Horse rider passing through Cape on trip to Alabama

Some motorists on Route K were rubbing their eyes Thursday afternoon when they saw David Field of Patton Mo. riding down the street on horseback.

Field is on a 450-mile odyssey to Birmingham, Ala., where he hopes to see his uncle who is dying of cancer. Thursday was day three of the trip and Field said he has no idea how long it will take.

"Everyone's been really nice. They honk their horns and wave or take pictures with camera phones. That's a new one for me," Field said.

The mode of transport is a personal decision. "Five years ago I just felt life was just getting too fast-paced. So I decided to only ride on horseback. I've only driven once since then," he said.

Field, who trains horses professionally, is riding his 6-year-old Missouri Foxtrotter named Sunkissed Cheyenne on the trip. He says he camps out most nights, but will stay in hotels if the weather gets bad.

He stayed the night in Cape Girardeau and continued south today. He plans to travel on the shoulder of Interstate 55.

Field only has one luxury on this trip, his CD player. "I'm still looking for a place to plug it in," he said laughing and gesturing to the horse.

But even though his demeanor is light-hearted, his trip is a somber one. "I just hope I get there to see him one last time," he said of his uncle.