by Chuck Edwards

Created on: January 18, 2009

I was with my wife late Friday afternoon as we started to leave for a four O-clock meeting with a new client in Meyer's Flat, California. Just as we were about to enter southbound on highway 101, we saw a sight that made us both do a double-take.

We live in the Elk River area of Eureka, so equestrian folk are not strangers to us; however, I can't recall a time where we've seen a covered wagon being pulled by a three-horse team making a right turn at the Herrick Road

off ramp by the Park-n-Ride.

I was born a naturally curious individual, so maybe you can appreciate the fact that my interest was instantly piqued and that I was going to be late for my four O-clock meeting.

The scene looked more like an impromptu parade being lead by a small statured man (who calls himself Dakotah) sporting a grey goatee wearing a red shirt, black jeans, and black soft-brimmed "Open Plain" cowboy hat. Close behind Dakota was an SUV covering the rear as the wagon made its way off south-bound Broadway Ave.

The driver of the SUV trailing behind Dakota (from the Madaket Museum) is an acquaintance of the manager for the Pro Pacific Fresh Produce Company (Jody) and had called ahead to secure a place for Dakotah to bivouac on the lush grassy area of Pro Pacific's lot.

As we pulled into the lot Dakotah was busy setting up his portable electric fence around an acre of grass as his horses stood like the Swiss Guard. I had my camera at the ready but was more interested in talking to the man, many years my senior, moving at a swift pace as he began setting up his camp. When I asked if I may approach, he replied "if you can keep up with a man almost seventy years old, I suspect you could". And so I did.

I would like to cut to the chase and tell you upfront that Dakotah is not some victim of circumstance and is living the life of his choosing for over twenty-four years. Aside from being a Veteran, he has worked and is retired; been in relationships (on and off the road, including marriage); has children (two sons and one daughter); and has traveled from Arizona
to Montana
and back again.

The point of our meeting is his first trip back to the area since 1980-something, and navigating our roads, with a mix of Interstate, city, and highways, has proven a challenge for Dakota and his team. Folks drive way too fast, and many of the lanes of the road are narrow with little or no shoulder on which his horses may walk. So, the Pro Pacific lot was a welcome sight.

I think we are all drawn to people who have the

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