Les Nichols rode from Texas to New York on horseback.
The stretch from the Audie Murphy Memorial in Celeste to the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville that Nichols plans to ride to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks should be a piece of cake.
Nichols gained national recognition when he embarked on an eight-month quest to raise funds for the victims of the 9-11 attacks by riding on horseback between the Alamo in San Antonio and Ground Zero in New York City.
It took him more than eight months, but Nichols couldn't have arrived at a more apropos time - July 4, 2002. Along the way, he amassed a collection of fire department t-shirts and hats, and the respect of those who followed his trek on Good Morning America and in local newspapers.
Now, from his home in Celeste, Nichols is planning a different sort of trail ride - one a little less strenuous, and one that will include much of the surrounding community. The ride, which will cost $25 for adults and will be free for children 12 and younger, will be held the weekend of Sept. 6 and 7.
"We're holding it the weekend before because Sept. 11 falls in the middle of the week this year," Nichols said last Wednesday.
While details are still being worked out, the ride would include a picnic lunch and a treasure hunt, with the prizes - donated by area merchants - hidden along the trail in envelopes. The event will also be alcohol-free.
"There will be three kinds of rides - one for antique cars, one for bicycles and one for horses," he said.
The proceeds, Nichols said, will go either to local law enforcement and fire departments, or to a relief fund called the American Posse organization, which began during his cross-country ride.
For information on the ride, contact Nichols at 903-568-4902 or by e-mail at texaseasttbs@aol.com.
The stretch from the Audie Murphy Memorial in Celeste to the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville that Nichols plans to ride to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks should be a piece of cake.
Nichols gained national recognition when he embarked on an eight-month quest to raise funds for the victims of the 9-11 attacks by riding on horseback between the Alamo in San Antonio and Ground Zero in New York City.
It took him more than eight months, but Nichols couldn't have arrived at a more apropos time - July 4, 2002. Along the way, he amassed a collection of fire department t-shirts and hats, and the respect of those who followed his trek on Good Morning America and in local newspapers.
Now, from his home in Celeste, Nichols is planning a different sort of trail ride - one a little less strenuous, and one that will include much of the surrounding community. The ride, which will cost $25 for adults and will be free for children 12 and younger, will be held the weekend of Sept. 6 and 7.
"We're holding it the weekend before because Sept. 11 falls in the middle of the week this year," Nichols said last Wednesday.
While details are still being worked out, the ride would include a picnic lunch and a treasure hunt, with the prizes - donated by area merchants - hidden along the trail in envelopes. The event will also be alcohol-free.
"There will be three kinds of rides - one for antique cars, one for bicycles and one for horses," he said.
The proceeds, Nichols said, will go either to local law enforcement and fire departments, or to a relief fund called the American Posse organization, which began during his cross-country ride.
For information on the ride, contact Nichols at 903-568-4902 or by e-mail at texaseasttbs@aol.com.
Les Nichols and his dog, Posse, spent much of 2002 on horseback in an effort to raise funds for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He is now organizing another kind of trail ride to commemorate the two year anniversary of the attack. Photo courtesy of Les Nichols