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Archive for May, 2008

Press Release and Poem

I guess things are progressing very well.  Below is a copy of the press release that we’ve sent to various medias that have either requested one or was sent for information.  Also, below that is a poem that Kathy wrote about the ride.  Actually, Kathy wrote the relase and Pat (my sister) did a minor modification.  My sincere appreciation and gratitude to Kathy for this and her forthcoming support.

Press Release  Dated:           June 1, 2008  Blazing the Continental Divide…On Horseback  On June 21, 2008, Colonel William W. (Rocky) Woolman II, (retired) currently of Pueblo, CO, will set out on horseback to establish the first accessible route for equestrians along the Continental Divide. While a hiking route was created many years ago, there has never been a documented route for horseman to follow. Colonel Woolman has spent two years researching and planning his route.  This ambitious endeavor will commence from Antelope Wells, New Mexico, track along his pre-planned route following the Continental Divide and ending in Canada.  No other modern day horseman has accomplished this daunting expedition of riding 3,200 miles on horseback in one year.  While two attempts have been made in recent years, both were halted due to concern for the animals’ health and the riders’ well-being.  Colonel Woolman anticipates the ride will take approximately three months.  However, he concedes it might take longer depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
 Rocky has been contemplating a ride of this magnitude for the past eight years.  He now feels that the time is right to attempt this challenge. Rocky who is an avid horseman has many trail miles under his belt. He started seriously researching and planning his route while stationed in Iraq as a civilian employee in 2006.  He continues to fine-tune his route, to include alternate courses, in the event his planned route is not safe for his horses or other horseman who may follow the trail in the future.  Rocky will be using two American Quarter Horses, and a recently adopted Mustang, which he acquired from the Colorado State Prison system. What better way to explore the West than using horses that are part of our history in the West.
 Jim Wolf, a Baltimore lawyer established the Continental Divide Trail Society in 1978. The Society’s goal when formed was to encourage the government to build the trail. While only a limited number of avid hikers hike the entire length of the Continental Divide every year, thousands of outdoor lovers hike other parts of the trail.  Horseback riding is becoming a very popular recreational activity.  The route, which Colonel Woolman establishes, will make it easier for riders to attain their locations and documentation in order to better prepare them for the challenges, which lie ahead. Rocky’s experiences in the field both as a horseman and retired army officer provides him with the knowledge of the potential dangers that he may encounter on this ride though the remote wilderness.  He desires to share his knowledge and expertise to better prepare future equestrian explorers.
Upon his retirement from public service in June 2008, Rocky, 62, will be residing in Antlers Oklahoma.  While there is no special cause for the ride, other than for personal achievement and the establishment of a trail which horsemen can enjoy in the future, Rocky wants all present day troops and fellow veterans to know that they will be in his thoughts and prayers as always. His quote reflects his feelings of his military career, “I have lived in times that others have forgotten.”
 
Riding along with Colonel Woolman will be Larry Hanson, 63, of MN. Larry will be bringing his three horses for the journey.  Both men will have a saddle horse and a pack animal. Family friend, Paul Hauert, of San Antonio, Texas, will serve as the logistics coordinator and Kathy Merrell of Sauquoit, New York will be documenting the ride.   

Any trail rider wanting to join Rocky for any part of the journey can meet up with him along the route.  Advance notice to Rocky will be necessary.  To contact Colonel Woolman and learn more about his ride you can visit his website at www.woolman.us.

__________________________________________________________________________

 ROCKY’S RIDE 

by Kathy Merrell
 
Blazing a trail on the Continental Divide,
beginning in June with 3,200 miles to ride.
Following a northern route from Antelope Wells,
listening to the stories that Mother Nature tells.
 
Traveling across many miles of barren land,
filled with a history of  Indians and outlaw bands.
Wondering of the treasures that were found in faraway hills,
and about ranchers’ survival between the much needed windmills.
 
Challenges lie ahead for both the man and his steed,
finding springs for a much needed drink, and meadows for plentiful feed.
Seeing the beauty  this rugged land has to share,
what will be found,  is it precious or rare.

So saddle up and make your dreams come true,
riding under a sun so bright and sky so blue.
Crossing many streams and climbing mountains,
getting closer to Mother Nature’s magic fountains.
 
A ride like this is a true horseman’s test,
sitting tall in the saddle, you’ll do your best.
Establishing a horseman’s trail on the Continental Divide,
will be the outcome of Rocky’s Ride.

Crunch Time!!

Well….it is almost “crunch” time.  There are other ouside sources already in play.  It seems our adventure is beginning to to catch the interest in other equestrian friends and public affairs venues.  We’ll just have to wait and see if any really come about.  There are many instances about our ride.  It will be the 30th anniversary of the Continental Divide Trail; July is the National Day of the Cowboy; and the ride contains individuals that have never even met before and will come together as a team.  The Long Riders Guild (http://www.thelongridersguild.com ) has a link on their website advertising the upcoming ride as well as a link to a personal page to track my ride.  The American Quarter Horse Assn. is interested in the ride (since I will have 2 quarter horses on the ride) and a few other equestrian organizations will be watching.

I do have one change.  My mustang, which I’ve been calling “Charger”, has been renamed with the assistance of my granddaughter (Laekyn Reust).  He will now be called “Soldier”.  The main reason being that I am a retired soldier, the horse is a “grey” gelding, and will be in memory of our troops.  I hope he will get use to his new name.

The route is tenatively mapped, animal and supplies are generally together, the crew have arranged their arrival times, and I’m retiring.  The next task will be the “trip”.  I think we are all looking forward to it and know we will enjoy seeing the rockies by horseback.  The start date is scheduled for June 21st (the first day of summer).  More later……..

Rocky

Home

It’s time for another update.  This past month, I’ve been pretty busy.  I’m phasing down at work (for my ultimate retirement),  refinanced my property (since interest rates have dropped so much), had my doublewide home set up on my property, and am preparing (still) for my June ride.

 I’ve added some pictures of them delivering and setting up my doublewide on my property.  I’ve gradually deleted some of my Iraq pictures, since it has been almost 2 years since my visit (wow!! time is flying by!!).  I have most all of the utilities set in except for the electricity.  My plumber will be there this next week and install the propane (gas) line.  The only thing I have on gas is my stove.  I will be putting in a fireplace insert, later, so will have a gas line available when I do that. 

I am preparing for my departure from Colorado by packing and moving things to Oklahoma.  All of my horses and horse tack is already in Oklahoma as well as one load of personal goods.  I am packing boxes, rented a Budget truck, closed out my home phone (am using cell phone only), and transferring what I can by mail to the new address in Antlers.

I had a surprise visit by Larry Hanson about 2 weeks ago.  He came down from Minnesota just to see who I really was.  We had a nice visit.  He spent the night and went on to Denver to visit his daughter before returning to Minnesota.  I think I have all I need and am planning for as far as the ride is concerned, is completed.  I’m waiting to hear from kathy (New York) as to when and where her plane is coming in, so I can schedule to pick her up.  I did purchase the other horse from BLM (see previous posting) and they are delivering it to Mark (my son-in-law) this Wednesday for him to take back to his house.  He will be bringing it to me as we meet up on my way to Antelope Wells around June 20th.

Since my retirement is so close, they are already scheduling events for my departure.  There is a depot wide luncheon for me on May 15th, and then a special supper (just for invited guests) for me on May 9th.  Last week, I was awarded both a certificate of Commendation and Appreciation along with a Chemical Material Agency (our higher headquarters) coin and lapel pin for my tour in Iraq (I guess better late than never??)

Mark Reust’s Birthday

Gwen Woolman’s Birthday