Published: October 09, 2007 03:01 pm            

Back Roads: Visionary trail

Originally published in the October 5, 2007, print edition.

Dale Pavlis of Hadley grew up in the cowboy country of Gregory, S.D. He has ridden horses all his life.

“I’ve always wanted an excuse to ride back through those Missouri River hills,” Pavlis said. “This gave me a good excuse.”

Pavlis made his trek as a fund-raiser for the Lions Club International Foundation’s Sight First II campaign. The LCIF has challenged Lions Clubs to raise $150 million to combat blindness through surgery and medication, and to help build eye hospitals and clinics. When he suggested the ride, his Hadley Lions Club was “100 percent supportive of this whole crazy idea.”

He purchased two free-moving cross-country horses — Penny, a 5-year-old mare, and Joe, a 3-year-old gelding. He rode them every day, practicing with bridges, traffic, every situation he could think of. He rode them through nature areas where pheasants occasionally flush.

The horses were “treated like royalty,” he said. They got shoes on all four hooves, baths and feed supplements. They received both veterinary and chiropractic check-ups.

Prior to the ride, he drove the route he would take, plotting midday breaks and overnight stays. People were alerted to his coming, and their excitement grew. On Sept. 9, Pavlis rode away from his Hadley home. He said he got a wonderful reception, and Lions Clubs along the way lent their support. Restaurants fed Pavlis meals; folks provided pasture for Penny and Joe.

Averaging more than 20 miles a day and taking a one-day rest in the middle, Pavlis covered the 235 miles in 10 days, arriving on Sept. 19. He was welcomed with a ride down Gregory’s main street, and feted at a huge party at his sister’s home. “I wouldn’t have traded this vacation for anything,” he said. “It was an experience of a lifetime.”

Pavlis owns Pavlis Auction and Realty in Slayton. He has been an auctioneer for 20 years, working auctions all around the area and as far away as Alaska. He has helped out many folks with his fast-talking; now he has helped the blind with his riding.

People were making donations throughout his ride, and it’s still not too late to help. Donations may be mailed to: Dale Pavlis, 11 Summit Lane, Hadley MN 56151, with checks made payable to Hadley Lions Club.

        

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