Transportation and Traveling While Living Off-Grid

Reader Contribution by Aur Beck and Advanced Energy Solutions Group
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Since my father was told to walk the Trail of Tears, our family has traveled 14,000 recorded miles through 24 states by foot and by horse. This journey started when my dad wanted to understand being American Indian (or Native American, as said today) and talking with my great-grandfather who said pointing out his door in Cherokee North Carolina, walk the Trail of Tears and then you will know somewhat what it is like to be Indian.

Leaving with myself (9 months old in a kid’s carrier backpack), my mom and our horse, Prince Hussein, a retired Thoroughbred race horse packed with our minimal goods, we started the walk, which took 14 months helped and inspired by the good will of the people. Whenever we needed food or anything, dad would offer to do a work exchange and, since he was multi skilled laborer, there was always work to be had.

This trip started a 20 year odyssey of travel by horse. Over the years, we acquired three more kids, more horses, and a couple of wagons. Our first upgrade was a loaner of a couple of mules and a wagon, which we used for about a year. Than we got a two-wheeled buggy (our chariot) that was pulled by Prince, which had Amish wooden wheels with a metal band around them and we made a cover using bent willow branches and canvas. We used that for quite a few years until we got our Cadillac wagon.

This is a 4 rubber tired wagon, which is made using the straight rear axles from a Cadillac. Such a smooth ride, though we did get the occasional flat. We pulled the old, two-wheeled buggy behind with our supplies in it. Going by horse has its disadvantages: averaging 5 miles an hour or under 30 miles a day, although our record is 76 miles on a cold upper state NY winter day when Prince just wanted to run all day; and advantages: no cost grass powered.

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