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Rosanne Thompson sent us this account of Gene riding ito Washington to meet LtGov Owen. The Images of Gene with the Governor are courtesy of the Governor's office.

Seven riders, 4 adults & 2 children, joined Gene at 7:30 a.m. at the Trails End arena on Tuesday, March 22. In the saddle they bowed their heads as Gene’s minister lead us in prayer. The minister and Gene’s son were here to join Gene at his 38th capital.

The 5.5 mile ride to the Washington State Capital began at 7:45. The weather was clear, none of the horses acted up, life was good. We were due to meet with Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen at 9:30. (The governor was out of state) Gene led his two pack horses as the small band traveled with no fanfare or police escort down Capitol Boulevard through rush hour traffic. Rush hour in Washington’s capital is pretty laid back. Construction workers waved, school buses full of children waved, people crossing the streets asked what it was all about.

As I rode next to Gene he talked about the adventures of two young lads traveling cross-county in 1902. Bud and Temple Abernathy were 5 & 9 years old when their parents allowed them their first trial ride. They went on to ride across the continent. I talked with him of my readings about other Longriders & how I was with him today as part of my dreams. Gene said one thing he’s learned from his travels is how few things one needs. That if I ever make a longride I’ll get home and start discarding some of the things that clutter my life and home.

The riders were all dressed like Gene: everyday riding gear, trail riders. We weren’t in a parade; we were keeping company with one man’s ride.

 

Don Diemert sent us this photo of Gene on Skate Creek Rd. to Packwood. The ladies with him are Bridgett and Bunny from the Roy, Wa. area, who rode with him.

 

25th March 2005
"I met Gene Glasscock at the Yelm, WA auction barn March 25, 2005, where his horses spent the night in a large paddock with feed and water. He has 4 horses, ranging from 850-1100 lbs. Two of them are BLM horses. All his horses were very well fed, no ribs in sight. They range from 14.3 to 15.2--easy to pack. Gene is 6'1". He's riding a Tucker saddle with wide stirrups. He has two sets of fiberglass pack boxes, one set for grain. His saddle blankets are the woven mesh type with another pad on top, uses neoprene cinches--he found they don't get wet or stretch, a halter-bridle headstall, snaffle, slicker tied in front of the pommel and a small pommel bag. A long coat tied in back. His reins are not leather more like poly. He's learned to conserve energy by standing on the tailgate to get in the saddle--when he has a chance to. He has on an orange hunting vest, western hat, blue jeans, western boots. His horses are shod where the shoe is brought to the front of the toe and the hoof toe is not rasped off. He has lots of trouble getting the feet done as he wants them. The Farriers want to rasp off the toes and set the shoes back a bit. For what he is doing, that is not what he wants. He paid $220 back east for one set of shoes, including barium for non-slip tread. He carries an ez boot or two. He rode out of Yelm about 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 25, a late start for him, heading 3-4 miles on highway 702 out of McKenna, which is east of Yelm for a place to stay for a couple days. A gal is trailering his 3 other horses to the overnight place. I procured a free cup of coffee at the Bunkhouse in McKenna that I handed to him as he rode past. His horse has to endure lots of semis, vans, log trucks etc., crossing a railroad bridge, a river bridge and as I watched him come towards me that horse was just putting those hooves down as fast as he could at a walk, watching his footing, missing a puddle, stepping over curbs and trucking down the side of the road. I wish him well is getting to Ashford, Packwood, and over White Pass and on to Yakima."

Sondra Johnston

31st March 2005
"Gene passed by our house on Monday March 28, 2005 as he was headed to Ashford, Washington. My two blue heeler dogs ran out and started barking at the horses and my horses were immediately at the fence (they love passers-by). I just assumed it was one of the locals riding by. Then on Wednesday March 30 an article came out in the local newspaper, The Eatonville Dispatch, telling Gene’s tale. It was very touching to me and I immediately sent off a contribution to The Philips Fund. Gene’s story is now posted on our refrigerator and is a source of great inspiration to our family. We’ll be keeping tabs on him from now on. Good luck on the trail ahead. God bless you!"

Pat & Jenny Dow

13th April 2004
"My name is Austin Dennis and I met Gene on his ride thru Washington, near St. John(Whitman County). I had the pleasure of his company for about 5 minutes and from the info I gathered he is a really interesting man. It takes allot of courage to do what he does. He left me with a piece of advice, "The only important thing you lose along the way, is your childhood friends." So if you knew Gene as a child he sure seems to miss not keeping track of you. I will try to keep track of his progress and hopefully see him finish his journey."

Austin Dennis

15th April 2004
"It was a pleasure to meet you here in Rosalia, Gene. I hope you enjoy the two tapes I gave you. I wish you the best on your odyssey across America. Have a safe journey, my friend."

Rudy, Dad, Grand Pa, Friend

15th April 2004
"Hi Gene I just got this email about you and I am so excited about your journey. I wish I would have heard earlier so when you were in Washington State we could have come to see you . We are very active in the Cowboy Church International. This organization takes the Church to the Rodeos and Cowboy Churches across America. We will be praying for you and your safety as you cross this beautiful country and your horse too. I am very glad that you now have a gaited horse . It is so much easier on the body. I raise Missouri Fox Trotters horses. May God be with you. "

Rosemary and Ragnar Gustafson

23rd February  2006

Mr. Glasscock,

My parents saw an article in a magazine about a man who rode his horse from the Arctic Circle to the Equator. They told me over the phone about this man named Gene Glasscock and wondered if it could be the Gene Glasscock we knew when we lived in Maple Valley and attended Hobart Community Church. I searched the internet and I see the resemblance in pictures about your historic rides of the man I remember.

If you are…I was only about 7 or 8 at the time but I remember your son Shawn and I were the same age. I would visit your place up in the watershed after church some Sundays and we would fish in the creek behind your home. That would have been about 1970 if my memory is correct.

I am now 44 years old and work for a manufacturing company in Spokane. My parents, Henry and Lillian Holmberg are still living on a small farm in Dayton Washington.

If it is not too much trouble, I would enjoy a reply and if possible an update about Shawn.

Eric Holmberg