I first dreamt of crossing the country on horseback when I lost my mother to lung and breast cancer when I was twelve years old. I have carried that dream my entire life. My 5 children have heard me talk about it all their lives; now it is time to go.

In a country moving faster everyday, this ride represents slowing things down, taking the time to appreciate the natural world around us, while taking stock in the legacy we are leaving for our children.

As we move across America we will have an opportunity to connect with a variety of communities and people, teach lessons from the trail, and learn about their unique connection with their part of the country. In this way it is my goal to produce a snap shot of America that will help us all understand the future that is developing for our children, and that the choices we make everyday effect that future.

Taking on this trip is very intimidating, but I know that if I can find the strength to cross the United States on horseback, then others will be able to draw strength and inspiration from my journey.

All of us will learn and grow on this trip. I invite you to be a part of this experience!

My mother's death had a purpose in my life. As I was growing up I began to see that there were many types of cancer manifesting in the human race. Most of the cancer we have created. The welfare of our environment, our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual humanness are all characteristics that we are passing forward to our children. We are giving them an environment that is being challenged to produce more, but instead the water supply is dwindling and is full of toxins from the air and land, full of pollutants that cover our earth from pole to pole.

This is an environment that we try to control and the harder we try, the more off balance it becomes. Children are seeing more and mentally processing actions that carry stress, anxiety and worries, much more in today's world than I had in my own childhood. We are preparing our children by teaching them at an early age about the weight of the world instead of all the wonders of the world.

Our children are out of balance with their emotions and so we medicate them so that they feel will not feel too much. This way they can focus through medicated brainwaves.

Our children are overweight, consuming more than the body needs. What they are consuming does not hold nutritional value: rather it is processed food that fills a void. With no connection to the inner self, we pacify them by showing our children how to connect externally with stuff, All the while the inner self seems to be a place to avoid rather than rejoicing in living life to the fullest each moment.

This is not what I want to leave for my children. It is my desire for this earth and all children to form a connection, which allows for a better understanding that this earth provides us with everything we need to live.

I want to teach them to be grateful, while understanding that when they don't feel connected to anything that in reality there is this huge planet that they are deeply connected to.

What Is Ride-On?

Ride On is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Mary Howe of Wilmot, NH in memory of her mother who lived life with zest and courage for 12 years before succumbing to cancer.

Ride On is sponsoring a cross country horseback ride which will begin in New Hampshire in June, ending up in the West in September.

Mary and Hester will speak with youth groups, churches, civic organizations and children's camps along their routes to raise their awareness of what is left undone in the effort to make this planet safe and healthy for future generations, and to raise funds for research into avoidable environmental causes of cancer. If interested contact Gail Gerber at: emt439@yahoo.com.

In the future the Ride On Foundation will publish books and calendars drawn from Mary and Hester's experiences on the ride. Making this journey on horseback allows them to slow down, experience the land and the people whose lives are touched by it.

All profits from the sale of books and calendars will be donated to cancer and environmental research.

Testimonials:

Talk about enlightenment!! Listening to Mary talk is truly an eye-opening experience. She makes the most difficult things seem so simple. She brings awareness to areas in your life that you didn't even realize were limiting you, or which were helping you to limit others in your life. I especially liked her perspective on something as simple as bumping into someone on the street. Most people are in such a hurry that they would just keep walking, or maybe say sorry, but Mary says we were meant to meet that person to help them somehow, someway, or vice versa. Her words can change your perspective on your job, your relationships, your health, and your life. Tobi

Mary's Coaching has assisted me to grow from an angry reactive person to a person who now makes active positive active choices in life. When I do make a mistake I don't beat myself up for it. It is hard to say what I have learned because I keep learning new things everyday. Brandon

Mary's presentation is from the heart, knowing and seeing the good in people. Her sense of the human spirit and guiding people to become awakened to it is a wonderful journey. She has an articulate manner in which she speaks that draws you in while she gently plants the seeds then gives you the tools to discover and awaken to your own possibilities and potential. As she says; "living in purpose on purpose." Hardy Hasenfuss

Mary's presentation was not only inspirational, it was life changing to learn the power that we have available to tap if we so choose. Mary demonstrates this in a way that leaves no question about it. We gained empowerment to fulfill our life's destiny. Pamela

I heard Mary speak for the first time at an event with several inspirational speakers. I was particularly drawn to Mary's message because it was so powerful. Her spiritual nature and experiences flowed through her and to her audience and an extraordinary passion. Though she was speaking to a group, I felt her message was very personal and special for me. She has the gift of touching many hearts and I'm honored to have the opportunity to share my experience with you. Darlene