Sister Spotlight: New Member Sister #13405
Author and long-distance horse rider Bernice Ende stands with her stalwart companions from earlier rides: Honor and Claire Dog.
I truly look forward to meeting Bernice at some point in the near future, I hope it is sooner rather than later! 
You have had many adventures since you started long riding. Why did you choose to join Sisters on the Fly?
"I've always been a solo traveler, one reason being that I ride 10-30 miles a day, and don't know exactly where I will camp each night, which is often on open public land. Another reason, is that I'd really never heard much of SOTF until Sarah Wilson was telling me about you. Again, I thought I wasn't a "fit." Then this year on my book tour, driving my pickup and trailer, camping in the trailer itself, and needing to find those kinds of compatible camping places each night, I felt like maybe I had more in common. But now I am very excited about all the possibilities, meeting Sisters at my talks, but also that Sisters are inviting me to join "events" when my travels meet up with them. One of the reasons I ride is to encourage women leadership. I love independent women!"
What one piece of advice can you offer to another member that is hesitant about "getting out there" alone for the first time?
Fear, the single most definitive reason why most do not "get out there" is a heady thing. And truly it is all in ones head. To proceed with out fear is freedom. Replacing fear with caution, attentiveness and skill is my personal way. The very act of BEING PREPARED will usually in and of itself set one in motion, make the wheels turn. But to be clearly attached to the vision you have set for ones self is also very important be very clear about what and where and why you are going. THEN, prepare. Embrace uncertainty, surprise, mystery."
I love to ride, my horse Andy is almost 20 so we don't go very far or very long. At this time in my life I don't believe I will get another horse. For those that don't ride or have never ridden but would like to....what would you say to encourage them to do so?
Actually I do not encourage women who have never ridden or who have not ridden for many years to go off on rides and or to purchase a horse. It's far to dangerous. As we age we lose our response skills, agility nor we do not bounce as we once did.
I do however, encourage older women whose riding skills have faded or have never existed to take riding lessons in a safe environment, on safe horses, with an instructor in an arena with sand!
If you would like to see what Bernice is up to at this very moment, click here: https://www.endeofthetrail.com
the Fly back then?
laughed till I wet my britches. I’ve been in the back seat of a car on a gravel road wondering if we were sliding into the side of the mountain or no, into the river. Thankful for the skill of our driver, we did neither.
welfare now and for the future. She is a very special Sister, besides being the daughter of co-founder Maurrie Sussman, Sister #1. Learn a little about her here and maybe learn something you never knew about her.
(circa 2000) and as I near retirement, I plan to be more active in regional SOTF activities and the Idaho Casting for Recovery fundraising effort on behalf of SOTF.
Bear signs everywhere. I was convinced I was going to be eaten. A bison strolled within 20 yards of us. I was convinced I was going to be stampeded. Five doe-eyed deer walked shoulder to shoulder. I was convinced I was going to be charged at. But I did it....I camped amongst nature after years of saying “I can’t” for fear of being eaten, stampeded or charged at. I share this picture because even standing there at Glacier I was uneasy wondering what set of eyes were upon me ready to pounce out of the woods...but I did it.
pastimes while camping are laying in my hammock with a good book, riding my bike and taking long strolls. Another happy place is in my kayak. I love to paddle long and far to wash away all the stress. I have recently acquired a love for yoga and the inner peace it gives me as well as the physical health.
friend who was taking this fascinating trip along the Lewis and Clark trail with a group of women. He said, “You should check it out, Tanya. They are your kind of women!!” He was so right. Joining SOTF has been so fulfilling for me. None of my local friends like to camp, so finding a group of women who love it as much as I do has been so exciting. While joining a fellow Sister on her maiden voyage in her newly purchased camper, my 18 hours with her was eye-opening. That's when I learned how glorious it was to camp without my family! 
break to visit my son and attend the SOTF event Wonderful Women of Waxahachie. At one point my aunt, exasperated with worrying about my cross country wanderings said “you’re just like your grandmother!” I gladly accepted that as a compliment. One of my many highlights on this trip was teaching my 16 year old daughter to tow. Because we were traveling over 1,200 miles I wanted her to know what to do in case of an emergency. She was elated and so proud of herself! I feel it’s something everyone should learn how to do, just like driving a standard transmission. 
small Frolic camper and would take me camping with her. To this day I cherish those memories. She has always taught me women can do anything we put our mind to! My camper is named Lil Viv after my grandmother and a reminder of our times in her little camper.
me). Yes, it was intimidating a little bit, but I love her. I only couldn’t see behind me. Who cares?! And now I had to rely on my mirrors solely. Okay! So with both feet, I jumped behind the wheel and just figured it out with a little helpful guidance along the way. Yes, bigger and two axles is easier! The best advice I can give to any Sister starting out with a trailer for the first time... BREATHE and don’t let some anxiety or a little intimidation hold you back! When you run into a problem – stop, breathe, and try again! This is how I got comfortable backing her up my 250’ driveway! So the tire tracks looks like a snake’s path at first; who cares?!
Northwest Financial Wrangler, Oregon Wrangler, Western Washington Wrangler and National Cabela’s Wrangler. Robin was the hostess for the 2013 Northwest Gathering in Long Beach, WA where just under $45,000 was made via auction and donated to a local charity called Camp Victory.
waited for Robin to catch up. After thoroughly checking weight distribution, loading, weight on the tongue and discussed speed – it was concluded there was no visible reason things weren’t safe. Back on the road, this time Robin (and Cowgirl Hideout) in front of Guy (in the semi) so he could “watch” things. Communicating back and forth – increasing speed, changing lanes, assurances given and best wishes for a safe and fun trip to SoCa – when Robin found herself jerked in her seat, a trailer leaning in her side mirrors, sparks flying behind her and the immediate thought of “he knows I’m in trouble, he can take care of himself” as she pulled in front of the truck and to the side of the road as quickly as possible. Once stopped, Guy ran up to the tow rig only to find her with her head on the steering wheel when he asked “Are you okay? Wow – you did a great job keeping things upright – can I get you anything?” to which Robin responded “maybe a clean pair of pants”. 
sites for 35 years and now spending as much time as possible pulling around a little trailer she knows that accidents happen – and sometimes there is nothing you can do about them BUT………she also knows there is so much more you can do to be safe not only for yourself but others. With this in mind and meeting so many sisters who had never towed a trailer, Robin created a small handout and began conducting “Trailer 101 Safety Classes”. Each class has taken on a different “feel” but the most important thing is that each attendee take away something that contributes to being a little safer on the road. SOTF does have more fun than anyone but Robin teaches “you need to be a woman behind the wheel and a girl in the campground!”