Finisia & Jon had a fourth and final breakdown on May 12th, 2008. So today they left behind the last wagon in the Nevada Desert.  Jon, Finisia and 3 horses climbed onboard a 21st Century Time Machine which transported (whisked) them 300 miles into the future, in a matter of hours (instead of 3+ weeks) northwards to Arco, Idaho.

The first two breakdowns were the result of the horses going lame, forcing them to stop twice and finally leave behind the Big "House" Wagon on April 30th... two weeks and 360 miles into their 720 mile (7+ week) northward trek to Root Camp in Arco Idaho. They proceeded with the 3 horses and the small "hay" wagon which broke down 13 days later on May 12th, 20 miles north of Ely Nevada at Schellbourne, Nevada  (now), an old Pony Express Station and Stagecoach Stop.  Finisia rounded up someone to weld the broken shackle that holds the wagon springs assembly, and they proceeded northward with 320 miles to go. But later that same day the weld job broke again, near Lages Station, Nevada where in their distress they were refused drinking water for the horses, probably because they appeared to be just a "wee bit" too different, strange, primitive, and poor.   Broken down...  miles from Nowhere.... in the middle of the hot dry desert...  the person they asked for water was in a hurry to go Somewhere and didn't have the "time of day" (or water) for them or their thirsty horses...   Maybe she was just having a bad day, like Finisia and Jon were.   I imagine that if they had pulled up in a Shiny $300,000+ Super-King-Sized Motorhome, bigger than a Greyhound Bus, and shouted  "FILL' ER UP", they would have been treated with a bit more "Human Dignity, Compassion and Respect" .   It makes ya wonder!

Finisia and Jon unloaded the hay from the wagon to lighten the load and limped along for another day, to an old Rancher Friend's Ranch, near Currie, where Finisia had planted camas, breadroot, bitterroot and onions for him on his land last Autumn.  Finisia says it is a beautiful green Oasis, with abundant running water in the middle of the dry desert.

click to enlarge

With time growing very short until the Round Dance at Wolf Creek, and Root Festival in Arco, and no money and no wagon parts to replace the broken shackle,  Finisia reluctantly had to call her Friends Barry and Bright Owl in Idaho... to drive down with a horse trailer and haul them all up to Arco... leaving the last wagon behind.  Finisia and Jon are Home Sweet Homestead in Arco Idaho now.... Be it ever so humble... There's no place like home.   Thank God for Loving, Caring Friends (Angels)... Dick, Barry, Bright Owl, Kimmie and Kimmie's Mother. Thank you dearly!!

Finisia's Homestead near Arco

Also see related entries:

• Finisia and Jon forced to Downsize - 30 April 2008

• On the Long Road to Root Camp - 15 April 2008

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