I love people.
No matter where I am in the world, I always seem to run into extraordinary human beings!
After a very lonely and hard stretch through southern Wyoming, I found myself in the town of Savery, population 25. As I rode into the small town, I ran into Sam Morgan. Born October 16, 1934, this Cowboy is a Senior Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee who rode broncs until the age of 53!
Sam had read an article about my ride in the Rawlings newspaper and invited me to stay at his ranch. Before I had even untacked my horses, the stories began!
“When I was 16 years old, I started riding Broncs. I went to a rodeo in Dixon and my mom made me promise I wouldn’t ride that night.
I got on a rank son-of-a-gun that stepped on my head and ripped my shirt off. When I got home my mom looked at me and said, “you rode didn’t you?” I said no, I didn’t ride. I wasn’t lying, I really didn’t ride that horse,” he recalled with a smile on his face.
During his rodeo career, Sam rode bareback, saddlebronc, bulldogged, and roped calves. With a recent hip replacement, the life-long rancher now relies on a segway to get around.
“This thing has really helped me move the last few years,” he told me as we made our way around his house.
Even with the hip replacement, this cowboy will not sit still. Sam travels to Arizona in the winters where he team-ropes for several months.
“I hate the cold; soon enough I’ll be heading south with my horses,” he said.
Even though we only spent a day and a half together, when it came time to leave, I was kind of sad. I really enjoyed getting to know this amazing man and hearing some of his stories. What an extraordinary life he has lived.
As I tacked up my horses on a cool Tuesday morning, he watched carefully throwing in suggestions every once in a while.
“You may want to loosen up that breast collar a bit,” he said.
As I got ready to ride out, he asked if he could lead one of my horses over the bridge that connected his driveway to the main road. I passed him Texas’ lead rope and we made our way over the bridge. He led the way on his segway as I rode close behind with the other two horses. It was an amazing moment.
From Savery, I made my way to Craig, Colorado, where I met another amazing soul! Through Couchsurfers, I got the amazing opportunity of spending time with Peter Lisker.
A respiratory therapist, Peter loves his job!
“I really enjoy meeting the patients and learning their stories,” he said.
While having dinner one night at an Italian restaurant, he told me about his dream to move to Costa Rica for work.
“I love seeing what you are doing because it makes me feel like working in Costa Rica is a realistic goal.
If you can ride a horse from Canada to Brazil, there’s no reason why I can’t make this happen,” Peter told me.
It was so nice hearing him say those words. I could see in his eyes how much he wants to get down to Central America! He is studying spanish on his downtime, joining Latin forums on the internet, and contacting Americans who have moved to Costa Rica. He is on his way to live out this dream, and it makes me so happy!
JourneyAmerica has the hope of inspiring people to follow their dreams! No matter how simple or wild it may be. Never back down. Never lose sight.
This ride also aims to remind us how amazing people can be. Over and over again, I am meeting strangers who open their homes for me and become friends! 99.9 per cent of people are great – don’t forget it. 🙂
