Journey of a Life Time
Meet the White Family
‘Life- Schooling’ Boys to Men
by Laura Vass
Sangre de Cristo Sentinel
–Westcliffe, Colorado
(L to R) Terra, Joshua, Levi and Lucus White
The White Family, all raised in Nevada, set out from Susanville, California as a starting point in April of 2022, with the goal of traveling coast to coast with their sons as a homeschooling journey. The first journey destination was back to Elko, Nevada..
This week the Wet Mountain Valley is their “resting” point. The family is staying out on Gene and Denise Keller’s place as they prepare to speak and share at B-Bar-B Ranch as part of the EQUUS Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Gene Keller said in four days, the young men broke two green horses, one of which Denise is able ride now. “ They are good farriers, also.”
The parents, Joshua and Terra White, explain their vision for their sons Levi (16) and Lucus (15) this way:
We are on an adventure like no other! A home school journey across the United States; an epic adventure with perils and praise. Our vision is to cross the United States four years, horse-back; a true depiction of our interpretation of our pioneering fathers. Our pioneering fathers were made of iron. Men cut from a cloth that is no more. Our pioneering fathers displayed a code of honor and chivalry, that we have on our list of becoming men. Lucus,15 years, and Levi, 16 years, have embarked on a quest to endure all that comes their way. To endure all weather, freeze or burn. Ride and train their horses as they meet the world that they will be living in “head on” at three to 30 miles a day. They will meet all creeds and colors of men in this world furthering their right to be in it. They will manage all the money, plan all travel [routes] and they will endure and overcome all consequences and struggles, they will gain work ethics, they will learn bartering skills and much, much more. Dire moments overcome with grace and significant moments overcome with humble acceptance is on our man quest list Lord willing. This epic adventure is no sacrifice, only a parent’s duty, hopefully this is the greatest gift we can give two of the world’s best boys. The goal is that everything will be easy after this. God’s Country is the greatest most beautiful gift of all. Our motto: Live Don’t Just Exist!”
In visiting with them this week, it sounds like they are meeting all their goals thus far. The young men started out with $1,200 which they used to buy their horses and figure out how and what to pack. They took old saddles belonging to their granddad, ripped them apart and remade them to fit their needs. Over the last year, through work and barter they’ve updated their tack and equipment and have been very innovative. These young men even broke all their horses.
Levi and Lucus have learned much about themselves and the world around them, being in survival mode and having to create and implement solutions to each problem or complication as they travel. Both parents have a rodeo background, but Levi and Lucus have been responsible for mapping out routes, taking on odd jobs when funds are needed, training horses and much more.
Currently, they pack with two donkeys (Thelma and Louise) seven horses and two dogs, one of which they rescued from a bobcat trap and nursed back to health.
For an incredibly rewarding, once in a lifetime window into a life very similar to exploring the West 200 years ago, we encourage everyone to meeting Levi and Lucus at B-Bar-B Ranch. This IS true grit. As part of the EQUUS Festival/Mustang Summit this weekend, they are scheduled to speak/demonstrate at 2 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 29th – October 1st at the B-Bar-B Ranch located on CR 160/ Hermit Road outside Westcliffe, Colorado.
(This is a paid event) See below.
For the full schedule and online ticket purchases visit the Equus Film Fest website at www.equusfilmfestival.net, or you can purchase paper tickets here in Westcliffe at Candy’s Coffee on 2nd Street downtown Westcliffe, as well as Silver Cliff Mountain Inn (Willie’s Restaurant) in Silver Cliff. For the full schedule and online ticket purchases visit the Equus Film Fest website at www.equusfilmfestival.net, or you can purchase paper tickets here in Westcliffe at Candy’s Coffee on 2nd Street downtown Westcliffe, as well as Silver Cliff Mountain Inn (Willie’s Restaurant) in Silver Cliff.
To follow or support the Whites from Westcliffe forward, see their website https://www.llmanquest.com/or follow them on Tik-Tock for Facebook under L+L ManQuest. The White family plans on a more southern route for the winter months.
Thank you, White Family, for blessing us with your experiences and your warmth! We think you are a wonderful inspiration to us all! God keep and bless each of you!