Erin Pence Photography: October 2008

Sunday, October 12, 2008

A Modern Day Cowboy: John Wayne Haynes

Today I met John Wayne. John Wayne Haynes that is... This definitely goes down as one of those interesting people you meet when your lives cross paths. He was a modern-day cowboy traveling from Hudson, MI to Santa Fe, NM entirely on horseback. With him were Misty and Harley his two Appaloosa horses and his dog Shelia, an American Cattle Dog-Border Collie Mix. Only eleven days into his five to six-month journey, he said he had already met many friendly faces. He said "What better way to see the country than on horseback?" I wish him luck on his adventure and safe travels along the way.

Update: After seeing the interest people have in John's travels across the United States, I decided to post the article that our local newspaper, the Sidney Daily News, published October 13, 2008. A PDF of the article is available here http://www.erinpence.com/JohnWayneHayes_SDN.pdf

Update: Paul D. Palmer Sr. of Luther, OK shared a song that he wrote and recorded about John. I thought it was completely amazing, so I got permission to share it with all of you! :-)

Listen Here

The Long Rider

There’s a’ long rider ridin’
from up Michigan way
he’s headin’ out west
to old Santa Fe
With two spotted ponies
to carry along
this old cowboy spirit
with a head full of song

Well, he stopped for the night
at the Circle D-5
New shoes for the ponies
and a rest from the ride…
He shared of his stories
and sang us his songs
two nights worth of wonder
and then he was gone

(chorus)
So sing to us John
and tell us your tale
speak of the ice storms
and speak of the hail
and tell us of the wonders
you found on the way
on the trail of the cowboy
on to old Santa Fe

and a heeler of red
and a heeler of blue
and two appy’s called Harley
and Misty and you…
John Wayne Haynes (SPOKEN)

(repeat chorus)

© 2009, PD Palmer Sr.