The Best That Can Happen: The Grand Trek

"To fulfill the dreams of one's youth; that is the best that can happen." So said Willa Cather in 1927. "Uh huh. Ever actually, like, try it?" is Kathleen Schmitt's response. Her dream to ride a horse across America was born on Horst and Harriet Haenert's horse farm in northwestern Illinois. Harriet suggested one of their horses might not winter well at all. Kathleen, freshly graduated from high school, suggested sending him to Harriet's sister in Arizona.That was outside the Haenerts' budget, so Kathleen jokingly proposed riding him there. “I can’t. I have to be back teaching school this fall, and he’ll have to take it kind of slowly,” she said. “But you could,” she continued and went to get an atlas. These are the stories of preparing for The Grand Trek: selecting (one one case, catching) the horses, getting and training her Pawed Protector, Country Boy, a prophetic dream, setting off on The Grand Trek, the events and people encountered along the way, how her family and friends viewed the journey, and what happened afterward.
"I felt as if I was there with her, pondering the idea of this journey of a lifetime, having its roots in her youth. She knows how to paint a picture in your mind, hooking you into her world, making you want to know more. The author creates a perfect balance of entertainment, character building and chronicling events, crafting it into a story infused with emotion and depth. A lovely read.” - Melissa G., Hartford, CT