By Brian Livingston
A New Hampshire man who was hurt when his horsedrawn recreational vehicle was smashed by a tractor-trailer in Mississippi last month says he plans to return to the road.
Bob Skelding of Deerfield is recovering in Hickory, N.C. from a Feb. 10 highway crash that killed two of his horses and demolished his homemade RV. He said from his sister's home that he is doing better each and every day and that he is considering returning to traveling up the eastern seaboard by June.
"I think I'll start around June with an entirely new team of horses," said Skelding. "Joyce and Doc, the two horses who survived, will likely not be part of the team."
Skelding's recreational vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler just south of the Noxubee-Kemper County line as he traveled south on Highway 45. He said he doesn't remember anything after leaving that morning to start the day's trek.
"After the crash, I remember waking up in the hospital a week and a half later in Meridian," Skelding said.
Joyce and Doc remain under the care of a veterinarian in DeKalb. Skelding said he'd travel down in the next three weeks to retrieve them. Both horses would be retired. Skelding cited Joyce's age and a lingering leg injury to Doc as the reasons why they would not join him on his next trip.
Skelding certainly made an impression with everyone he came in contact with during his 1,800 mile trip. As word got out he was seriously injured and two of his horses were killed in the accident, get well cards and e-mails began flooding in.
"The thousands of get well cards and e-mails were fantastic," said Skelding Tuesday afternoon. "The people in Mississippi were great as well. I deeply appreciate everyone's concern."
