"The Journey"
-
"Riding the
Pacific Crest Trail"
On March 17, 2015, sixty-year-old Rhonda Marquis set out on a daring and deeply personal quest to ride horseback along the legendary Pacific Crest Trail, spanning from the Mexican border toward Canada, on untamed terrain, facing the physical and emotional demands of the trail, riding horseback alone across mountain ridges, navigating unpredictable trail conditions, enduring weather extremes and confronting isolation.
While her sixty-nine-year-old husband Pat, played an equally critical role of her support as he managed logistics of food for humans and equines, household chores, and repairs to the Ram truck and living quarter horse trailer (known as the Hilton), while driving ahead and ensuring that shelter and supplies would be waiting for Rhonda at their next meeting.
So come along for the ride…
Pat sent email messages home to family and friends while taking care of all the chores that kept our journey alive. He combined those memories into an incredible story.
Rhonda carried a water proof notebook with her on the trail, recording what happened each day ride and night campout. Her journal is the heart of her recorded adventure.
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Thank you. Hope you enjoy the adventure!
Scan the QR code to order. Thank you for ordering. Have a good ride!
This is the true story of an incredible journey along the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the western states of California, Oregon and Washington, from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. These books tell the story of two people working together in different ways toward the same goal.
Pat's book, “The Journey” tells of Pat’s devoted support as he drives the Ram truck & living quarters horse trailer rig ever northward, assuring the horses are cared for, meeting schedules are met, and seeing that security is waiting at every trail crossing reunion.
While in “Riding the Pacific Crest Trail”, Rhonda tells of her ride through mountains and wilderness, facing ever changing trail conditions and extreme weather demands, all while caring for her most loved and devoted horses.
Our Hero's!
--- LIZ -------- CHEYENNE -------- RIO ---
About Us
(Pat)
My father can be held accountable to this day for my love and fondness of the outdoors and our equine friend, the horse. So where did the horses come from? Well, I remember, at 12 years old, one horse excursion to the Eel River drainage, in California, where we spent a week deer hunting that went somewhat awry. On one of our rides, we rode out in separate directions to look for deer, only he didn’t come back that afternoon. My dad had been riding along the top of a dry creek bed when the bank suddenly gave way, they tumbled down, coming to rest with the horse atop my dad. The horse was stuck upside down, and it took Dad hours, after calming the horse, to hand dig enough dirt out from under himself, so the horse could roll over and get up. Luckily for Dad and the horse, neither had anything broken, and he rode into camp the next day, sore and hungry. I helped make him comfortable while he recuperated, which took several days. Dad got better and we made it safely home. The remembrance is strong, and it still is a wondrous feeling to be one with the horse, riding the trails, then returning to camp and a healthy meal.
Thank you, Dad, for taking me there. Pat & Cheyenne
(Rhonda)
Being born in Alaska, I’ve always had a sense of independence. My parents moved to Anchorage, Alaska in the early 50’s. They were hard working innovative people who taught my brothers and I many skills that we have used throughout our lives. After leaving the home nest in my later teens, I held a variety of odd jobs in Anchorage, then after meeting my husband Patrick, followed him to work on the Alaska Pipeline, in Valdez. After that, we started our young family while living on the Kenai Peninsula in our cabin that, through the years, evolved into a house. Horses were an integral part of the family’s pleasure riding, 4-H and packing into remote areas to hunt Moose and Caribou. We eventually left Alaska and worked our way south bringing the horses with us. Now living in Central Oregon, Pat and I enjoy trail riding, packing and camping with the horses in this high desert terrain while being involved in various equestrian service organizations and volunteer activities such as trail clearing and helping with the maintenance of horse camps.
Life’s short, so ride as often as you can, Rhonda & Liz
Pictures from
the Trail...
Rhonda, Liz & Rio at the Mexican border.
Pat, Cheyenne & Tucker also at the Mexican border.
Pat and Tucker keep everything ready to ride. What handsome guys.
Liz ridden & Rio packed, take Rhonda over Forester Pass, 13,200 feet elevation, in California.
More pictures from the Trail...
Rio carries Rhonda, and Cheyenne packs as we all pass over Opie Dilldock Pass in Oregon.
Gerry and her mules ride & pack with Rhonda in Oregon. (above) ---
Rhonda takes Rio and Cheyenne off the trail for a little grazing in Washington. (below)
Pat, Rhonda and the crew stop for some lunch in Washington. (above) --- And Tucker makes a great Trail dog. (below)
Steep rocky slopes for the last day on the Trail in Washington.
