From Washington state to Delaware, Tracy Delp hopes to make a difference at every stop along the way.
The Washington state resident is riding horseback across the country to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Her mother, Millie Delp, died of pancreatic cancer in 2008.
"This little voice in my head said you should ride across the U.S for cancer," Delp said.
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T-R PHOTO BY ANDREW POTTER
Tracy Delp is pictured with her horse Sierra at the Quakerdale Wolfe Ranch east of Marshalltown Thursday. Delp, of Washington state, is riding Sierra across the country to raise awareness of cancer.
This year's journey atop her horse, Sierra, began in May in Montana, a spot where she left off cutting her trip short last year. On Wednesday and Thursday she spent time Marshalltown at the Quakerdale Wolfe Ranch for a break. She plans to head east to Tama for her next overnight stay Friday.
Delp relies on the kindness of strangers to help her along the way and to serve as her host.
"It reignites your outlook on humanity," Delp said. "There are really good people in the world."
She will have people who serve as her host drive her truck and trailer as she rides atop Sierra. Most days include approximately 10 to 15 miles of riding.
Her end to this effort is much like the journey itself - up in the air. She expects to arrive in Delaware and dip her feet into the Atlantic Ocean sometime in October or November.
"You never know what's going to happen," she said.
Delp has also learned the important things in life after leaving all of her possessions behind - except Sierra and her dog, Ursa.
"It's kind of a liberating feeling," she said.
She's also learning about the country and many spots she's never heard of like the 1880 town in South Dakota, a place where gold was found in Montana and that Iowa's own Le Mars is the Ice Cream Capitol of the World.
"My geography is getting really good," she said.
Find out more about her journey at www.coast2coastforcancer.webs.com.