Ezra's Expedition Forum

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Today, April 9, 2006, while working in my front yard I happened to look up and see a young man on horseback with a pack horse in tow going down main street in Susanville, CA. I wondered to myself, "what could this person be doing riding a horse down Main Street". I stopped my work and casually waved to him and when he acknowledged my wave I went back to cutting back the snapdragon flowers that had begun to grow from the long winter. Within a few minutes he rode over to me and introduced himself and told me what he had planned. It was an exciting event to see this young man and his two magnificent horses standing in front of my home. We shook hands and I wished him luck on his journey. He slowly rode away while I was thinking to myself, "here is a young man that knows what he wants and is not afraid to act on what he dreams of".



Well, I wish Ezra the best of luck and hope that he enjoys what makes him happy.



Best of luck to you Ezra, Bill,.,.,.,.,..

Hi, everybody,

My name is Leslie and I just wanted to let you know we've had "Ezra sightings" here in eastern Nevada. I live in Baker, Nevada, where Great Basin National Park is. I met Ez on Saturday in Ely, Nevada, 66 miles from where I live, which is the closest grocery shopping (we're a little remote out here). He had Jahob and Red tied up to a light pole in the parking lot of the local grocery store, "parked" right next to a blue PT Cruiser. I started to pass on by, but was struck by the image - I think of Nevada as a mix of old and new, so I stopped and said hi and asked if I could take their pictures. Of course Ez said yes. I'll attach the photo so you can see it - I call it "Old West meets New West".

Tonight (May 16th) he made it to the Nevada-Utah Border and was staying at the Border Inn. It's right on Hwy's 6 & 50. Deny's (pronounced Denise) Koyle owns the place - it's a combination bar, restaurant, casino, motel, and gas station and has the only ATM between Ely and Delta ( 89 miles from the border to Delta and another 65 miles or so from the Border to Ely). And she has a couple small corrals, too. Brought down grease for the horses hooves, they're getting a little dry because the desert is so dry. Just sucks the moisture out of everything. Introduced Ez to my friend Roberta, who brought down hay for the horses and horse cookies.

We've been calling around trying to find someone who might know where watering holes are between the border and Delta. There aren't too many of them once you get past the Border Inn and Kings Canyon area, but we found one guy that we're hoping may be able to give Ez some info. Anyway, Ez and horses are doing fine.

So, just thought I'd keep you posted. Roberta and I will be anxiously awaiting the updated website.We had a great time talking with Ez. Sounds like an incredible journey.

Take care,
Leslie

Ezra Cooley and his best friends, Red and Jahob, rode into Grand Junction , CO on June 10, 2006 and greatly touched our lives. A neighbor of ours, after talking to Ezra as he rode down F Road , came to us to ask if we would pasture the horses for the night. We were blessed to have Ezra and the horses spend two nights with us. Ezra went to church with us, was guest of honor at a picnic Sunday afternoon, entertained our two grandchildren with his wit and horse tricks, and made a wonderful impression on all who met him. My husband, Ben, even saddled up his horse and rode about 35 miles with Ezra on Monday, June 12, as the expedition continued towards Collbran , CO . Ezra is such a calm, patient, intelligent, focused man, totally dedicated to his dream of riding around the world. In his humbleness, Ez puts the needs of his horses before his own needs. He truly has a way with, and heart for, children making it easy to see why he chose to raise funds for the National Children's Cancer Society. We can't say enough about this exceptional man. In just two days he became, and always will be, a part of our family. Our prayers will continue with him for the duration of his journey and after. We hope to be able to get to see him again when his passion has been fulfilled.

If you have the opportunity to visit with Ezra as he rides along, share all you can with him, but know you will be the one receiving. We would recommend highly donations to the National Children's Cancer Society. Let's pray that an international sponsor will step up and do right in sponsoring this amazing endeavor.



Ben and Marty Lenard

Grand Junction, CO



Today (June 12th) my son and I were on our way to swimming lessons (Palisade Colorado) and saw Ezra riding down the rode. He stopped so my son and I could say hi, meet the horses and wish him luck. Thanks so much for stopping, my son was so happy to meet the man that's going around the world on his horse. We wish you the best of luck!! We also plan on keeping up on your progress through the web site so thanks for that as well. Please thank Red also for the hair it's already hung up on his wall.



Wishing you the best of luck,

Kimberly and Dominic

We decided to go out to lunch to one of our favorite restaurants, here in Carbondale, CO, El Pollo Rico. While sitting out in the shade, who comes riding up but young Ezra himself along with his 2 best friends, Red and Jahob. Being naturally inquisitive, we asked him what was up and he proceeded to tell us all about his mission and his journey.

Wow, what an incredible individual! Same for the horses. Obvious to us that this was something very special indeed. Michelle believes she was touched by an angel and I would be hard pressed to disagree.

While Ezra was getting interviewed by the local press, we decided to hang out with Red and Jahob who clearly transcend all the normal boundaries between man and animal. They are incredible and have a great bond of love and friendship with Ezra.

We would just like to say that if you get the chance, do go introduce yourself and say hello.

You will be touched.

Good Luck Ezra, Red and Jahob,

Michelle and Steve

Just before dark on the 18th of June, while camping in the Horse Ranch Park area by Kebbler Pass, a young man rode into our camp and introduced himself to us as Ezra Cooley. Tired and hungry from riding all day and being unable to cross over one of the 12,000 foot passes, in the mountain range behind us, due to deep snow drifts, we invited Ezra to camp by us and fixed him dinner. We were able to visit with him that night going over maps and helping him locate an alternate route for him to get to Crested Butte and then eventually to Aspen, Colorado. The next morning while letting his horses graze for a while longer, we cooked a late breakfast and visited with him and learned about his dream of riding around the world. We wish him well knowing this will be a very tough ride and also can be a dangerous trip. We plan on keeping up-to-date with Ezra and look forward to watching his progress. We encourage anyone to help out in any way they can to help Ezra keep going to accomplish his dream.

Best Wishes,

The Wilson's

Lazy H Ranch

Paonia, Colorado

Hello, My name is Ken Price. I met Ezra in Crested Butte Colorado, I work for Fantasy Ranch. I was wondering how he is doing? I saw him last a week ago and he was still waiting for Red to heal up. It was wonderful meeting Ezra, he is an amazing soul. His determination is really something else. Very few people could be that committed to something, especially something as daunting as this. Some people have said that Ezra is taking advantage of people's kindness and hospitality. I think that they are wrong. First of all, Ezra has no intentions of manipulating people or taking advantage of them. I think it is wonderful that he can go out and do something like this.

It shows that there are still a lot of good, kind people in the world. I dread the day when a person will no longer be able to rely on the kindness of strangers, for that is the day human kind ceases to be human. And not only that, but Ezra is ridding to raise awareness and funds for a great cause. I wish him all the luck in the world and I look forward to following his web site.

Sincerely,

Ken Price

Hi!

We saw Ezra the morning of Friday, June 30 coming over Kebler Pass near Crested Butte, Colorado! We were staying in Cedaredge for the first days of vacation and were making a day trip over to Crested Butte. We had stopped our Jeep to take some photos of the landscape, and when I looked up here comes a calm and friendly young man walking two packed horses. My husband and I were so inspired to see a such a devoted, young man. What a treat.

It occurred to us when we arrived in Crested Butte that we had met this precious young man, and we didn't think to offer him any of the nuts or bread we had in the car for camping--not even a drink of water. Ezra, I am just so disappointed in myself. We looked forward to seeing you when we came back over the pass a couple of hours later, but you were no where in sight. Gone. Quietly absorbed by the mountainside. Our anticipation turned into a gloomy arrival at Cedaredge. Our thoughtlessness loomed around us. I suppose we had just been in awe of the experience and had settled into the complacency that comes with the first day of vacation and weren't thinking straight when we met you. This experience helped to teach us to always expect the unexpected and remember to be ready to share the love that too often is kept safely tucked away.

Ezra you shared with my husband and me that you and your horses had taken a tumble when a dirt bridge had collapsed and you showed us the knot on your shoulder. We will pray for your healing may be complete and quick.

You were a highlight of our trip. We feel blessed to have encountered you. May God bless you. We will be sure to make a donation to your cause for kids with cancer.

Bless your heart from the two city folk,

Skip and Bonnie

Hey Ezra,

I met you this morning (7-16-06) on my mountain bike while you were turning onto oak street from 5th. I pulled over and we made contact for a brief instant. Well, I've checked out your expedition and what a ball! You are a very lucky man to have the opportunity.

As a 20 year old, I hiked the Appalachian Trail for 6 months, so I can understand your adventure, to some level. What you are doing is remarkable and I wish you all the luck. I only wish I would have been able to provide you some trail magic along your way, but so is life.

Enjoy every moment of your adventure as I am sure you will and be open for everything.

Cheers to you and I'll keep watch.

Be safe.

Kent Vertrees

I met Ezra today. I interrupted his lunch which hit the ground during a little breeze that came through. We chatted a while, found out what he was doing and why. He needed a spot to camp for the evening, so I contacted a friend of mine, Mike Tuttle who did not hesitate to put him and the 3 horses up for the night at his restaurant and bar.

After working my second job, I decided I needed to chat with Ezra some more, so I put together a little care package and went off to T-Joes, where he would be for the evening. We had a couple drinks, and some dinner and some great conversation.

Ezra has touched my life and I hope I was able to help him out a little. I am glad I was able to meet him, Red, Jahob and his new roan pony. I hope I will be able to meet up with him again.



DEBBIE CARTER

Cheyenne Wyoming

Lois and I meet Ezra when he stopped with our son Chris Baty. They where acquainted thru the Professional Bronc Riding Association and Chris conceders him a friend. He said that he would stop as he came through Cheyenne, WY. as he road across from Laramie, WY.

Well on 8/14/06 he road in about dark and we got horses in corral and fed, as they were all tired and we all got some shuteye. The next morning we had a chance to talk and after talking. I' m pleased to say that I feel privileged to know him. He has his head on straight and has the manner that you don't always see in young men these days. Red, Jahob, and the new red roan seem to be his best friends and they are all taking care of each other. I hope that I can keep tabs on him the whole trip. He headed for Cheyenne on the morning of Aug. 16th 2006 and only has about 80 or 90 mile left in Wyoming. May the good Lord keep a eye on him as he works his way down the road. Ezra we will be thinking of you !! You are welcome anytime.

Frank and Lois Baty

P.S. Ezra is a long way from Chico, California



Hello. My name is Brenna DeGeer and I reside just outside of Cheyenne, WY.

The other day I was driving through town and I noticed a guy by the lumber yard with two horses packed down, talking to another fella. I thought, "Hmm, if I didn't have so much to do I'd stop cause that aint usual."

A short while later, after I'd gotten my runnin' done, I noticed this same guy ridin' by the news station. I pulled over and we introduced ourselves.

Ezra told me about his mission and little about what had happened to him so far. I was totally amazed that there was someone out there that might be as crazy as me, and a little jealous that he had the spine to go first!! But more than anything it made me proud to have met a man that had a hard but obtainable goal, a means by which to accomplish it, and that he isn't just doing it cuz he can. Cancer is something that strikes a deep nerve in me and a lot of the people around me. My grandma died of cancer, my other grandma is a survivor, both of my grandpa's are survivors and my best friend's whole family is peppered with it. In fact, I introduced Ez to my bstf's mom, who survived throat cancer and talks through a battery.

Because of Ez's carriage and mission, I decided I wanted to do anything I could to help him as far as I could. And, I wanted to rope with the man who's riding around the world! So I told him how to get to my house and we agreed that we needed to rope the next day.

Ez came to my house and we had a blast! He loaded up Red and we went to friend of mine's. Ez got grilled, cause my friend's a brand inspector, and then we proceeded to rope! This was Ez and Red's first time arena roping and they were a bit behind. Red couldn't decide if he liked the box and it took a couple runs before he got to watching a cow. But by the end of the night they'd both improved. Most importantly, we had fun. And none of us remembered a camera!

Ez took me, my buddy Leather, and her mom Colleen out to dinner afterwards and would not let us pay!!!

The next day I had to leave semi early to go get a stray bull, and Ez was waitin' on someone before he could leave. I traded scarves with him. I gave him my lucky one. He helped me out quite a bit while he was here. Showed me a trick on roundin' the edges of a hoof, introduced me to the idea of wooden horse shoes, helped me doctor a couple horses, helped me feed my grandparents sheep (he's quite the sheep herder LOL), and really brightened my life for a few hours. I wanted to donate the feed to his horses but he wouldn't let me. creep...just kiddin' ;P

I'm not a religious person, but I thank God for people like Ez. I wish you a safe road and you better come back to see me!!! Wish I coulda rode with ya too!!!

Xoxo..............................................Grin


Ezra stopped by in Chappell, Nebraska today at around 12:00pm. He was invited to have a bite to eat at the local Senior Center. He had lasagna, bread and salad for lunch. While he was eating, some of the staff gave water to his horses using one gallon ice cream buckets.

We all enjoyed having him visit. We will pray that his journey is safe and enjoyable as well as successful.

Scott W.


We saw you last week just as you were coming into Kimball, Nebraska. I wish I would have known what you were up to, we have a horse ranch and could have put you up for the night and fed your horses for you. I just read in our local weekly paper that your new wild horse coliced? I hope he is better now. I'm sure Mimi took good care of you and your horses. Be safe out there - our prayers are with you.

Aleta

DUSTY CREEK RANCH
Kimball, NE

Hi

This is coming to you from 6 1/2 miles east of Pine Bluffs, WY. Ezra stayed at our home on Aug. 19th and what a pleasure he was, with all the bad things younger people choose to do today it was a blessing to meet one that is trying to do something special.

Ezra was very thoughtful and gracious and if he would of said thank you anymore I don't know what I would of done with him. Sunday morning my son

(John) rode the 6 to 7 miles into Pine Bluffs and really enjoyed the ride John rides bulls in the Nebraska High School Rodeo so he has told all of his friends to be on the look out for EZ.

God Bless

Randy, Linda, John and Kathey T.

Hey Ez,

It was great to see you again in Sydney, NE. How is Stryker doing? I was sorry to hear about him getting ill in Kimball.

I hope he is feeling much better and will not have any more problems.

I enjoyed watching you eat all the food (you did not know I was watching) while you were helping out at Cabela's by judging their dutch oven cooking contest. I hope things went well with the meetings with the big guys at Cabela's. They would be great corporate sponsors and I hope all of that will work out for you and your cause.

Give Red, Jahob and Stryker big hugs for me. God willing, I will see you again, maybe in Lincoln, NE., if everything works out when I go see my daughter and her family.

Happy Trails

DEBBIE C.
Cheyenne, WY

Greetings from Lexington Nebraska.

My name is Jesse Naputi. I am a Police Investigator in the quaint little City of Lexington Nebraska. We are located almost in the exact center of the United States. I was working on this date, the 5th of September, 2006 when I observed a young man sitting atop a large Sorrel horse. He was leading a Red Roan pack horse and another Gray horse. At the time that I observed this young man, he was being interviewed by a reporter from the local television news station (NBC News I believe). My family and I own about a dozen Quarter Horses, so when the interview was completed I introduced myself and asked this fine young man what he was doing with his three horses. This soft-spoken young man introduced himself, and proceeded to tell me he was circumnavigating the world on horseback. WOW!!

Now, I've been on a few horseback trail rides with my family before, but never anything longer than 8 or 10 hours in the saddle. I know what my backside, and legs felt like after our enjoyable trail rides, I can only imagine what this brave young man is going through. After I got over my initial shock, I wished this young man the very best of luck. I left Mr. Cooley as he was heading to a local barber shop to get a hair cut.

Ezra Cooley, our prayers and best wishes go with you as you continue on your journey. May God bless you, and keep you and your horses safe as you travel our great country, and the world. My family and I are with you in spirit, and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers every time we mount up.

Jesse N. & Family
Lexington, Nebraska

We looked out our kitchen window today (September and saw a man on horseback. He was riding right down the street in Kearney, NE. This is not a usual sight for us. We thought about getting the camera, and now we wish we would have. A bit later, I saw him leaving Kearney on Highway 30, right out by Cabelas on the east end of town. That night, our local news station (Nebraska TV) carried a story about a man traversing the entire world on horseback. That news story led us to your web site, where we learned more about your journey.

We wish this brave young man all of the luck, and if we come across his path again, we will stop and introduce ourselves.

God Speed, Ezra!

Matt & Kim M.
Kearney, NE

On September 3rd I read with interest the article about Ezra Cooley and his ride around the world on horseback. Since I am a horse fan with five horses of my own I wanted to know more about Ezra and his dream. This is something I had always dreamed of doing, maybe not riding around the world but doing something different on horseback.

On September 6th a friend and I were on our way to Kearney, NE. We were about 10 miles west of Kearney when we saw a man riding a horse, leading a pack horse and a white Arabian older horse. I knew right away that it had to be Ezra!!! We pulled over and got out to talk with him. Ezra was a very polite, interesting, young man to visit with. He told us of his ideas and how he came about trying out something as extensive as a horse trip around the world.

We wished we could have talked more with him but after a police cruiser pulled up behind us on Highway #30 we decided it was time to be on our way. The friendly policeman just wanted to know if we were having trouble. We assured him we were not and he went on his way.

Best of luck to Ezra. Hopefully I will be able to follow his progress around the world in the days ahead...



Nancy L.
Eustis, NE
My name is Michele Blagdon(Brady, Nebraska) and my family and I had the pleasure to have Ezra stay at our house. Ezra's family must be so proud of this young man. What an awesome young man!! My family just adored Ezra, just for who he is and what he is doing with his life. I know a lot of young men with dreams, but none like what Ezra's dream is. Ezra has a good head on his shoulders and I believe he will meet his goal/dream. Good Luck Ezra and God Bless!!!!!

Hi,

I have just been talking to Ezra and Red while they're getting ready to go to a little school in Hampton and share their journey with the children there.

What a delightful surprise to come to work and find such a nice young man with a mission in life so special and yet he seems at ease with the constant change in the world around him.

I feel as if God has shared a little gift of joy in Ezra and his horses for whatever purpose, HE only knows.

Thank you, Ezra and friends, you have no idea how really special you all are!



In Christian Love,
Cheryl M.
A middle aged bookkeeper

Hi Ezra - I met you today in the little town of Hampton, Nebraska. I was the lady in the black pick-up. I want to wish you the best on your travels - what an undertaking! I hope the weather treats you well and that you accomplish your goals.

May God go with you and keep you and your horses safe as you travel - I will be praying for you.

Jean Anne S. - Hampton, NE

The horse is nobility without conceit, friendship without envy, beauty without vanity, a willing servant yet no slave.


Hey Ez, Jahob, Red and Striker:

You stopped by our little town of Chappell and made a big impression on our hearts. To know that there is someone as kind and concerned for your animals is very refreshing and as brave to trek across the WORLD. I was so glad to see you reunited with Jahob and hope that all is going well with you and your buddies. Rose says hi too. God be with you.



On September 19th Ezra came and stayed with us in Avoca,Ne. We were glad to have had the time to meet and talk to him and his horses. He is a very brave sole to do what he's doing. We wish him and his horses the best of luck and health on his journey.
Ted, Deb & Tyler P.

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We (my husband Troy and I) met Ezra on our cross country bike trip in Walden, CO. I told him we'd write to him to give him our info for when he hits NYC. We might be able to give him a place to stay if he needs it (although no room for horses-I guess that's what the police will be good for). Anyway he can contact me if he still plans to make it into New York City. Best of luck to him and hope the horses heal up!

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Hi Ezra,
I met you at our friends' house, Russell and Deanna in Iowa. I think it was probably a "divine appointment". I look forward to having you come to New York and you definitely have to stay with us when you arrive. We have plenty of room for the horses to rest and my wife has promised to cook you a great steak. Keep in touch.
John W.

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Septem ber 18'th 2006

On our way to Lincoln Nebraska from Yutan Nebraska, we saw a man with 2 horses in the parking lot of a farm store. We stopped to ask the man what was going on. It's not every day you see horses in a parking lot. The man told us his name, Ezras Cooley, and that he was riding around the world. How wonderful we thought. We asked him to visit us in Yutan, but he said he was on his way to Nebraska City to rest for the night. Good luck and God bless you, the horses, and your journey.
Mary and Patty
Yutan Nebraska

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Just talked to Ezra, he is still in Centerville Iowa, he asked me if I had sent you our address and I had not although I did send an email saying that he had spent 2 nights with us and how we enjoyed him. He said he would be sending some post cards to those that took care of him while he was traveling so here is our address as we surely do want to keep up with him and know where he is and how he is.
Russelle and Deanna D.

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Hello,
I came across Ezra in western Iowa (I was on my own little journey) and stopped to chat a while.
Thanks for keeping up the site and allowing us to vicariously live that part of our life thru him. I'm in northern Indiana (near Elkhart) and wondered when he will be thru here and what his route might be. I didn't think to ask him that at the time, although no one may know the answer right now anyway.
Thanks!
Larry A.

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Hello,
Last night (10/11/06) Ezra came through our small town of Pulaski, Iowa in the southeast part of the state. He ended up staying on our farm before he headed east this morning around 9:00 AM. He was planning on staying around the Keosauqua area tonight and hopefully will be crossing the Mississippi River at Fort Madison by Saturday or so. Just thought I would pass this along to everyone.
Thank You,
Michael & Andrea B.
Pulaski, Iowa

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We had the privilege to meet Ezra about one month ago in Sidney NE. He is such a delightful young man with very high hopes and dreams. Its so nice to meet someone living out there dreams in a fashion that young boys and girls can idolize as their hero.
Not only did we just get to meet him, we had him over for dinner and got to visit with him well into the night, but he was also generous enough to allow my boys to enjoy riding his horse Red the following day. My boys are still talking and wondering about our new friend Ezra and were he is now. May God watch over him and keep him safe.
God Bless,
Richard & Andrea F.

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I talked with Ezra about 2 miles west of Milton, Iowa, about 12:15 PM on 10/13/06. What a young man to undertake this adventure. God be with him on his trip. I hope people will support him on his expedition.
GKR

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Hello,
I just wanted to write a few lines to say we were blessed with Ezra's company this last weekend in Farmington, Iowa.
We had a Breast Cancer Awareness Ride/ Walk/ Run this weekend to help local women pay for mammogram's. Ezra showed up Saturday and gave a donation, participated in our poker ride, talked with our friend Julie that has breast cancer and cancer in her bones and took lots of pictures of all of us. My kids, Kelsey & Trenton enjoyed all of his stories along with all of the other kids. He sat and told story after story that really impressed the kids. My husband, Josh, and the kids compared the stories Ezra had told them all day Sunday and again today, Josh, too, was really impressed with what Ezra was doing and enjoyed his stories. That is why I decided to check the website out for myself. It really amazed me and brought tears to my eyes. I really feel that we are really blessed to have got to meet Ezra and hope that we with get to enjoy his company again real soon. We will be checking his web site often to keep tabs on him. Our friend Ann Marie really enjoyed her time with him and his stories as well. We hope that we will get to see him every year at our Breast Cancer Awareness Event as soon as his task is completed.
We, the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee, will be having a meeting next week, and I would really like to see if we can give a donation to Ezra.
I really hope and pray for Ezra to have a safe trip and that all goes well for him, Striker, and Red. It would be very scary in all the different places that he is going and that he has been. To be honest with you, we all were a little hesitant at first. Friday night some of our friends that ride with us, the mom, dad, and three girls got shot to death by their son. And it goes to show this world can be very scary at times and unpredictable. I am glad myself, family, and friends trusted our gut about Ezra, because he is more than an exceptional man, he is an angel God has sent to leave a lasting impression in our hearts.
I hope he gets the big sponsorship he needs to make his dream come true.
Ezra, I want to thank you ever sooooo much for the lasting memory and let you know you are and will be in our thoughts and hearts the whole way. It was a lot of fun having you around and we enjoyed every ounce of it. We really hope to see you again, hope you stay in contact, and if you ever need anything, give us a call.

Josh, Lisa, Kelsey, & Trenton G.
Montrose, IA

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Your friend,
Lisa G.
Hey,
Its Kelsey Gosnell, I am 13 years old, I live in Montrose Iowa. I was at this breast cancer awareness ride and me and my best friend seen him so we went up to him to see why he was carring stuff on another horse, striker, and what it was for, so he told us about some of his trips, it was cool how him and red are like 2 peas in a pod. Well we were on the ride and this guys girth broke so Ezra fixed it. We talked to him for awhile, he thought it would be cool if he rode the whole ride and we would ride with him in to Ft madison but my mom said no but he stayed anyway. So when we got to the end of the ride this huge ladies horse stopped going over a hill, not a very big hill though, but she fell off and went tumbling down the hill we all thought it was funny, after we realized she was ok. So when we got back to camp his friend Levi asked him to go out partying with him but Ezra said no I promised to tell these guys some stories so he told us a lot. That night we had karaoke he danced and sung, it was cool. That night he slept under a tarp and he put his horses in a stall and people gave them hay. Next morning he left some other guys offered to clean his stalls so they did .

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Ezra I wish u good luck and that u will remember me, I will always remember you!!!!
Your friend,
Kelsey G.
Montrose, IA

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HI.........
This is TRENTON you were at KOKJOHNS you came in on Saturday and came on the BREAST CANCER ride and told story's to us after the ride and I gave you a reminder of me, it was picture of a BUDWEISER big horse but you said that you could 't take it because it would brake. In the morning me and Jared and Austin and Alison helped you pack your stuff up and you said that you would send me a picture of something before Christmas. Oh one more thing, Ezra I really like your horses RED and STRIKER. Can't wait to see you again!

FROM YOUR FRIEND...TRENTON..........................................................
Trenton G.
Montrose, IA

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As I looked out my office window there sat Ezra with his horse's. Good Luck
Ezra. Gary 10/18.06
Gary H.
LaHarpe, Illinois

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Ezra is in Goodhope, IL tonight. It is cold and rainy here, so I believe he is going to stay with my grandfather Roscoe Aten a small distance out of Macomb. Can't wait to hear of his journey so far and where he is headed.
Michelle T.

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October 17, 2006
Hi, Ezra. I met you today on Route 9 between Blandinsville and the Good Hope Junction in Illinois while I was on my school bus route. My name is Jody Schleich. I just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to meet you and I hope the rest of your trip is filled with sunny skies and wonderful experiences! You can be sure I'll keep tracking your progress. You, Jahob and Red will be in our prayers. Good Luck to all three of you!!
God Bless,
Jody S.
Nauvoo, Il

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I am Barb Creath from Milton, Iowa where I sighted Ezra about 3 miles out of
town and called a friend to come and talk to him and take a picture because
I had to be to a doctor's appointment and couldn't turn around. Ezra is an
awesome young man and a very kind and caring person. I just wish I would
have gotten a phone number so I could contact him once in a great while. I
have him in my prayers everyday, and wonder where he is and how he is
getting along. I just wish my grandchildren could have seen and visited with
him. I am not good on a computer, but I hope you can get this message with
pictures and an article that I put in the Van Buren County Register after
talking to Ezra.

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Hi Ezra's brother, October 19,2006

Ezra was with us last night. My niece (32 years old) called me at 11:45 a.m. and said there was a girl riding a horse, leading a pack horse, headed east on Rt. 9, just outside of Blandinsville, Illinois. She was headed to Burlington, Iowa, and didn't have time to stop and check it out, told her I was stopped at highschool in Sciota loading kids and would call when empty, the mini mart in Blandinsville. About 12:45 I called mini mart and asked if a girl had been by on a horse or stopped there, she said a young man had been and had only been gone about 5 minutes, was headed east on Rt. 9. (It was cold and drizzling rain, windy most of the day) so it was really hard to tell by Melissa, my niece, whether it was male or female. Anyway I called her back, told her it was a young man but the mini mart employee hadn't bothered to inquire of him, where he had come from or where he was going. Told her when I got done with that route at 2 I would try and find him, well when returning back to the school, here he come about 1-1/2 city blocks for judge of distance, so hurried put bus up, got in my truck and went out by highway, we visited and asked him where he was going, camping, etc., etc., said we would put him up for the night, grain his horses, shelter, take him out for supper.....well he made it to my sister-in-laws father's farm, Roscoe Aten, we bedded Red and Stryker, grained and hayed them, and visited and visited with Ezra. Oh what a treat he is, we so much enjoyed him, his lovely personality, kind soft voice and his humor and seriousness at the same time, his stories and his dream. Oh how we all admired him, my brother truely enjoyed him. We did, indeed, all go to the Pizza Hut for supper, grandpa Aten, Rich and Janet Strader (my brother and sister-in-law), Melissa, her husband Kendal and two daughters Kendra (6) and Kalissa (3) and me the ole aunt, 64). They call me the mulelady, I have 4 mules and 3 donkeys. Yep, I ride a mule. Ezra's birthday he told us when asked, was November 10, I told him I was close to his but several years in between, mine is November 13.
Also before we had the horses taken care of I had called the two newspaper reporters I knew. Jodi works for the Peoria Journal Star, which is published at Peoria, Illinois and the other, was Johnathan from the Macomb Eagle. The Eagle I have been told will run next Wednesday, the story, and Jodi's should be in the Peoria paper tomorrow.
Grandpa and Ezra drove over to the machine shed (central location for the farming operation of my brother) and they stay in their motor home for the most part all summer until harvest is done as there their home is about 20 miles away, saves on that expensive gas, they check on things about twice a week there, anyway they had breakfast together this morning and Ezra was on his way by about 8:30 or 9. Rich called Dean Chipman, a horsey friend, that lives by Table Grove, IL and we know that he was just on the other side of Table Grove about 5 p.m. and Dean was going to take care of him and the animals tonight. Don't know many fellow horse or mule people on over that way but some of us may take a run to see if we can locate a good place for him within the next 25 miles or so.
You probably think I am humble jumble here in this email but how else could I explain it. Ha.
So, webmaster, Ezra's brother, he is well and all three seem to be doing fine. Oh yes, my sister-in-law did up a tad of his laundry, washed and dried. It is really kinda unseasonably cold and wet for us right now in Illinois so he was a little damp yesterday!
Will holler in November so you can, please, wish Ezra a very Happy Birthday from all of us on the 10th.
What a nice young lad and we were all so pleased and really honored to have him as our guest, Red and Stryker too.
May God continue to bless him and keep them safe.
Happy trails
Rita R.

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Greetings from Manito, IL. We attend the Immaculate Conception Church in Manito. On this Sunday, Oct 22nd, a young man attended our church with a church family. After mass, we were privileged to meet Ezra and hear a bit about his journey. We don't know him well, but we knew we had met someone special. God Bless you as your travels continue. We will be following you on your journey thru you website and our prayers will be with you. Thank you for touching our lives.
Joe and Phyllis S.
Guy and Joan M.

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On October 18, 2006 I saw Ezra riding into a small town of Blandinsville, IL. At that time I did not have time to stop, but I knew he was not a local rider, so I called my Aunt and between her two bus routes, she got caught up with Ezra and he explained about his journey. When I came home, I caught up with him myself. It had been raining and cold most of the day, so I invited him to stay at my Grandfathers place, just south of Good Hope, IL. As soon as he arrived we helped him get the horses settled and we made sure they had plenty of feed and bedding for the night. We had invited two local papers out to interview him during all the setteling down. We were going out for supper for the evening and invited Ezra along. We really enjoyed the evening listening to Ezra. My two daughters and I ride alot ourselves, so the girls were really soaking up what he had to say. Ezra gave both of my girls a lock of mane from Red. I took a picture of Ez and my oldest together and had him autograph it for her. She put the piece of mane in a ziplock bag along with her picture and the newspaper clippings. After we returned back to the house we invited Ez in for a shower and to spend the night in a warm bed. The next morning he came to where my Mom and Dad were staying and ate a good warm breakfast before getting ready to ride out. We went back to the barn with Ez and watched him get saddled up. We made some phone calls that morning and told him we had another place lined out for him and the horses to stay. I talked to them the next morning and they said they enjoyed him and much as we did. I hope Ez, Red, and Striker the best of luck. Please, if you have time could you email me and let me know how they are all doing, as my daughter asks me about him everyday.
Melissa W.
GOOD LUCK EZ AND RIDE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ezra was traveling through Green Valley Illinois this afternoon and my son, his wife, and grandson went out to the road and met him and took his picture they didn't want to bother him for very long as they know he's trying to beat the snow! By the way it is Tuesday October 24th. He was very gracious and never made them feel like they were holding him up. My daughter-in-law's Aunt hurried and cooked him a cheeseburger and grabbed a new sweatshirt and was on her way to catch up with him to deliver. Hope your trip turns out to be everything that you thought it would be Ezra and GOOD LUCK!!! Also there was an article in the following paper over this last weekend on Ezra.
Mary J.
Green Valley, Illinois

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HELLO MY NAME IS JODY GLISAN AND WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING EZRA ON THE 16TH OF OCTOBER IN DALLAS CITY ILLINOIS AND SHARED A HOT MEAL AND A PLACE FOR HIM TO SLEEP FOR THE NIGHT. MY SON-IN-LAW ESCORTED EZRA ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN FT. MADISON IOWA TO NIOTA ILLINOIS AND THERE HE WAS MET BY MY DAUGHTER CORTNEY. SHE TOLD HIM WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PUT HIM UP FOR THE NIGHT AND GIVE HIM A HOT MEAL AND GRAIN FOR HIS COMRADS, RED AND STRYKER. DALLAS CITY IS LOCATED 6 MILES FROM WHERE HE CROSSED THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI.MY GRANDSON'S ETHAN AND ISAAC WAS VERY TAKEN WITH THIS YOUNG MAN, AS WE WERE. I'M GOING TO SEND MORE PICTURES THAT WE TOOK WHILE EZRA WAS WITH US. WE OWN A SMALL MOM AND POPS PLACE IN OUR LITTLE TOWN AND WE MADE SURE EZRA WAS SENT OFF WITH A GOOD BREAKFAST IN HIS BELLY. WITH JUST A SHORT VISIT WITH HIM HE BECAME A VERY BIG PART OF OUR LIVES. WE MISSED HIM WHEN HE LEFT AND CONTINUE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM ON HIS JOURNEY. HE TOUCHED OUR LIVES IN A BIG WAY. WHAT A WONDERFUL AND SPIRITUAL YOUNG MAN. GODS SPEED EZRA, EZRA WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SENT THE PICTURES WE TOOK AND TO GIVE OUR NAMES AND ADDRESSES AGAIN.
LARRY AND JODY GLISAN
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO KNOWING HOW HE AND THE BOYS ARE DOING. GOD'S SPEED EZRA.

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October 24, 2006
Last night about 4 pm, 3 of us Teaters rode out a couple miles to meet Ezra and show him the way to our home. We live south of Tremont, Illinois (2 1/2 hours south of Chicago). He looked great, his horses looked super! He had ridden about 20 miles that day. It was beautiful riding weather yesterday - in the upper 40's, little to no wind, and lots of sun. Our family had lots of fun visiting with Ezra over supper. The horses had plenty of hay, pasture and oats over night and were ready to go this morning. It was really interesting watching him pack up. All that gear actually weighs about what our 13 year old weighs! From the sound of it, Ezra's dad is a pretty cool guy - it sounds like he knows a lot, and has taught Ezra quite a bit about life/packing out. And the saddle he made is really nice. Ezra headed out at about 9 this morning - it'll be in the low 50's, breezy and cloudy. He hoped to go about 30-40 miles. Rain's coming tomorrow!
Debbie

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Hi:
My 5 year old and I were pulling out of our drive Friday to go to nursery school in Congerville, Illinois and spotted Ezra. I was getting the mail and waved and he waved back at us. I thought he was a local fella until I saw him on the local CBS affilliate this evening and heard about his trek!
He looked a little tired on Friday, but it was a crummy, cold, rainy day. It was great that he came on through here!
Best lf Luck.
Jim I.

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Hello 'Ezra, I am 'Candy Lefler you stayed with us at our home just outside Malcolm, Ne. we can't figure out why yours site has not been updated, and hoping you are ok? My mom is the one that was in a wheelchair and my hubby was a cop.
Candy

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As I left work for lunch I came upon a young man riding a beautiful reddish brown horse with a pack animal in tow in rural White County. He was on a small country road heading from SR43 to US24 east. For those of you who need a better reference point, we are located 100 miles southeast of Chicago, IL and 100 miles northwest of Indianapolis, IN. Ezra was seen between Reynolds, IN and Monticello, IN. at 12:30pm on Friday 11/03/06.

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I was only able to spend a short time with the young man and he immediately explained he was riding around the world for charity and to be the first to do it on horseback. I asked if he needed anything and his only request was for information concerning distance and terrain.
I contacted our local newspaper to tell them Ezra was coming into Monticello. They immediately dispatched a reporter for an interview.
It is 30 degrees with a brisk wind and here is a young man with an infectious personality riding a horse around the world for charity.
It makes you think, "What have I done to help someone".
Good Luck Ezra, we all wish you the best.
Jay W.
Warehousing / Logistics Manager




This afternoon (November Ezra passed my house in Roanoke, Indiana. He asked me if I liked pheasant, as he had seen one which a car had hit around the corner and he had finished off. He stated he hated to see a good meal go to waste, and he couldn't carry it as he was riding around the world. I thought he was nuts
I took it, anyway, planning to give it to some friends who like wild game. As he left, Ezra asked me if I had Internet, and I responded positively. He gave me the website URL, and headed down the road.
I came back inside and got on the Web, and found out he's not nuts - he's just crazy!

Good luck.
Terry P.