The end of trail.... rest in peace Hank... you will be forever remembered.

Made it to snake lake, it was dry!!! Spent the night got up the next morning and rode to Marsland turnoff. A good friend Steve Klases (in picture along with Kathy) picked me up and brought me to his ranch. I stayed there two days. Borrowed his truck to look for campsites, found a nice campsite in Crawford kept going and found my next site off Toadstool rode, Ardmore was the next campsite (it was the only water with 20 miles). Went back to Steves after I had planned out all my sites. Needed some rest.

After a couple days rest Steve hauled me back out to highway and I rode 17 miles to Pine Ridge and made it to Crawford got there about 10:30 and set camp up.

I was relaxing a bit and making a few phone calls and got some bad news. Found out that a good friend of mine took his life. This really took the air out of my sail. With this news, I made the decision to end my ride.

A friend came and picked me up and I dropped all the horses back off. The last couple days I have just regrouped and mourned the loss of this great cowboy. I am thankful to have many wonderful memories.

I am going to leave the website open until September but will not be posting anything.

I thank everyone for their support. Thanks to all that tracked me, donated and helped me along the way. The money will be going to St Judes Research Center in Memphis Tennessee.

Happy trails to you all..... Ross

Still hot...still alot of bugs!

Spent the night last night at Minatare Lake been riding most of day and will make it to Snake Lake tonight. Heading to cousins place will give the horses a two day break then heading to Crawford. Ross reports a "sore bottom"!

Route Change!

For those of you that know Ross, one thing he is not scared of is change! Ha! After talking with a few people Ross decide to change his path, the path Ross intended to travel is very limited in water and he worried that the stock just would not have enough. In addition the weather has been really finicky and Ross worried a little bit about tornado's and such. So with that-- Ross is heading North toward the Black Hills. I talked with him Saturday AM and he was doing great, had just spent the night at his cousins. I think he would appreciate calls and encouragement on his ride! You can reach Ross on his cell at 307-899-3213, it isn't on all the time but leave him a message if you are unable to reach him.

Scottsbluff Pictures

Article from kneb.com

Riding for "Coins For Cancer"
Published Friday, July 17, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Ross Welfl riding for "Coins For Cancer"
After recently losing two uncles, a grandfather and two good friends to cancer, a Yellowstone cowboy is riding the region for cancer research. On June 13th, Ross Welfl of Cody, Wyoming began his journey to cover hundreds of miles for "Coins for Cancer". Welfl has traveled over 400 miles to reach the Farm And Ranch Museum. After a few days off in Gering, his journey will continue north. He has picked out his route yet, but he will be heading for the Black Hills.
Welfl is traveling approximately 20 miles per day with three horses and one mule. Periodically Welfl is updating his website with the status of his ride.Wilfl says he has no expectations for community support. He says it's up to the people of Nebraska and on into to South Dakota to start anteing up for research for cancer. He has enough to worry about with his horse stock, himself, rattlesnakes, traffic and glass.
Welfl is riding for cancer until August 28th, when he will return to Cody as a hunting guide.This isn't Welf's first charity ride. Back in the early 1980's he rode over 300 miles in 13 days and raised over $3,000 for Jerry's Kids. You can follow his journey online at www.coinsforcancer.blogspot.comDonations can be made to Coins for Cancer and sent to: Bank of the West 1330 Sheridan Ave Cody, WY 82414

Pictures!!!

Thank you Heidi for sending pictures!!!

Pass at Lysite

Leaving Thermopolis

Camp (I know it looks like the Hilton!)

NEBRASKA!!!

Ross just called and is about 3 miles out of Henry Nebraska. Said it is a bit overcast and the cooler morning feels good! He is in a great mood!! I read him all the posts and he is thankful for all the encouragment!!!