The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America

Product Information

While monarchs have found homes across the globe and are at a low risk of extinction, their numbers are falling. There were other setbacks, including accidents and tragedies of the equine variety that almost ended her trip. Her cottage adjoining The Crown Public House (which she had purchased from her brother, Bertie, the previous year), is occupied by tenants.

She finally rides into California having found her true self, regained her health and - defying those doctors - lives another 22 years. She received many offers—a permanent home at a riding stable in New Jersey, a job at a gas station in rural Kentucky, even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher. This lonely woman didn’t feel alone with her devoted horse and dog by her side, but her dazzling storytelling had a snowball effect surrounding them with people as they were invited and cheered on at county fairs, town parades, and the “biggest rodeo in America.Later, the town gathered for dinner, conversation, and a screening of the 2003 documentary on Mesannie Wilkins. Instead, she bought a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, donned men's dungarees, and headed south in mid-November, hoping to beat the snow. I wondered whether that it was at this time that the Post Office was sold, having been owned by members of the Wilkins family for nearly sixty years. Dressed like a man wearing four layers of clothing gave her some protection, but her health was still seriously compromised. Annie didn’t like to be rude to anyone offering help, so she politely told the doctor she’d think about it.

Her classical and musical knowledge enabled her to conduct a seminary for young ladies and teach music in the family home.

As a novelist ( Finding Dorothy, the most recent), history comes alive through Letts’ appealing, novelistic prose. We caught up with Annie to hear her plans for the band and find out a little bit more about what brought her to banding. I care deeply about issues that affect women and children, and especially those who are fleeing danger. At the turn of the 19th century, the land on which the building was later built, was ‘a garden’ comprising some two roods and twelve perches (0a 2r 12p).