BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Meredith Cherry and her horse, Apollo, are making their way across Southern Vermont, in the 30th state they’ve visited in their trip aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence.
The goal is to visit the contiguous 48 states by the end of 2020. Cherry and Apollo started from their home state of California in January 2017.
The travelers walked down Main Street here on Friday afternoon, where they were received by a small group at Project Against Violent Encounters.
Cherry started the day west of North Petersburgh, New York, and expected to reach Putney by Tuesday.
“I heard it’s beautiful, so I’m looking forward to the scenery,” she said of the Green Mountain State. “I don’t know when the full (foliage) color is going to happen, but maybe it’ll be while I’m here.”
The trip “was just something I wanted to do for myself, and the issue is one that is really personal for me, because I was in an abusive relationship for quite a long time,” said Cherry, who started riding horses about 20 years ago and holds a degree in equine science.
“I think this is a really exciting and creative thing that Meredith is doing with her special companion,” Nadia Lucchin, PAVE’s executive director, said Friday. “It’s unique to walk across the country and attract people because of her beautiful horse, and then be able to speak about what she’s doing. It shows a lot of love, and I think will get the message out in a way that is really unique and special.”
Apollo, half mustang and half Peruvian paso, is 11 years old, or 36 in human years. He came into Cherry’s care about six years ago after she learn about him on craigslist.org.
The trip, an 8,000-mile trek, is “going well,” Cherry said. “I’ve done all the Western states - Northwest, Southwest and Midwest,” she said. “So I’ve done almost everything west of the Mississippi River. I’m currently working on the Northeast.”
Next year, Cherry plans to ride to Florida and hit all the Southeastern states except for Texas. She and Apollo have already gone through Texas.
The plan is to stop at some point in October in New England and wait for warmer weather. So far, minor challenges - related to weather, traffic and finding safe places to stay - have not stopped the pair.
Cherry mostly uses Facebook (search Meredith & Apollo’s Centauride) or “old-fashioned networking” to arrange overnight plans.
She has all her stays in Vermont set up but is still working on New Hampshire and other New England communities. Her website can be found at www.centauride.org.
Part of her work involves highlighting area resources. Project Against Violent Encounters provides supportive and educational services to individuals, families, and the community in Bennington County.
Online: https://bit.ly/2nWAMIo
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Information from: Brattleboro Reformer, http://www.reformer.com/
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