'Giddy Up for Wishes' saddles up with Garmin

So often we update our blog readers on GPS-guided travels by foot, in the car, on a boat or in a plane. Recently however, Garmin has been along for a different kind of ride - as we've been apart of one woman's 'Giddy Up for Wishes' journey across Canada on horseback. On March 30, Martha Birkett left Ottawa on horseback for a 2200-mile journey along the Trans-Canada Highway to Calgary, Alberta with a goal of raising money and awareness for The Children's Wish Foundation. Along with her for the ride are a few of Garmin's most popular devices. Martha checked in with us yesterday, and says the nüvi 350 allows her to pinpoint things so easily. "I'm able to realistically plan for stops and day rides. Not all overnight stops are on the highway, so by putting in addresses and/or intersections, we aren't having any trouble locating them," she said.

With five weeks of riding behind her and eight more to go, Martha and her team have also been communicating with a pair of Garmin Rino 530HCx devices. "The driver is able to warn me of any traffic that I should be made aware of that is coming up from be hind me as well as contacting me if I have any media calls that need to be taken immediately. The front driver will also radio back to the back driver if there is any concern ahead, i.e. wildlife on the road, as I often don't see this because my horses are traveling directly behind the trailers."

When we heard from Martha yesterday, she was in between Nipigon and Thunder Bay Ontario, and reports the trip has been going very well and the receptcion from Canadians has been overwhelming. All of the money raised from her journey will go to The Childrens Wish Foundation to help childen with high-risk, life threatening illnesses see their wishes come true. And speaking of wishes, Martha has been carrying 'The World's Biggest Wish' with her since the start of her ride. To kick-off her journey, the Foundation, through the work of students from the Algonquin College, organized the event in which all people in attendance collectively made a wish for world peace. Balloons were released and then a wish child gave her that wish to carry in a leather pouch on her saddle.

"I want to do something that will make a big difference to the lives of children. I believe in the healing effect that working toward a positive goal can have in helping people overcome life's challenges," says Martha.

Click here to learn more about Martha's adventures, Giddy Up for Wishes, The Children's Wish Foundation or to make a donation.

(photo courtsey of Giddy Up For Wishes)