COVER STORY
In his beloved work of historical fiction, “A Land Remembered,”
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Patrick Smith describes how cowboys’ whips once
protected a herd from a pack of wolves. “When one wolf
rushed forward, (Tobias) unfurled his whip and charged it,
slashing at the darting form again and again, feeling cowhide
touch flesh as the wolf howled in pain and turned back.”
No wolf packs are expected during the re-enactment ride,
which lets participants enjoy Florida’s backcountry scenery
Riders go through the drive-in at a McDonald’s during the 2006 ride. At left,
riders camp out while on the trail, with much of their time spent relaxing
around a fire.
at a leisurely pace. Fredrick will again ride his 14-year-old
Florida Cracker horse, Jetta, a direct descendant of horses
from Spain. His wife, Backus Museum executive director
Kathleen Fredrick, doesn’t ride the trail now but helps
bring up the rear. She says she uses the Cracker Trail “to
decompress from my life.” Their daughter, Corinne, 20, rides
a quarterhorse. Father and daughter have ridden the trail
together for six years.
“Some of the best quality time I have with my daughter
is when we’re on horseback riding side by side,” he said.
“We get to talk and point out the different trees and birds
and wildlife. I especially remember the Charlie Creek area,
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RYAN McDERMID ILLUSTRATION