Cowboy Crosses Country on Horseback to Reveal Unseen American Culture

Tuesday , November 13, 2007

FREDONIA, Kan. — 

And riding, and riding.

Weary of the daily drumbeat over war, crime, poverty and assorted social ills, he and his wife are burning through their life savings to tell the stories of hardworking, honest everyday people in rural America. Inman soaks it all in atop Blackie, a 16-year thoroughbred-quarter horse mix who's averaging 20-25 miles a day along backroads from Oregon to North Carolina.

"Unfortunately, the image they are portraying is there's corruption in every politician and there's criminals running everywhere," he said. "I guess guys that rope like me, we wouldn't need to rope steers. You could just sit out there and rope a criminal because they're coming by every 10 minutes."

Inman, 48, started June 2 from his hometown of Lebanon, Ore. Halfway through his cross-country trek dubbed Uncovering America by Horseback, he's rolled up 1,700 miles. His wife, Brenda, also 48, drives ahead in a pickup and horse trailer filled with water and provisions for Blackie, three dogs and themselves.

"The scenery in America is changing and I'm really proud we're taking a snapshot at slow motion of this time period because 20 years from now it will be different," he said.

The couple estimates the journey will cost them $45,000. They want to make a documentary film and write a book, and a filmmaker and Web site operator are tagging along.

"If we waited until we could afford to do it, we could never do it. It was do it now or never do it," Brenda said. "We gave everything up in our lives to do this. We used all our savings and everything else."

Said Bill: "It's probably the most stupid thing I've done financially, but I truly believe in it."

Hundreds of interesting people have greeted Inman along the way. There's the Dodge City man who collects bridle bits, spurs and barbed wire. A Wyoming deputy sheriff who drove 25 miles through a rain storm to bring dinner to the Inmans where they were camped. A Wyoming woman who gave Bill a pair of stirrups she bought as a Christmas present for her grandson before he was killed in car wreck.

He arrived in this rural town with jeans tucked into boots with spurs, a sweat-stained Stetson and a weathered face, leaving no doubt that ranching has been part of him all his life. As with most stops, they rely on a combination of media coverage and word-of-mouth to let people know.

Raised on a Texas ranch, he's worked cattle, herded wild horses and managed a ranch on an Indian reservation in Nevada before moving to Oregon last year and selling horses. He's also an auctioneer and has done horse shoeing for nearly 30 years.

Among those meeting Inman on the outskirts of town was Kurly Hebb, former rodeo cowboy and Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame member.

"He's got my respect. I can tell from talking to him he's going to make it. Just be a cowboy, that's all you got to do," said Hebb, now an area rancher.

Joyce Cross met Inman when he came to her restaurant in Fall River, about 10 miles to the west, looking for a place to sleep for the night. She found a place for them and allowed her 4-year-old son, Kadyn Covey, to ride with Inman the next day.

"The diversity he has unveiled is a lot of forgotten heritage in this country. It's a great eye opener for anybody who runs into him," she said.

Mention diversity and Inman talks about the retired rancher in Idaho who he considers "a true image of America with his honesty and hospitality," or people he's met working multiple jobs to make ends meet, or another Idaho rancher e-mailing the progress of the journey to his son in Iraq.

"There is nothing like riding across the nation to learn about the people of this country," he said.

Inman has Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and most of Kansas behind him. Ahead are Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina, where he hopes to spend Christmas his wife's family in Hendersonville.

They often rely on strangers since they don't have national sponsors to underwrite them. Sometimes it's a meal, a place to sleep, some cash or donated feed for Blackie, who daily eats about 20 pounds of high-fat feed.

"Do I wish a national firm would grab hold and help out? You bet," he said. "I don't want it too easy, I just want it a little easier."

Inman ticked off a list of what's been bad about the trip — temperatures ranging from 108 degrees to freezing, pesky insects, water shortages, crossing mountains and desert and riding in a lightning storm. People aren't on the list.

"I haven't run into any bad people," he said.

Inman bought Blackie in 2001. The two have clearly bonded.

"I know his capabilities and I know his flaws and I think he can say the same thing for me," he said. "Now if you think we're constantly kissing buddies, I don't think so. Do I brag about him a lot? Yeah."

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My wife just spent the last 30 minutes on cell phone talking to this guy.  Very interesting.  He needs a hand.  If anyone out there is close to his trail, feel free to let us know.  We'll try to keep you updated.  Right now he's near Marionville, MO outside of Springfield, heading east.

Here's a map.

DaveM
Horse Trailer World

Our country is full of wonderful, hard working, generous people. Decent folk who pay their taxes, follow the rules and obey the laws. We strive everyday to raise our kids and take care of not only our familes but neighbors. More importantly, we take care of those who don't even know by giving to charities and worthy causes.

Its the people of this country that make it great- not the government, not politicans, not the regualtions and not the laws. Its not doom and gloom out there.I am glad this guy is doing what is doing to make that known. let him know if he traels to northeast michigan, we have a empty stall for the horse, a place for him to rest and the coffee is always on.

Very cool.  My neighbor rode from Green Bay, WI to Billings, MT and back in 1969.  Quite the story.

Thanks for posting! Great story! I admire this couple!

Great thread. I wish he was coming closer to me.

Dave,

 Keep us posted on where he is if you can and how he is doing. I would love to follow along with this thread.

Great idea. What about private individuals? There are probably many people who would like to help out. Please advise.

Gard

Thanks Don and all of you on Horse Trailer World.  I agree.  This is uplifting to say the least.  We also have this posted on Barrel Horse World and the next two nights they have places to stay already. 

One of the volunteers came from this site.  We have people calling in to get them through Kentucky I think.  I'll keep you all posted.  The local Purina Rep. Ernie Rodina, is donating feed.  Ernie has two sons in the Marine Corp.  This is really great to see.

Gail, (my wife), is in touch with Bill and his wife by cell phone.  I would suggest calling Gail on her phone.  913-221-3454.

Here's their website.  http://www.uncoveringamerica.com/the_journey  I'm still trying to figure out their exact route. 

Dallas, if you need to put your documentory online and need bandwidth, we do that too. 

www.equinemediaworld.com

I think my wife ( Gail from www.barrelhorseworld.com ) is in contact with Brenda and helping to line you guys up with places to stay the rest of your trip.

Good luck!  I will love to see your story line when you get back.

He came thru my home town - Fredonia -

Our local newspaper wrote that article.