I am thankful for the many people who have helped make this ride possible.   There isn’t enough space or time to list them all.  But I want to specifically mention some of my friends and family who make this ride happen or who inspired me to Ride Across America.

My family has been very supportive, especially my wife, Kris.  Without her there would be no ride.   Her patience and support and understanding is amazing and apparently never-ending!

Thanks to our daughter and her husband, Melissa and Sean Scaramuzzo, for moving into our home to take care of our place when I am on the trail.  Sean is an animal  (and human) chiropractor and takes great care of our horses too.  And to our daughter, Jessie,  and her husband, Nole, for their encouragement and support, and for Jessie’s help in conditioning the horses for the trail.

Thanks to Jim Dunaway.  I learned more about horses and life from him than he will ever know.   He taught me the importance of family, friends, humility and especially forgiveness by his example.   He took my on my first overnight pack trip in the Ochoco Mountains of Crook County, Oregon,  and my second pack trip in the Strawberry Mountains of Grant County, Oregon in the early 1980’s.  He, more than anyone else, inspired me to fulfill my dream of riding across America.  The best husband, father, grandfather, and friend.   And a really good horseman.

I have several good friends who drove the SAG wagon (pickup and horse trailer) in 2018 and 2019.  Tom Bernards, Curt Ringstad, Kandi Hansen and my wife, Kris.  They all gave up a minimum of 2 weeks just to follow me around the mountain trails of Idaho and Montana.   Another good friend, Thad Buchanan, rode with me for about 10 days in 2017 in Washington State.

Thanks to Gillian Larson.  I have never met her, but have communicated with her via e-mail multiple times.  She has given me suggestions and advice and information about the Continental Divide Trail (which she thru-rode ALONE in 2018 from Mexico to Canada, after thru-riding the Pacific Crest Trail twice (alone) in 2014 and 2016.  She has many other equine adventures under her belt as well.  A remarkable woman who is eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.  She is amazing.  Very inspiring.   Her contact information is contained on my Links page.