'El Paso' song inspires 2,000-mile horseback ride

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

"EL PASO -- The song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins has inspired many to travel long distances to visit the legendary Rosa's Cantina. For Robert "Bob" Jones, the trip meant four months and two days on horseback -- from the border of Canada to the Rio Grande.

A sunburned and windblown Jones traveled about 2,000 miles from North Dakota to El Paso. Later this week, he will visit Rosa's Cantina.

On Tuesday, Jones reached the El Paso County Sheriff's Office patrol substation on Montana Avenue, where he dropped off the horses.

Jones, who wore a cowboy hat, worn-out cowboy boots, a green button-up shirt and jeans, slowly rode one horse and ponied another with his possessions along Montana near Loop 375.

What motivated the Wales native, who now lives in England, to take the horseback trip?

"I retired from work about two years ago, and I wanted to do something a bit special before I got too old. I couldn't think of what to do. I'm a big country-Western fan, and we go to the country and Western clubs in England. "Of course, we dress up like the cowboys and everything like that," he said in a British accent. "I love Marty Robbins and all his cowboy songs. ... Instantly, I thought, 'That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to ride to El Paso.' It was the song that did it."

Jones was hesitant to tell his wife, Janet, about his plans.

"I didn't tell her for three months. I wanted to make sure I could do it. I was fit enough and it could be done," the 58-year-old said.

"I didn't know a thing about horses at the time. I had never ridden before. So I had to find out a lot before I made up my mind. I thought, 'Well, you can always change your mind.' ... But as soon as I realized I was going to do it, I told her and she has been very supportive, all the way through it."

Waiting at the Sheriff's Office patrol substation Tuesday was his wife, whom he hadn't seen since he left his home to fly to Canada on July 8.

Janet Jones, 59, flew into El Paso on Nov. 28 to wait for her husband.

"I'm very emotional. I'm very proud of him, very proud," she said while she gazed at her husband.

"I couldn't quite believe it, first of all. He did say if I didn't want him to go, he wouldn't go. As soon as I thought about it, I said 'No, go for it.' " For more information about the trip, visit www.americanlongride.blogspot.com"

He just arrived on Monday cool huh?

[Ban Hammer 14,302]

i bet he was quite saddle sore when done.

[almaty 19]

I hope he did not run into Jose

[Mononoke28 137]

Este es el corrido del caballo blanco

Que un dia domingo feliz arrancara;

Iba con la mira de llegar al norte,

Habiendo salido de Guadalajara.

Diana

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Este es el corrido del caballo blanco

Que un dia domingo feliz arrancara;

Iba con la mira de llegar al norte,

Habiendo salido de Guadalajara.

Diana

jaja! hay Dianita

[one...two...tree 2,762]