80 DAYS ON MULEBACK? NO WAY!

Yes! That is what a group of mule riders has been doing for the last month - crossing part of Brazil to fulfill an old dream of theirs.  
Why mules? Because a mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, and the mule possesses the even temper, patience, endurance and sure-footedness of the donkey, and the vigor, strength and courage of the horse.
The adventurers will travel almost 3,500 miles and spend three months away from home. The ride began one month ago in the municipality of  Espera Feliz (Happy Wait) in Minas Gerais and the adventure will only end in Passo Fundo, in the gaucho state. 

The routine begins with a prayer and soon everybody is on horseback for another day's journey. The ride takes an average of 40 km/day, and at that pace they are supposed to cross six states in 80 days. They should reach their final destination in the first half of May. The group is made ​​up of 20 riders, mostly traders, farmers and retirees from the states of  Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais, who invested in the project of  reviving long gone muleteer times. "Our objective is to unwind and get to know new families of horseriders", says one of the participants. 

The trip was planned over a year, and everything is happening as anticipated. Difficulties were also included along the journey - leaving family and jobs behind. The second obstacle was the  knock-down heat in Rio de Janeiro. The third one is the cold south. In short, they chose to tread the path of ancient drovers. And it pays!