NORTH RIVER - There was no questioning Rose Bezanson had the time of her life on the weekend.
The West Branch, Pictou County, resident took part in her first wagon train ride along the Old Truro Road from North River to New Annan and loved every second of it.
"We are definitely coming back," she said excitedly. "We've already signed up and are talking about doing one in New Glasgow at the end of September."
About 12 families took part in the 22km journey, which took about five hours each direction. The group left North River Saturday and made camp in New Annan, before coming back on Sunday. Participants had a potluck supper and bonfire Saturday and travelled back in time to the days before mechanized transportation.
"It was the most awesome experience," Bezanson said. "We had the most amazing meal last night and we all came together as a group of people."
For sisters Olivia, Demetri and Evangelinia O'Brien, the ride was also unique first.
"We like going on wagon rides and we like horses, plus some of our friends are going too," said 12-year-old Olivia on Saturday before the group embarked. "We're hoping to see a lot of nature and the different horses along the way. We're all excited."
"Because we like wagon rides at our house, we thought this one would be fun too," Olivia added as she sat with her two sisters at the front of the family's wagon.
Olivia and her sisters - Demetri is 10 and Evangelinia is seven - all brought things to keep them occupied along the way and well into the overnight camp: Olivia had books to keep her company, Demetri is an artist and took plenty of paper and pens for drawing, and Evangelinia was going to "bounce from trailer to trailer."
Gathering in a field beside Chisholm Road, those going on the trek prepared themselves, their wagons and their horses.
For Amherst's Fred Gould, the excursion was a chance to get his two horses out on the road.
"I took them last year to the exhibition and then last weekend we went to Sackville for a wagon train," he said just prior to bridling the two four-year-olds. "It's good for the horses and they'll get to see a lot of things."
He said it's the first year for hooking the two horses together as they had previously been separated and worked with older horses.
When it comes to the event, which is hosted by the Clydesdale Association, Gould thinks it's a great idea.
"It's a chance to get out and do something that you really enjoy," he said.
During the ride, the group had plans to stop halfway for lunch and to feed the horses.
Once arriving in New Annan, the group had a potluck supper, followed by a bonfire and live local entertainment.
Some riders had plans on sleeping in their wagons overnight, while the O'Brien girls would stay in a family friend's camper.
