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Family drops out; tunes into the real world—on horseback
WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Staff reporter
One day, Joshua and Terra White realized that they were spending too little time with sons Levi and Lucas. Joshua, a former gold miner and agricultural consultant from Elco, Nevada, said he and Terra, a PhD candidate in law studies, were working so much. They wanted to reconnect with their kids, and they wanted Levi and Lucas to get away from all the devices, to get away from a life disconnected from nature, to meet people of all religions, ethnicities, politics. They wanted them to learn about the country in the truest way possible.
So, they gave up all modern conveniences two and a half years ago and set off with their children on horseback, riding from California to the East Coast. They chose Dyersburg as their first stop after crossing the Mississippi. “This is our 12th state.” He added, “We've been about 2,800 miles so far.”
“My sons are getting an interesting education,” he noted. “They're in charge of the whole thing. They do all the navigation. They do all the money.” The boys shoe their horses. They are responsible for buying and selling horses. The horses look healthy—the boys buy unwanted horses and transform them into healthy animals. They sell horses who need rest to families with children. “We’re real proud of what they’re doing,” Joshua White said.
He continued, saying that they only ride 20 miles a day or less, 100 miles a week or less. He said, “The point of the trip was to slow down life and spend more time with the kids.”
He remarked, “When you're grateful, it gives you a listening ear and it's just amazing how my growth as a person has changed.” He said, “ My sons, I think they're different than most kids because they are so attuned to the world. They've stayed with every kind of race intentionally. We don't say no to invites.”
He continued, “I think that's helped my sons grow the most. We’ve stayed with the Amish, Mennonites, Jewish people, and we stayed with Muslims, Presbyterians, Catholics, every kind of religion, every kind of race.”
He said the whole family has grown spiritually. One day, he told his sons that they should all pray to find people who would help them. But 17-year-old Levi said, “Let’s start praying to find people who need us.”
Part of the boys’ education has been learning the value of work. They’ve farmed, cleaned houses waited tables, roofed homes, and so have their parents. “They have to know that there is more than sitting in the air conditioner all day hooked up to devices.”
Levi White, who began the journey when he was 15 said the trip had helped him to grow. He said, “My favorite part of the trip has been the work.” He has especially enjoyed doing mechanics jobs.
Joshua White took the trip for internal growth too. He expressed regret over some of the ways he acted as a younger man, said he regrets his judgements of people with different beliefs and opinions, regrets over the way he treated loved ones. He said he has put divisive politics behind him. He has come to listen to all.
He said, “On this trip, I’ve found redemption.” When he gets back to the daily life, he said he has a daughter to square things with.
It has been a journey of spiritual growth. In the desert, a 118 miles from anybody, and without cell service, their water tanks failed. He said he prayed, “‘God don’t let me be the guy that kills his family on this trip.’” And, he said, “I found water...I found my faith.”
He remarked they have had so many great experiences in their travels, met so many great people that it is impossible to choose a favorite place they have been or seen. He talked about the desert, the mountain, the plains, the rivers, the wilderness, and he marvels at everything he has seen.
The adventures have afforded them experiences the daily world would not have given them. He was “adopted” by the Utes, given turquoise, painted according to their traditions. When he left, they sent him out with 12 horses and a donkey. But mainly, he and Terra have come to know their sons and to see their development. They as a couple have become closer on the trip.
But with most of the trip behind them, he said, “Crossing the Mississippi was a milestone. We knew we’d get there, and we’ve been thinking about it for two and a half years.” Once they reach the coast, the family will return to a house and a “regular” life. He and Terra have made sure that the boys kept a daily journey of their trip and expect them to write a book or make a documentary. He said he thinks his wife will write a book too.
They have encountered challenges. A limb fell on Terra and broke her arm. And he was not quite prepared for some features of the South. “I’ve survived extreme heat and cold. I’ve experienced pain, thirst, and hunger. But chiggers? Chiggers almost made me want to give up.”