the owner. She shared her vision of traveling across America in a small covered wagon. Two ponies became part of the dream. Rhydr named her new team Theodore and Franklin after her favorite presidents, the Roosevelts.

The Mustard Seed is a collaboration of Amish craftsmen Melvin Beiler of Pequea Carriage Shop and Elam at E & M Tarp Shop in Paradise, Pennsylvania. They listened to Rhydr’s need of a small covered wagon to be self-contained and provide all weather protection.

Considering the weight of the wagon and the ability of the ponies to pull it over back roads in various conditions, The Mustard Seed fits Rhydr's needs very well. It has a comfortable bench up front to cushion the rides as it has no suspension. The small motorcycle tires have the traction to cover back country roads. The bright mustard-colored canvas is supported by wooden hoops. Zippers, grommets and ties all the way around give her sun/rain protection and nighttime privacy. She has a solar refrigerator up front so she can prepare healthy meals for her specialized diet. She is able to sleep comfortably in the back of the wagon.

The ponies’ total weight is about 800 pounds, so she must make sure she travels light. Rhydr is 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. The ponies will have Cavallo CLB Boots on their hooves to protect them. The goal is to cover 15 miles a day, depending on weather and terrain. She has mapped out the first leg of her journey and will post on Facebook her proposed route and needs for accommodations along the way.

Rhydr plans to be on the road for two years. She is in no hurry. The purpose of this long ride is to interview people along the way and find out about them and their lives in rural America. Her interviews will be posted on her YouTube channel, “Hello Neighbor!”

Rhydr also will post on her blog, freerangerodeo.com, and Facebook, Sea Rhydr. Twilight Farm is her base camp.