trailer fender finally went so I quickly stopped to pull the sharp metal from shredding my brand new trailer tires. The ride was so bad I was bruised from the seat belt. I left in the dark and  now it's night time driving again. I started getting flashes of light in my side mirrors. I determined that this light was the headlights of the vehicle following me, shining on the road. The trailer must be in the air! By closer observation, that's exactly what was happening.
Cochrane had two feet of snow on the ground. I stayed at Julie Anderson's house. She had Todd and Jenny's 12 year old stallion, "Doll's Starfire". In the morning, Julie long-lined him on the road in front of the house. I can see why he's still a stallion. He's nice - very nice, gaited and gentle. He's for sale, as well as three other mares. H'mmm...
Finally I'm westward bound on Hwy. 11. The town of Moonbeam has by far the worst potholes I've ever seen. I thread and crawl my way through. I must remember this place. I'll be back through here with the mares on the trailer. It's 4:30 p.m. in Thunder Bay (#3) when I notice a coolant leak. The water pump is on its way out. I release the rad cap - no pressure, no leak - so no problem. A purchased water pump is placed in the back of the truck and I drive well into the night, past Kenora and into Manitoba. I stop south of Winnipeg at the same restaurant where I'd stopped and slept at in June of 1998. I'm so cold sleeping in the truck with no heat that when I awake, I'm not just shivering, I'm vibrating!
On the road again after breakfast and three cups of coffee I find we are battling a strong cross-head wind. I don't have enough power to pull fourth gear. For hours on end I'm in third gear and 3500 RPM's. This is an endurance test.
Finally, Keith Dolls' near Brandon (#4) and Dolls' Walking Horse Farm. Before leaving home, I'd received a comprehensive package on many of his horses. Keith takes me on a quick horse introduction. He doesn't try to sell me any horses, but I know they are available. He doesn't know how tempted I am to load a full trailer here and head back!
We unloaded six bales of hay to pick up on the way back. I'm only half way to Dawson Creek. Into Saskatchewan I stop at the motel at Foam Lake (#5). There's a blizzard ahead. The next morning I get as far as Lanigan. The water pump leak I've been monitoring is  worse and the transfer case has started to leak gear oil. I spend the day getting repairs and leave at 5 pm.
When I stop in North Battleford for food and gas, I overhear the RCMP discussing closing the highway. The road has icy patches and the snow banks are