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October 2003 - Robert Ehrlich, Governor of Maryland handed Gene a huge and beautiful Governor's Citation, which was a "well-deserved tribute to honor your arrival in Maryland... with congratulations and best wishes as you continue your equestrian journey..."

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This photograph was taken by Janet Szymanski in Hancock, Maryland. Many thanks, Janet!

 
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Gene has visited the capital of Maryland, Annapolis, where he met Governor Ehrlich.
We are grateful to Mary Snyder for these photographs.
Jackie Cowan is the lady on the white horse with the Maryland flag furling out in the breeze, and Pat Oliva is holding Frank's bridle in the picture on the left. On the right, Gene proudly displays the Citation which Governor Ehrlich had handed him

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On the left are some photographs sent by Pat Oliva. Pat bent over backwards to help Gene during his journey through Maryland. In a letter to The Long Riders' Guild, Pat told us, "Gene surprised us all when he got off his horse at the capital. He informed the Governor that it was tradition for the Governors to mount his horse. Without any hesitation, Governor Ehrlich put his foot in the stirrup and mounted. For the first time in his life, Governor Ehrlich was astride a horse. The surrounding crowd and the people watching from office windows gave him a cheer of approval, and everyone was smiling and waving."
Pat went on to say, "Gene is an amazing man. He is so thankful for the help of others. He has something to teach all of us and many stories to tell on his quest."
The photographs on the right were sent in by Gene himself. In the top one Maryland welcomes him in, and in the lower two pictures Pat Oliva is with Gene.

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Gene, Frank and George on the beautiful C & O Canal Tow Path, Maryland

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Gene and the boys arrive on the C & O Tow Path at Whites Ferry, Maryland

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This beautiful photograph was sent by Craig Kellstrom of Maryland's Department of Parks and Recreation with the following message: "I was fortunate enough to meet Gene while he visited Prince George's County, Maryland in September on his ride toward the United States Capital. This is a photo taken of Gene and me at the footbridge over Indian Creek located in the Anacostia River Park owned by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County. Gene rode about 6 miles of this trail to get into Washington, DC. Our hats are off to Gene for approaching his goal of riding to all 48 contiguous state capitals." Thank you very much, Craig.

 

 

23rd October - College Park, Maryland
"Please convey my support, appreciation and best wishes to Gene, who I just read about on your website. I do not know how to contact Gene, but would like to invite him to stay with me when he gets to Maryland. I have done some trail riding in Paraguay, but not enough to qualify for membership in The Long Riders' Guild."

Antonio Segovia

28th February, Maryland
"Thank you for your website. I saw it tonight for the first time and am thrilled. My family would like to connect with Gene on his ride at some convenient spot. I had never heard about your group nor thought about the depth and need which your site so clearly expresses. We are so intrigued and impressed."
                                                                                                                                                                                 Cindy Sue Houser

25th April 2003, Maryland
"Hey Gene my name is Deputy Chris Helbig I am the police officer in MD with the K9's. You stopped to talk to me in my front yard on April 25, 2003. It was a real treat to hear of your travels. It intrigued me so much that I came right in and got on the web site. I really had no Idea of the actual history of your ride. Well I just wanted to wish you luck in the rest of your ride. Hope Harry Martin took you in for one of his namesake milkshakes. Good luck."

Chris Helbig


5th May, Maryland
"Hi Gene, we met you on your way to Hancock Maryland on the C&O towpath. We looked up your website and are very impressed with the magnitude of the feat you are taking on. It was a pleasure to meet you and good luck and god bless."

Sue and Bruce

7th May, Hagerstown
"Hello Long Riders, Gene looks well and is in Hagerstown, MD, at least for today he was. Tonight he is staying over the state line in a barn in PA. I was out working in the yard when the dogs started barking. When I walked around the front of the house I saw a man riding his horse and leading another one. I'd gone back in the house for a drink and my Grandmother called asking me to come over and pick up some old windows. As I started down the road, I saw these two horses tied up outside "Your Country Store". Wanting to meet the rider, thinking he was local, I pulled in and went inside. Gene was just finishing his lunch when I walked over and sat down. I introduced myself and he likewise. As I asked him some questions and talked with him a little I was really impressed with his personality and Christian outlook on life. He only talked with me maybe 10 minutes or so, and yet I find myself thinking of him several hours later and the life that he leads. Being a fellow horseman I can understand some of the daily trials he encounters and can only imagine the rest. I pray I have his charisma and joy for life when I get a little older. I wish you the best Gene and God Bless You on your journey."

Barry Munch

8th May, Pennsylvania
"Hi, My brother & I came upon Gene today as he was traveling North on Rt.11 in Pennsylvania. We were extremely impressed by him. Gene was asking how far it was to Harrisburg, Pa. We guessed he had about 50 miles ahead of him before he would see the capital of Pa. He was looking for a place to bed down for the day.
Unfortunately, we were not from the area & could not be of much assistance to him. After a short conversation we wished him well on his venture. My brother & I chatted bout Gene most of the way home. What a Cool Dude!"

Nancy Snyder


19th May, Halifax, Pennsylvania
"Fascinating!! What a truly inspirational man. We had the pleasure of meeting Gene and boarding Frank and George this evening along the bank of the Susquehanna River. Gene is undertaking a journey that we thought was of a bygone era. My father exchanged horse stories with Gene and invited him back on his next trip through. We wish him the very best in his adventure and we will be back to the website to check on his travel."

Donna, Todd & Dale

22nd May, Hancock, Maryland
"Hi, Gene and I crossed paths in Hancock, Maryland. Just beginning my vacation, I was traveling to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. I had stopped off in Hancock to view the canal. What a thrill it was to turn the curve onto the canal road and view a horseback rider. It was a grand sight. I had a very nice visit with Gene, Frank and George. I wish them well on their journey. "

Best regards Janet Szymanski

7 October, Crofton, Maryland
"I was so delighted to meet Gene. He came to our Chesapeake Plantation Walking Horse Club meeting before riding to Annapolis to meet the Governor. Gene is certainly an inspiration to all he meets, and especially to those over 50 who still get out and ride. I am sending some pictures that I took of Gene and Governor Erlich."

Mary Snyder

18th January 2005
"Hi Gene stayed with me and my family last year in the spring and I just was thinking about him. We enjoyed him staying with us and hope he's in good health. We have not been in our house for very long the people before us were in the horseman's club and one of the club members stopped by to see if Gene could stay for the night. He wanted to stay in the barn for the night but I wouldn't let him do that he stayed in my son's room and he had dinner with us. The day he left he let my 6 year old son take a ride on his horse before he got on the school bus that made my son's day. I'm glad to hear that he's doing well."
 

Susan, Corey, and Eddie Ge is Frost burg, Maryland