2011 Ride

Day 3: After my first good night’s sleep in about a week, started the day feeling refreshed with breakfast in a Malta diner. Ended the day 88 miles later exhausted but happy at the dinner table of Jonny BearCub in the Fort Peck tribal sanctuary. Just as I entered Fort Peck, was joined by a large hawk or eagle (couldn’t tell which in the fading light), who flew with me for about 50 yards or so, then glided in front of me and alighted in a tree. A very auspicious sign…

Earlier in the day, came across Sleeping Buffalo Rock at a roadside stop. Montana’s native people revere this boulder that was once perched atop a ridge overlooking the Cree Crossing on the Milk River. It resembled the leader of a herd of reclining buffalo in an outcrop of gray granite. It looks very much like a reclining buffalo. When you run your fingers over the rock, you can even trace the ancient markings that define its eyes, horns, backbone and ribs. Native peoples of the Northern Plains have long honored the Sleeping Buffalo’s spiritual power. I left my own small offering to the Buffalo Nation before continuing the journey east.

Harvard thoughtfully shuttled me some lunch to fuel me through the long ride day. Eventually made it to Glasgow, where we rolled into Stockman Bar for a couple of beers on the house, compliments of Jay Durham. On the way out of town, was flagged down by Julie, who had seen the logo on my trike while I was topping off my tires at the gas station and wanted to give me a contribution. I’ll never cease to be amazed by the kindness of “strangers” (who are really just friends we haven’t met yet). Right about sunset, made it to Nashua, where we dropped off the trike at the home of Mark & Linda Nielsen. Then Harvard drove us out to Jonny’s house, for a warm home-cooked meal and even warmer company. We broke bread with Jonny and Phyllis RunsThrough Spotted Wolf, Vina “Cookie” Smith, Mason RunsThrough, Jr., Jamie Rosewitz, Mike Thompson, A.T. Stafne, Janet RunsThrough Goodbear & Jake Goodbear. Topped off the night with some locally-brewed beer. Don’t think I’ll have any problem sleeping tonight.

Day 2: With less than 48 hours notice, Rose Main had somehow managed to organize a solidarity horse ride against Keystone XL at the Fort Belknap tribal sanctuary, homeland to the Gros Ventre and the Assiniboine Tribes. Robe Walking and Ken Main met us in the morning to escort us from the motel. After picking up Ruth Marshall and her and Robe’s 10 month-old son Nihon (Yellowbird), we towed the trike to Hays, where Rose Main, Roberta Werk and Gertrude Werk were patiently waiting for us on horseback.

There George Horse Capture, Jr. said a prayer and blessed the ride, before we set off down the road four abreast (three horses and one rocket trike), with Officer Stan Johnson helpfully trailing us with a police escort, and Tim Dave Haakenson driving ahead to document the procession. After a mile or so, we were joined by two curious dogs, who seemed to want to get in on the fun and ended up running with us the rest of the way. Riding in the company of such powerful women and their horses in their ancestral sanctuary was an indescribable experience. I’ll just say it was a deep personal honor and experience I will never forget. Judging by the number of cars slowing down to take pictures, I doubt anyone else who saw it will soon forget it either.

Later we dropped in on station manager Gerald Stiffarm at tribal radio station KGVA 88.1, were I did a brief interview with Christa Rabbit to talk about the dangers of Keystone XL, fracking and gold mine leaching on tribal lands. Then I conducted my own interview with Davey Belgard, Robe, Ken and Ruth, which you will not want to miss and can see on YouTube.

Before leaving, we visited the Fort Belknap Tribal Council, where Phyllis Culbertson and Patty Quizno came out for a look at the trike and some conversation. Look for my interview with Phyllis on YouTube.

After towing the trike back to Malta, we ended a very powerful Day 2 of the ride by breaking bread together.

Day 1: Today, the “Ride for Renewables: No Tar Sands Oil on American Soil!” was officially launched at the US/Canada border where with my friend Harvard Ayers, we each each drew our personal lines in the sand against TransCanada. The ride began 16 miles south of the border in the tiny town of Loring, MT (pop. 11), where the local pastor Cindy Clark had been kind enough to store the rocket trike overnight in her shed. After briefly crossing into Canada, I reentered the U.S. on the trike to begin the long trek south to Texas. The day was marked by strong, chilly crosswinds, but was happy to be immersed in Big Sky country. Montana’s beauty never ceases to enthrall me. Encountered 2 hawks, 3 curious horses and countless curious cows during the day’s ride. Did a roadside interview with a reporter from the Phillips County News, who Harvard had called, but a local radio station declined to do an interview for fear of losing advertising dollars. Rolled into Malta in a light rain 70 miles later, just as the light was starting to fade. Great day 1.