Gene Glasscock

"I spoke with Gene earlier today as we worked on planning his route through Virginia. His horses are presently being stabled at the National Park Service stable in the Washington/Arlington area. He is taking a few days off to attend a BLM sale and tour the DC area. He plans to start his ride again on Wednesday October 15th at White's Ferry. From there he will ride through Loudon and Fauquier counties, then on south towards Culpeper, Orange, Lake Anna, Beaverdam, Hanover and then on into Richmond."

11 October - Gene's 69th birthday!
"Happy Birthday Gene. Hope you have an enjoyable one. Been following your Long Ride as best as I can over the Internet since you, Frank and George left Montpelier, Vermont. Happy Trails Gene. May God continue to bless you both on your journey and in your life as you share it with others as you so generously as well as graciously have been doing."

And so say all of us at The Long Riders' Guild!

"I got to meet Gene Glasscock on Saturday, October 11th, at the Wild Horse & Burro Auction held by BLM at Meadowood Farm in Lorton, Virginia. What a nice man! He told me that it was his birthday so I took out one of my small carrots, held it up like a candle & sang a Lucille Ball version of Happy Birthday to him. He said that he was going on a horseback tour of Washington, DC the next day with some of the Mounted Park Police. They were going to see the monuments downtown. When I asked Gene about camping out on his journey, he told me that he has yet to have to sleep outdoors. The kindness of strangers has always provided him with a place to sleep and a meal. Let's all say a prayer for his safe journey & hope that he continues to have a wonderful time."

12 October, Virginia
"I was delighted to be on an email list asking for help getting Gene through Hanover County to Richmond, our Capitol. To be able to meet someone like this and to be able to help in any way is a thrill, and our little 4H club is ready to do whatever we can. I'll bet 4H clubs throughout southern Virginia can rise to the cause as well, if they hear about it in time! Looking forward to being in on an adventure!!"

16 October, Maryland
"In September 2002, Gene Glasscock and his two Tennessee walking horses began an historic journey to visit all 48 state capitals in the continental United States. The goals of this journey are to raise scholarship funds and to demonstrate the energy and contributions of senior citizens.
Trail Blazer magazine called and asked for support services for Gene while he was in Maryland. As a representative of Trail Riders of Today, I agreed to welcome him to Maryland and coordinate this part of his journey.
Gene Glasscock arrived at Sandy Point State Park October 6th after being trailered across the Bay Bridge. I had planned the best route for his trip to Annapolis to meet Governor Ehlrich and then into Washington, DC to be a guest of the National Park Police Afterward he was on to Virginia.
Upon his arrival in Maryland, the arrangements for his overnight accommodations fell through. Jane Toal was with me to help any way she could. She was to be his guide on a tour of Annapolis after his horses were settled. We had to do some creative planning which involved going house to house on the route we had plan until we found someone who would agree to keep his horses for the night. We found the friendly family of John Duvall just a few miles down the road. They welcomed Gene's horses with open hearts and big smiles and their young daughter Jenna was especially helpful. The next day her whole class looked up the Long Riders Guild on the Internet and read about all of Gene's escapades. Jane agreed to let Gene stay at her place.
After a lunch at Jane's we took a tour of Annapolis and Gene was shown the route he would ride Tuesday. We planned to travel to the city and then trailer back to the Duvall's to await the Governor meeting on Wednesday. Gene was adamant about riding every mile of his trip. He declined even a mile of trailering when he could ride. The plan was for him to proceed through Annapolis and pick up Route 450 outside of town to Bowie's rail trail. It was 22 miles of hard road riding. Jane and I had planned to follow him with a bright caution sign and blinkers.
One would think that a man and two walking horses would be easy to keep an eye on and follow. As we were starting out the owner of the parking lot where we had made arrangements to park ask us to move my trailer to the other side of the lot. Gene said he would start as there was a good bikeway on the side of the road. When Jane and I went down Rowe St. to find him he was nowhere in sight. We learned that he had not followed the route but had traveled down West street, one of the busiest streets through the heart of Annapolis. After some frantic searching, many cell phone calls and pure luck, we finally caught up with him at a gas station. He was talking to a reporter and waiting for a photographer. He made the front page of the Annapolis Newspaper the next day.
The route Gene took down Route 450 had a very narrow shoulder. Gene's horses, Frank and George, were kicking up bottles and cans at an amazing rate. We arrived safely and got Gene's horses settled before he and Jane went to a dinner given by the Chesapeake Plantation Walking Horse Club where he was the guest of honor and the main speaker.
Gene's meeting with Governor Ehrlich went very well. We marched down Rowe St. escorted by Jackie Cowan on her white walker with the Maryland flag furling out in the breeze. The Governor saw us in Lawyers Mall at the base of the capital steps. We were in casual attire and he slipped out of his suit jacket and came to meet us in shirtsleeves. Gene was presented with a personal citation from the State of Maryland wishing him well in his journey and in his efforts to raise funds for the education of the youth of Paraguay.
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 hesitant 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. All the horses were very well behaved and left the capital amid friendly waves.
The Merkle family of Bowie were his hosts Wednesday night. They gave him a warm welcome.
Thursday was easy riding on the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis rail trail to Glendale and on to the Anacostia Trail system. Mary Angevine met him here and was Gene's host. They had a delightful visit. Gene stayed with Charles Sewell, Mary's dad, while the horses were next door at Mary's.
Friday I picked him up and trailered back to the start of the Anacostia trail system. Here he was greeted by Craig Kelltrom from Prince George Park and Recreation Department. I have to say a special thanks to Mary, TROTS Prince George trail coordinator and the PG Park and Recreation for their great trail system. Gene was able to follow the trails all the way down to Chillum and on into Washington via the Galloway Greenway to Kennedy Road. He rode three miles down this narrow city street through the heart on NW Washington to Rock Creek Park. He remained in DC for his 69th birthday and a grand tour of the mall on horseback.
Wednesday he returned to Maryland via the Rock Creek park to the C & O Tow Path and proceeded down it to Potomac. He was welcomed by Naomi Manders, TROTs Montgomery trails coordinator. Naomi had found a farm for Gene to keep his horses and marked the trail from the canal to the farm for Gene. While his horses were resting in the grassy fields at Callithear Farm, courtesy of George Sengstack, Gene stayed at my house..
On Thursday October 16 Gene finished his journey through Maryland when he met Jinx Fox at Whites Ferry for a trip across the Potomac to the 20th state on his long journey across America.
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."

As can be seen from the above message, Pat really bent over backwards to help Gene ride through Maryland. She has been unbelievably helpful - and Gene would like to extend his most grateful thanks.

Debbie Crowder, like Sally Aungier and Pat Oliva, worked like a Trojan to help Gene pass through Virginia. She wrote again:

28 October, Richmond, Virginia
"When we left the Capitol, we headed over to Children's Hospital, where Frank schmoozed some kids, particularly sweetly with this one girl about 13-14 who was in a comatose state (in a wheelchair) whose Mom was with her and told Gene how she was struck by a car last year and how she used to love horses. Made me want to cry. I can't tell you how touching that whole visit was.
Everyone who's met with Gene so far in our Central Virginia area has taken to calling each other for Gene updates: "did you see him, is he doing okay?" "did you see his picture in the paper?" (today! in the Metro section) "where is he now?" "who gets him next?"... My advice to future hosts: accidentally keep something of his or offer to take care of some little matter for him so you can have an excuse to get in the truck and drive a couple of hours (he moves fast!) to catch up and get it to him!
We miss him. We think he has angels following him."

29 October, Virginia
"I put Gene and his horse up for the night after he visited the Capital in Richmond, Va. I was e-mailed from some horse friends asking for help. I am so glad I offered. He is so interesting and a delight to meet. His cause for the children of Paraguay is so touching. He stayed at the house with us and ate dinner and breakfast. His horses enjoyed running in the pasture and the treats we gave them. Anyone who is fortunate enough to help him along his Journey will feel enriched. He has so many wonderful stories to tell. I hope to see him again."

29 October, Virginia
"On Wednesday, October 29 we picked Gene up at the Durham home where he was staying at 8:00 AM. Debbie Crowder (our daughter) requested that we take Gene to Lancaster County on the northern neck of Virginia so that Gene could attempt to find his ancestral home. After a visit to the courthouse we learned that the records did not go back to 1643 because the county did not exist at that time. Then it was Richmond County. The clerk did advise us to try the genealogical library located 2 doors down the street.
It was closed but a very nice lady "Mary Kay" allowed us to come in after hearing our plight. She was kind enough to locate books and other documents about the Glasscock family before and after 1643. This wealth of information revealed to Gene that he was related to George Washington and that an old plantation "Indian Banks" was possibly the old ancestral home of Gene's.
After a beautiful ride down to the banks of the Rappahannock River, we did indeed find the old plantation. Not only did we find the house, we found the current residents home. After a short conversation with Jim Durham and his wife Connie, Gene found out that these gracious folks were distant cousins. They gave us a wonderful tour of their lovely home, and shared much history about the house and family with us. We reluctantly left and traveled back across the Rappahannock and then the Piankatank Rivers so that Gene could see another location where his family had lived many years ago. Being with Gene these several hours was a real joy, as he shared many stories about his adventures.
We then drove back to Hanover County and brought Gene back to the home of Alex and Claire Durham. (no relation to James & Connie Durham).
Gene is truly doing God's work as he tells all he comes in contact with about his mission in spreading the Gospel and the children of Paraguay. Gene is correct when he says that he is the wealthiest man in the world. (not monetary) Godspeed in your mission, Gene."

31 October, Petersburg, VA
"Hello, We are the host family of Oct 31, 2003. Gene stayed with us and amazed us with his love for what he is doing. We own and operate an American Saddlebred Show Horse barn. We hope he is doing well. Our biggest concern was for him to find a good blacksmith for his walking horses so that they will not stumble . We had long discussions on how different breeds need different shoeing. The art of blacksmithing is in short supply these days.
Please know that we will be watching your progress and if we can assist in any way please call upon us. With real men like this around --- who needs Super Heroes? We met the real thing."

3 November, Freeman, Virginia
"I serve on the Trails Committee for the Virginia Horse Council. Recently Sally Aungier (who heads up the Trails Committee) sent out an email requesting assistance for Gene's ride through Virginia. My husband and I had the pleasure of hosting Gene and his horses this past weekend (Nov. 1st and 2nd). Gene is an inspiration to all. We certainly enjoyed our visit with him and was especially happy to have him visit with us through the weekend. Usually Gene doesn't travel on Sunday and likes to be able to go to church services when he can. Gene and I attended services at the Reedy Creek Baptist Church just up the road from our home. In order to allow the sores on Frank's (I think) back more time to heal, his pack equipment has been ferried by one host to another. After my husband dropped Gene, George and Frank at U. S. #1 @ Highway 712 this morning, he was going on ahead to drop off Gene's pack horse gear at his next stop. Currently Gene is riding along U.S. #1 in Brunswick County and will be staying tonight just north of South Hill. We wish him the best of luck and will be following his travels."

27th June 2004
"Hello, This is Joy and Bobby Bowman of Petersburg, VA. We hosted Gene here at our home and barn on Oct. 31, 2003. We are so glad to see his good progress. We are watching in amazement as he makes this journey. He is in our thoughts and prayers. We were so touched by him that I just can't get this whole idea out of my mine. I had great concerns about him getting blacksmith help for his walking horses and I see now he has changed some horses. We are in the middle of horse show season with American Saddlebred show horses and although some days seem really long and hot - I just think about what Gene is doing and it makes my day a lot easier. Watching you!!!!!!"

29th June 2005
"We have been following your progress and enjoying reading about you and the horses. We hosted you in our town of Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia in October 2003. The 4H kids still use you as a topic for Public Speaking contests! Mom and Dave Wilcox said to tell you hello, (trip to ancestral home) and the Durhams, Alex and Claire send you their best as well. We've been praying for you and hope your travels will be as inspirational to others as they are to us here in Virginia. Godspeed and all my love, "

Debbie Crowder

20th January 2006

Happy Trails from Virginia. So good to hear that you have completed your trip and that your beloved horses have found good homes. You are an inspiration to all of us! As a member of the Virginia Horse Council, Sally Aungier emailed me requesting assistance in routing and housing for both and the horses. My husband, Francis, and I hosted you, Frank and George over a weekend after you had visited with our Governor Warner in Richmond. (In fact, I have a picture taken of the Governor on either Frank or George with you standing beside him). I was able to get then Governor Warner to autograph the picture for me last year when he came down to the South Hill area for the Grand Opening of a multi-use trail. Once completed, through procurement of old railroad beds, etc., we hope to have about 100 miles of trails. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

We three went out to breakfast Sunday morning and got locked out of the truck but we managed to get back home in time to change clothes and get to church - Reedy Creek Baptist Church - on time.

Looking forward to reading more about your trip through your book. Please keep us posted when it is published. Will look forward to purchasing at least one copy. Let us know if we can help you in any way

Nancy Watson