10th September, Wanaque, New Jersey
"Gene arrived at our home and we helped him find a place to stay for the next night. After locating his next destination we spent the rest of the day and night talking about all of his adventures. We had a great time with Gene and feel very honored to have met someone with such dedication. On Thursday morning he was up at the crack of dawn to feed his animals and get on the road again. My grandchildren were really excited to meet a "real" cowboy! We were able to get him some newspaper coverage, and the Mayor of Wanaque, N.J., stopped by to say "hello"! Good luck Gene - wherever you are and wherever the trails take you."
The Garbowski Family
11th September, Montville, New Jersey
"Willow Run Farms of Montville, NJ was delighted to meet Gene and of course those two handsome gentlemen accompanying him, George and Frank. Although the night was full of NJ mosquitoes it was highlighted with horse stories, personal anecdotes, and lengthy discussion of NJ's congestion.
May the path you choose provide you with good footing for George and Frank, a place to rest your head, kind hearts and faces, and the respect you deserve.
God Bless."
Willow Run Farms
16th September, Lambertville, New Jersey
"I had the pleasure of meeting Gene today as he was riding down our road, RT 579 on his way to a layover a couple of miles down the road. We had a nice chat, he got off his horse and both horses enjoyed some grass and apples here on our farm.
I wish him all the best on his journey."
Lena O'Brien
18th September, Tabernacle, New Jersey
"My son, Joe Kennedy, who manages the Agway Store in Columbus, received a phone call from the State Police in Trenton to tell them that Gene and his two wonderful horses were on their way down Route 206 and could Joe be so kind to help him out with some grain and hay and help him find a place to stay for the night. Immediately Joe thought of our farm, so he called me at work and of course I said YES send him down. When he got to the store he had already traveled his quota of miles for the day so he spent the rest of the day with Joe, where George and Frank got LOTS to eat and Joe really enjoyed listening to all of Gene's interesting stories. Joe called me that night and said "Mom you are really going to love this guy...he is so interesting" and the next morning Gene started for Tabernacle.
I work as a paid EMT for Virtua Health Systems and I was on a call, and sure enough as I am crossing Route 206 and am on Route 38 heading to Mount Holly, there goes Gene on his horse, packing the other one. I was so excited to see him and was surly hoping that he was headed for the farm. My husband, Lou Gerber, called me around 3 in the afternoon to tell me that Gene had arrived. I picked up my granddaughter, Ashlee, on my way home from work and when I walked in the front door, there in the recliner sat Gene, all showered and just waiting for a good home-cooked meal, one thing that my son had promised him that he would get if he made it to my house. I whipped up a good meal, washed Gene's clothes and made him a comfy bed for the night. Gene and I talked until at least midnight and I tried to get him to stay for the weekend, but he didn't want to be behind in his journey. The next morning I cooked him a nice breakfast and we all went out to see him off. He let Ashlee sit on George and we took lots of pictures. I was really sad to see him leave, but I know that he had to be on his way.
It was a pleasure and an honor to have Gene as a guest in our home and we sure hope that our paths cross again someday.
GOD BLESS you Gene and may your journey be safe and loaded with good friends and good food. Give George and Frank a hug from all of us."
Gayle Gerber
20th September, Tabernacle, NJ
"I had the privilege and honor of meeting Mr. Glasscock and his two wonderful horses, George and Frank! They were passing through Tabernacle, NJ coming from our state capital, Trenton. He had stopped at Russo's Farmer's Market where George and Frank were eagerly accepting apples! Gene and I chatted briefly about his journey and I was instantly struck by his grace and "down-to-earth" attitude. He was not impressed with himself or his accomplishments) and was genuinely focused on his ride, his horses and the reasons) for this trip. What a spectacular individual to 'take life by the horns' and live it fully! So many of us dream of that feat and he is such an inspiration to "take a second look" at our lives and why we're here. It truly IS the free and simple pleasures God has given us that make life worthwhile! Thank you, Gene and may God shine on you and your very special horses!!"
Jennifer Hill, Shamong, NJ
20th September, Wharton State Forest, NJ
"We met Gene, Frank and George at the Wharton State Forest. We were first attracted to those two beautiful horses. The children ran over for a quick pet. But Gene insisted they jump right on and enjoy the horses. As soon as I heard his story, I asked him immediately where he was staying that night. My family and I had 3 cabins we were camping out at. I instantly asked him to come back after he puts his horses up for the night and stay with us. Although all of the bedrooms were full, we could squeeze him in somewhere.
While he was gone, I realized I had just invited a complete stranger to stay with us. He returned rather quickly, and quite honestly I thought to myself, "What have I done?" After just a short while of talking with Gene, I realized he was truly a wonderful person and I was so glad we invited him to stay. We fixed him up a nice dinner, sat by the fire and told stories all night. He was very interesting. My mother spent most of the time with him and says she feels blessed to have met him. Gene ended up staying at her cabin that night and she made sure she made him a nice goody bag for his trails.
The next morning he was up at the crack of dawn. But he came back for a quick goodbye and gave the children a chance to say goodbye to Frank and George. We had planned a nice breakfast for the morning but he said he had to be on his way.
We wish Gene and his horse the best that life has to offer. We are sure that wherever he goes, the sun will shine down on him. We are so glad to have met him."
The Gyorffy Family & The Herbert Family
20th and 21st September, Buena, NJ
"Hi, my name is Terry and I was blessed to meet Gene, Frank, and George on Saturday Sept 20, just after they had met Jill in Tabernacle. I work at Wharton State Forest on Rt. 206 in Shamong and Gene blew in about lunch time. We were a little busy at the time, but in between our customers, Chief Ranger C. Capoferri and I got to spend about an hour or more with Gene while we arranged accommodations for him for the evening. He is remarkable... patient, caring, humble, gracious. Although he had a campsite, and the boys had a corral to share with some goats across the road at King's Farm... Gene ended up spending the night in a cabin with a wonderful family who also fed him dinner. Before parting, Gene inquired about a Feed Store for the boys' supplies. Right after Church today, I grabbed my friends James and Laura, to take them on an adventure. A neighbor was kind enough to give me 50 lbs. of feed, a few at church passed me some donations for Gene, and I packed up some light food. We were off! It only took us about an 1 1/2 hours to locate Gene. I think he was surprised to see us. We just kept asking folks in Hammonton if they had seen the man ride by on the horse... when they answered "He had two of them!" we kept following their directions. There was a little confusion at the end of the day regarding overnight arrangements, but thank God for Guy and Theresa Collins! They had just opened a new business and took care of Gene and his companions.
I left Gene after well wishes, picture taking, and laughter... confident that he was in good hands. Theresa even invited
us for dinner! What a great day...James loved riding Frank down Rt. 54, (his first time on a horse), and Laura was a sport, even though we didn't stop to eat until 3:30!
God Bless you, Gene... I'm only sorry I didn't have time to hear more of your stories... maybe next trip."
Terry Schmidt - Lower Bank, NJ
22nd September, Estell Manor, NJ
"Had the occasion to meet Gene today at Bruno's restaurant in Dorothy, N.J.. He is a remarkable person. easy to chat with. HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU GENE."
Bill Mitchell
24/25th September, Cape May, NJ
"I just want to thank Gene for allowing me the opportunity to spend the night with Frank, George and Gene himself. It was a thrill to show him our 'Southern Hospitality' in a town known for hosting presidents and other dignitaries. In the morning it was off to the Cape May Lewis Ferry VIA horse trailer to get them all to Delaware. The Captain of the MV Delaware allowed Gene & myself to visit the helm and Gene entertained them all with his tales of adventure with his beloved horses as the ferry headed across the Delaware Bay. This man has enough energy and a smile to light up the world! God bless you on your journey."
Beverly Carr
15th December
"I haven't seen anything new on the website about Gene since the 7th...are you talking to him on a regular basis? We only knew him for such a short time but he is in our hearts and prayers every day...he is such a special person and we feel that just knowing him has enriched our lives so much...it sure was our lucky day when we got to meet him and share our home with him...make sure and tell him that I and my whole family ask about him often..."
Gayle Gerber
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you so much for keeping us all informed about Gene...I hope that the New Year brings Gene an abundance of good health and the chance for him to meet and greet new friends...and continue on his mission to help others...he is truly an inspiration to everyone that he meets..."
Gayle Gerber and Ashlee
19th January
"Gene called me on Saturday...and he has asked if Ashlee can come to Ohio when he gets near the end of his trip so that she can ride the last day with him...all of us at Crosswinds Farm think Gene is absolutely wonderful ...this has been an experience now and ongoing for us to meet and get to know Gene...we just love him and wish him so much luck and good fortune on completing his journey..."
Gayle Gerber
