Episode 8 Adventures with Charity Joy
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
A beautiful dream come true. Truly, I wasn’t sure I was even going to see the wild horses. I read on the website, they were only doing private tours and you need a minimum of two people. Hmm, I wondered “how am I going to get in?” I drove to this beautiful waterfall spot and started asking the universe what the possibilities would be. After meditating by the water I walked up to my truck and rang the office of the horse sanctuary. A kind woman answered the phone, She said “oh yes absolutely you can come down to our gift shop, just follow the sign once you turn down the dirt road.” The drive was just a short 10 minutes. I turned down the drive and within one minute of driving there was one herd all grazing and gazing at me with curiosity. I was ecstatic. At first, I was nervous, I didn’t know if they had cameras so I began to take photos from the truck. Then I couldn’t contain it anymore, I jumped out and went to the fence line to say hello. Stunning, beautiful, and whipping cold South Dakota wind on my face. It didn’t even phase me I was in awe of these majestic animals. Perhaps 10 minutes had passed and I chose to continue further down the drive. Seeing another herd in the distance, more signs, and then finally to the gift shop I arrived. The woman greeted me with enthusiasm and started telling me all about the history of her own life story and the sanctuaries.
500 horses on 18, 000 acres of land is something you don’t see everyday. This was one mans’ mission, Dayton O. Hyde. He has passed on but his mission remains in tact and the sanctuary continues to thrive through donations and sponsoring. I was beyond blessed to be able to visit and meet many of the horses that day. The time had come to head south, through Wyoming and onto Colorado.
Peacock Stance - Kalaripayattu in Wyoming
When the road gets long we all need to take a break. Here I am taking a “break”. This can mean something different for everyone. Stretching, moving, training the body for anything is my moving meditation.
Some of you who know me well, know I traveled the world for fifteen year to twenty-five countries solo. I stopped for a time in New York and now I continue on the journey. Community and tribes that I have been a part of all call to me, and I follow.
This specific trip that led me to the horses and then onto the beautiful mountains of Colorado to visit family and the ranch land was nothing short of spectacular. How does one identify what makes a journey/ trip special? For me every adventure I take teaches me something and I am open to the lessons that are showing up.
Pagosa Springs - Mud bath and hot springs
Getting messy is sometimes required to gain clarity and smoothness. This quick stop to Pagosa Springs felt amazing after driving seven hours through Wolf Creek Pass and further south to Durango. As I mudded up I met a woman from south Florida not far from where I was earlier in the year. I encouraged her to mud up, and clear out the travels she had just come from. Within 10 minutes another woman showed up and was intrigued by the mud and what was happening. She too felt inclined to scrub away the year and tell her story. Without any agenda, open to what may happen and being myself I held the invitation for two complete strangers to connect and cleanse. I rinsed off in the hot springs and then jumped into the icy cold river. Knowing we can change anything and any energy simply by being ourselves.
Family, friends, hot springs, and ritual in Colorado and New Mexico soothed my soul. While in Colorado I helped my parents with the building of the foundation of the new house on the ranch. Physical labor with loved ones can be so rich and beautiful. I love that kind of work. As the snow fell my body knew the time was coming to get to warmer climates. Which is exactly what happened. I flew to Coffs Harbour Australia from New Mexico for the next adventure.
Kalaripayattu teacher training and intensive retreat in martial arts training lets go.
The adventures with Charity Joy continue and I’m overjoyed to be sharing these magical sharing with you. Please feel to send a comment or email over letting me know where you are and what magic you are creating in this beautiful world.
Blessed Be