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Wagonteamster Latest Blog - Trip #5 New Blog 12-22-18 My name is Bob Skelding and from 2008 to 2012, I drove a wagon on a journey throughout the United States. My only goals were to see new places, meet plenty of nice people like yourself, and to enjoy this great country of ours like its meant to be enjoyed, but I found out that my travels and the horses positively affected the lives of countless people. During this time my great team of horses pulled me 9,000 miles through the United States. To access old links and other pages, navigate to the Trip #1 - Trip #4 pages first (see below). I changed software and this is the best I can do. FREE - E-book. Click on the picture of the book, then follow instructions on the Store page (except its free). Everything you need to know about wagoneering plus several in-depth stories of the road. Driving the Team Through Round Valley, CA, October, 2012 Blog Links - Click on the highlighted text Journey Dates Route Miles Trip #1 8/08-2/09 NH to MS 1,800 Trip #2 6/09- 9/09 IN and MI 1,050 Trip #3 11/9-10/10 IN to CO via TX 3,200 Between Trips 11/10-3/12 In CO ----- Trip #4 4/12-11/12 Tour of the West 2821 Oregon Adventures 12/12 - 3/14 In OR ---- Trip #5 5/14-8/14 Tour Oregon 65 - Quit Early I started this trip in Deerfield, New Hampshire and have met some incredible people and traveled through some amazing country, all while listening to the musical clip clop of hooves hitting the pavement. Come and share the journey with me. I drove a team of three large draft horses. Bill and Bob are sorrel Belgians and Doc is gray Percheron. My wagon is configured as a complete camper and contains all of the minor conveniences that are in normal RV. In addition to the wagon, I have a supply trailer that is towed behind the wagon. All together, the horses pull a total of 7000 to 9000 pounds. I normally travel with two horses pulling the wagon while the third horse walks behind the trailer with a day off. However, when I encounter steep hills I bring the third horse into the hitch, driving them in a Unicorn configuration. Here is a brief outline of my 9,000 miles of travel to date The table on the right contains links to the various adventures, Trip #1: 8/08 to 2/09- New Hampshire to Mississippi (1800 miles) Accident - On 2/10/09 we were rear-ended by tanker truck traveling at 71 mph. The first wagon, pulled by four Percheron horses (3 mares and a gelding) was completely destroyed and Dolly and Deedee were killed. This required construction of a new wagon and purchase of a new team. I spent 4 months recovering before setting off on a new adventure, with a new wagon and a pair of Belgians to pull it. Trip #2: 6/09 to 9/09 - Southern Indiana to Horse Progress Days, then to Michigan (1100 miles) This trip was in two parts and started in mid-state Indiana. When I started this journey, I still had a lot of broken bones moving around, so it acted as sort of a post-accident trial run. My team consisted of the Belgian Draft Horses, Bob and Bill. The wagon was sold to me by Bernie Harberts for the price of one Biscuit. With some help, I converted it into an RV. Trip #3: 11/09 to 10/10 The trip started in Indiana, going to Texas, New Mexico, then up the west side of the Rockies. (3200 miles) I was initially going to return to Indiana through southern Wyoming, but changed my mind. For this journey, Im driving the Belgians, and Doc, the Percheron that was in the front-right position on the first journey. I have the same wagon as on the second trip, but Im hauling a trailer behind it to carry supplies. Trip #4 4/12 to 11/12 - This was a great loop through most of the American west (2,800 miles). Trip #5 6/14 - Not long after starting this trip, I called it quit when my horse Bill came up lame. The Future - Who can tell. I dont have any immediate plans of hitting the road with a wagon. The two Belgians are now in retirement, but Doc is still going strong. However, I do occasionally get the itch to go wagoneering. Its likely that sometime In the future Ill buy a teammate for Doc, harness up and once again go visit America. Purpose Of My Journeys The sole purpose of these journeys is to travel by horse and wagon and meet people. I want them to share their experiences with me and Ill share mine with them. Im not supporting any cause, trying to achieve a goal, nor am I sponsored by anyone. The reason Im traveling in this fashion is because it combines all the things I like best and eliminates those I like least. Also, I cant think of a cooler thing to do. Teams My current team is the third combination that I have used on my travels. Since November of 2009, I have driven my good gray Percheron, Doc, and the Belgians Bill and Bob. (Team #3) Team #1 8/08 to 2/09 - Trip #1 The motive force for the wagon was originally four Percheron horses: Joyce, Deedee, Dolly and Doc. Percherons are one prominent large draft horse breeds in the United States. Other large draft breeds are Belgians, Clydesdales, Suffolk Punches and Shires. In 2008, Joyce and Deedee were 15 years old, half sisters, and were bred by my grandfather Jake Sheaffer in Muir, Michigan. I had them since they were weanling fillies. Dolly was 10 years old and was bred in Chichester, New Hampshire. I bought her just a few months before the trip began. I bought Doc at the last moment. He was 8 years old (in 2008) and had been used for wagon rides, parades and horse pulls at the fair. Team #2 4/09 to 9/09 - Trip #2 After the accident, I needed a new team. Joyce was ready for retirement and I felt at the time that Docs injuries would no longer allow him to pull a large wagon (boy, was I wrong about that). The new team consisted of two Belgian geldings, Bill and Bob. They are half brothers, 11 and 12 years old (in 2009), weigh about 2000 pounds apiece and each stand about 18 hands high. Team #3 11/09 to the Present After trip #2, I got Doc back, whom I originally thought couldnt pull anymore. He was adopted out, then later returned to me. Along with Doc, I have the two Belgians. Usually I drive 2 horses and rest the third as he is pony-ed behind the trailer. About half the people in the world want to be free of bills and a daily grind, Im one of them. My dream is to travel freely about the country, seeing new places and meeting new people. Its hard to take the steps necessary to live a freedom type lifestyle. Its hard to separate yourself from your security and material belongings and move completely out of your comfort zone. However, if youre determined enough it can be done. Sometimes life hands you a Do-Over - a window in your life where you can do everything over, exactly like you want. Thats what Im doing. Team #1, NH to MS, 8/08 to 2/09 Deedee Dolly Joyce Doc Team #2 4/09 to 9/09 Bill Bob Team #3 Pulling in the Unicorn Hitch Wagons Wagon Currently Used For My Travels Wagon #1 - NH to MS (Destroyed on 2/10/09) I built the wagon from scratch on a running gear, purchased from Pioneer Equipment Company. Its 7 1/2 feet wide and 16 feet long. Since its my home, I designed it as one. It contains most of the modern conveniences that we take for granted in our homes; including, a full size bed, bathroom with shower and commode, a kitchen area with stove, refrigerator and sink and a small kitchen table. It has 12 volt and 120 volt power, hot and cold water and propane for cooking and heating. It also is made to support and care for the four horses. The biggest challenge in designing and building the wagon is to keep it light enough to pull and strong enough to last. I initially thought the first wagon weighed about 4,500 pounds. When I finally weighed it I found it was over 7000 pounds - boy, was I surprised. Wagon #2 - 4/09 to the Present The second wagon was constructed by Bernie Harberts on a 3 ton Pioneer running gear. Bernie had just returned to North Carolina from his latest adventure (http://www.riverearth.com/) when he heard of my mishap. On the lookout for a good deal, Bernie sold me the wagon for the cost of a really good biscuit from the local Bojangles restaurant. Its significantly smaller than the old wagon but nicely designed and constructed. But, I wanted a few more amenities, so I added outside storage boxes, a rear shelf for storage, a rubber roof, a stove, refrigerator, sink and shower. I also included 12 Volt and 120 Volt electrical systems. The wagon is now powered by 720 watts of solar panels I get a lot of help from people along the way, so I try to give back whenever I can. My favorite ways of giving back are; letting people interact with the horses, visiting schools and nursing homes, and spreading as much good will as possible.