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.
