I had to run to the store this morning and I saw his horse at my neighbor Mike's place. I had to unload some things and by that time he had gotten on the road, but I caught him just before he got to Hwy. 431 and I had a few minutes to talk with him and take a few photographs.
His name is Earnest Nunley and he is riding his horse, Snowey, to San Francisco. Here, in his own words, are his reasons for making the trip:
Hi!!
I 'm One Fat Cowboy (Ernest Nunley) and this is my horse Snowey.
I am traveling across America by horseback.
Please, keep the children for whom I am riding,
Snowey and myself in your prayers.
We have alot of rough miles ahead of us.
After completing 400 miles of our journey,
we have 3100 miles left to go.
Just me and my horse against the elements,
with no comforts of home.
Hopefully, this trip will accomplish several goals:
*Bring awareness that there are still way too many children
suffering from Catastrophic diseases and cancer,
as did four of my family members,
whom did not live to adulthood.
*Not all children that need help are physically
or mentally ill, but have parents that are too self involved.
*That you are the one who can make a difference,
by the donation of your time and/or money,
to the different charities, organizations or churches
that provide services for these children.
*To honor the memory of all the children who have succumbed
to childhood cancer and other illnesses like my family members.
As for me personally, it will give me a chance to meet people
and talk about my favorite subjects. Those subjects being
children and horses. It will, also, reunite me with my brother in
California that I have not seen in 17 years.
I will, also, join the ranks of a very few, in recent times,
that have ridden horseback from coast to coast.
The only way I can accomplish this is
with God's help through you.
Any donations, horse food, use of pasture,
food, board, cash, etc. will be appreciated!
I am not affiliated with any charity or group
so anything you give is strictly to help Snowey and Myself
complete this Quest.
Earnest has a web site, onefatcowboy.com, where you can make a donation to help him on his trip. Consider tossing him a few bucks to help him out on his journey!
[postscript]
I meant to also say that Earnest was getting ready to head south on Hwy 431 toward Guntersville, Albertville, and points south, but he always needs a place to stay and to stable and feed his horses. If you see him on the road and can offer a night at your inn please do so!
26 comments:
Greetings Fred,
I am making the same trip..and will start on June 23 of next year. I am a neophyte in the group "The Long Riders Guild" who are a group of equestrian explorers. I would like for you to visit their website for other equestrian explorers who have made expeditions over 1000 continuous miles. I find it interesting that Snonwey's feet are WITHOUT SHOES. A trip of this magnitude would wear Snowey's feet down to nubs. Ernest indicated in Huntsville at Lowe's that he has ridden 450 miles. A trek to Guntersville from Huntsville would take about 4-5 days riding time. He was at the Lowe's in Huntsville about 3 days ago. Horses can only go 10-14 miles a day.... I wanted to commend you on supporting Ernest and his journey...however, I also want to exercise caution here: I see some serious inconsistencies with his travel... such as his horses's hooves and the amount of gear that he is packing. Since the Lowe's meeting...he has changed his destination twice. The first time he said he was going HOME to GA...and restarting. The second time he said he was travelling to Southern California. And now he is saying he is travelling to San Francisco...which is about 400 miles north of the Southern California area. I have lived in Alabama and California in these areas. My family is from the Sand Mtn, Alabama area and I lived in Guntersville off 431 by the Cove.... I hope that Ernest is doing ok and all of that...however, I don't want people to be taken in by this trip if it turns out he is trailering his horse and himself to the next town...I suspect he might be doing just that. His horse's feet totally give him away.... When I make my journey next year on my Walker...she will have shoes -- Period. Standby for more details. Please visit www.buffalomoonexpedition.com for more info on my expedition...and also wander over to www.thelongridersguild.com as they are the official Equestrian Explorer's society for the Globe.
Have an Awesome Day
- Lady Longrider to be-
Megan
Greetings Fred,
I am making a similar trip..and will start on June 23 of next year. I am a neophyte in the group "The Long Riders Guild" who are a group of equestrian explorers. I would like for you to visit their website for other equestrian explorers who have made expeditions over 1000 continuous miles with their equine companions. I find it interesting that Snonwey's feet are WITHOUT SHOES. A trip of this magnitude would wear Snowey's feet down to nubs. Ernest indicated in Huntsville at Lowe's that he has ridden 450 miles. A trek to Guntersville from Huntsville would take about 4-5 days riding time. He was at the Lowe's in Huntsville about 3 days ago. Horses can only go 10-14 miles a day.... I wanted to commend you on supporting Ernest and his journey...however, I also encourage you to exercise caution here: I see some inconsistencies with his travel... such as his horses's hooves... Since the Lowe's meeting...he has changed his destination twice. The first time he said he was going HOME to GA...and restarting. The second time he said he was travelling to Southern California. And now he is saying he is travelling to San Francisco...which is about 400 miles north of the Southern California area. I have lived in Alabama and California in these areas. My family is from the Sand Mtn, Alabama area and I lived in Guntersville off 431 by the Cove.... I hope that Ernest is doing ok and all of that...however, I don't want people to be taken in by this trip if it turns out he is trailering his horse and himself to the next town...I suspect he might be doing just that. His horse's feet totally give him away.... When I make my journey next year on my Walker...she will have shoes -- Period. Standby for more details. Please visit www.buffalomoonexpedition.com for more info on my expedition...and also wander over to www.thelongridersguild.com as they are the official Equestrian Explorer's society for the Globe.
Have an Awesome Day
- Lady Longrider to be-
Megan
Megan,
If you're still watching this stay in touch with me. I'd like to take some photographs as you prepare for your journey. I'm very into visual records of things such as this!
e-mail me.
This is in reference as to Megan's observation's he takes really good care of his horses feet and he isn't trailering them from place to place as you made reference to. He is very committed to this trip and the cause he is riding for and he is going to Ga. and then on to California. I know this guy very well and have talked to him at length about the trip and he is a very avid horse person as well as a super nice fellow Thanks Linda
Greetings,
Earnest and I have been in contact. Fred--- if you can...please delete my two previous posts of mine, that would be appreciated.
Earnest is continuing on to all destinations he spoke about and will avoid Oklahoma altogether...as I would have a place for him to stay should he has wandered up near Wichita Falls.
Earnest and I spoke on Friday night and cleared some things up. He indicated that he swapped Jo, his pack horse, for a pack mule. I support that decision...as Snowey was having a hard time pulling Jo around and having him keep up with her! Earnest is keeping an eye on their barefeet and seems to be doing great.
Good news! Earnest indicated that he did not have a charity set up yet for where the donations were going. He said he was allowing the people to pick the charity after the ride is over if there is money left over. He said, from the way, I understand it that this money is going directly for his ride -- I hope I have that right -- I suggested that he set up a 501 C (3) as soon as possible...so the donations that he is taking can get properly allocated into a charity instead of going to him initially... I hope I have that correct as well...
I apologized for hurting his feelings and wish him well on his ride.
Let's help Earnest get that set up and stay in touch with him... so it doesn't look like the funds are going directly into his back pocket!
Have an awesome day!
Ride on,
Cowgirl Megs
I would like to make a good comment, I am speaking for Earnest, to just clear up some things that have been posted on your web site, I will not call anyone's name, 1. Earnest, is doing this journey for a very good cause, and I support him 100%. The donations that people make go into a paypal account. Earnest has not used any of this money. The people that have stopped to talk to him have been very generous and I feel that Earnest will not have to touch any of the money that is going into the account. My husband and I have gotten to know Earnest, he has stayed at our home. We wish Earnest well on his journey and I hope the people continue to support him. When he completes his journey, he will post a website for the public to vote on the charity of their choice.
Just to be clear, I wish Earnest nothing but the best on his journey and I will be tossing some donations his way!
Fred this is a friend of Earnest just to let you know some up dates Earnest is in the hospital Ga possible heart attack my husband spoke to Earnest today friday nov. 21 around noon. please keep Earnest in your prayers
FRED, EARNEST IS IN EMORY CRAWFORD LONG HOSPITAL ATLANTA GA. DUE TO HAVE OPEN HEART SURGERY MONDAY NOV. 24, POSSIBLE 4 BYPASSES WE HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO EARNEST SINCE SATURDAY. MY HUSBAND SPOKE TO HIS SON SUNDAY NOV. 23 EVERYONE PLEASE KEEP EARNEST IN YOUR PRAYERS.
Earnest is alive and well. Back on the trip exactly 6 months after his terrible heart attack. We did get to see him his first day back. He is committed to do this for the awareness of children out of the goodness of his kind heart. Who would attept to even give up the comforts of home in the rain, heat, cold, hard ground, and never knowing where he can sleep and barely sleeping, and at that... taking care of his horses. This man actually loves God, children, and horses. My husband and I have gotten to know him and you can see his personality through his heart. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Teresa Williams
I met Ernest today and he seems passionate about his cause. He didn't ask me for a dime, however; he did ask me to consider donating time or money to any local charity or church that helps children. I wish him the best on his journey. BTW His picture on the steps of the Capital in Montgomery is awesome!
Is the picture of him in front of the capital in Montgomery on the internet anywhere? Thanks, Teresa
Ernest is fine. He was in Walker Louisiana last night and heading into Baton Rouge today. Thanks to all well wishers. I hope others post his sightings.
My wife saw Ernest in Liberty Texas just outside of Houston TX. He was in the walmart looking for a clinic to refill his medicine. My wife pointed towards Houston as there are not many clinics in Liberty-Dayton area. She was late for picking up ours kids so she didnt get to talk much but he is still at the trip!
I didn't have time to stop, but I saw him between Luling, TX and Seguin, TX, about an hours drive east of San Antonio. I might take my son out to find him later. Wish him well. He had a wagon behind one of the horses.
OFC IS IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX TODAY
06/19/2010. I MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH HIM BEFORE HE RODE INTO TOWN. I HOPE TO LOCATE HIM BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE ALLOWING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP IN IN SOME SMALL WAY WITH CASH.
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!
R RICE, NB, TX 78130
Rodney, Thanks for the update! I always like to get news of Ernest's progress.
Nunley is heading west on Texas 105(Conroe) to Texas 290, where he will head to Lubbock and then New Mexico. For more information or to make a donation to support his mission, visit www.onefatcowboy.com.
I saw Earnest 7/28/2010 in Navasota Texas about 4:00 p.m.
I was with my Dad could not stop to talk
I am a cancer survior of 15 years ; but have lost several family and friends to this
I know the childrens situations he is talking about I worked in public schools over 30 years
im happy to say one fat cowboy is in austin TX and doing well he's working on his cart making modification to it for pasage through ruff terrain think all of you for your support and kind words it means a lot to me to see the number of pepole tuched by what my dad is doing
Ernest Nunley is back on the road and made it through Spicewood Texas today on Hwy 71 west headed toward Llano. His one horse wagon has been set up now for two horses to pull it. Pulling his wagon are Shorty and Big John, and of course he still has Snowey. Today is Saturday Sept 18th, 2010.
Earnest my name is Cassie Myers, I was the one driving the black dodge truck on hwy 71 outside of llano texas, i had stoped and went to go get you're water. My husband and friends and family did not belive me till they saw you're picture in the Llano paper i even put you're pictures on facebook. I wish the best of luck and a very safe jorney. May god be with you and the horses
Earnest, with three horses and a rubber tired wagon, spent Sept. 30 thru Oct 3 at Brady Lake Park, in central Texas. This coincided with the "Texas Muzzleloading Rifle Club" Fall Shoot. The club members were welcoming and he received hospitality and company during some beautiful weather. Good luck as Winter appraoches. ALR
Journey across America on horseback ends in tragedy
Posted: Mar 25, 2011 4:34 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 25, 2011 8:08 PM EDT
Click image to enlarge Click Image to enlarge
By Christie Post - email
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – A journey across America on horseback turns one man's dream into his worst nightmare.
Ernest Nunley, 52, a native Tennessean set out in 2008 on a journey from Savannah, GA to San Francisco, CA to visit his brother who he had not seen in 17 years.
"He was not out there for a hand out. He was out there to try and make the world better one little piece at a time. However his crazy way was," said Wittel Nunley, Ernest Nunley's son.
He dedicated his ride across America to children suffering from catastrophic diseases. Four of his family members died from such diseases before reaching adulthood.
Nunley traveled through open land and city streets, during sunny days and in harsh weather. This past winter, a stranger in Clovis, NM gave Nunley a place to stay when the weather became just too unbearable. Nunley raised money to continue his journey by selling firewood in Clovis.
"His horses are his life and they always have been. Ever since I can remember, he's been a cowboy," said Nunley.
A week ago when the sun finally came out, he packed up his wagon, gathered his horses and set out on the mission he had begun long before.
"Like he always said, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans," said Nunley.
On his way out of town tragedy struck. One of Nunley's horses spooked as the wagon was leaving Clovis, and Nunley fell.
"He hit his face and head on the wagon railing that connects the horses to the wagon," said Wittel Nunley, Ernest Nunley's son. "And that caused the spinal cord injury to his neck. And then the wagon was pulled over his leg and then broke his leg.
Since the accident, Nunley has been paralyzed from the chest down. He is currently in the ICU at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
"He is going to do his part to fight through this and we've got do our part to be there to take care of him. But there are other things that he can't take care of right now, he's fighting his own fight and it's a hard fight," said Nunley.
Nunley always knew there was a possibility for something like this to happen, but he wants to be remembered for doing something great.
"Sometimes we forget what's in our own backyard and sometimes we forget that our neighbors are suffering," said Nunley.
If you would like to send letters or donations to the family, you can mail them to Rte. 6, Box 790, Stillwell, OK, 74960. Or call 918-507-0510 anytime.
If you want to read more about Nunley's journey, you can visit his website at http://onefatcowboy.com
Copyright 2011 KCBD. All rights reserved.
This is to Megan Carter Long rider to be.You should Know what you are talking about before you put some one down.Earnest Love people and animals .He would not harm !Earnest is in a nurse care facility in Texas recovering from accident our prayers go out to him. Pete Overton
NUNLEY, JAMES, ERNEST, age 52, of Tracy City, Tennessee, AKA "One Fat Cowboy," passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2011, in Lubbock, Texas. He had worked in construction for most of his life and had begun a cross-country trip by horse and wagon when he was injured in a mishap with his horses. He was preceded in death by his father James Edward Nunley and stepfather Brad Sweeton. Survivors include his son, Wittle James (Amanda) Nunley, Stillwell, Oklahoma; mother, Roberta Sweeton, Tracy City; brother, James Edward Nunley, California; sister, Josephine Sweeton, Tracy City; grandchild, Addison McKenzie Nunley. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 2 in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Mike Rigsby officiating. Burial will be in Plainview Cemetery with pallbearers Wittle Nunley, Earl Campbell, Jimmy Layne, Johnny Carter, James Edward Nunley and Robert Heck. Arrangements were made by Foster and Lay Funeral Home, Tracy City, TN.
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