Cross-country cowboy talks about journey

Thompson says God guides his quest

By Kiernan M. Schalk, Sentinel reporter, kschalk@lewistownsentinel.com
BELLEVILLE — While most of us want to get where we need to go as fast as possible in our cars, Mick Thompson is content taking it slow and steady atop his trusted steed, Hawkeye.

Max Book, of Belleville, who spoke with Thompson on Tuesday, said for Thompson, the journey is a “spiritual thing; God was leading him.”

“More than just seeing the country, it’s a spiritual pilgrimage for him,” Book added.

When Thompson first started his journey he wanted to “raise awareness for Feed The Children,” but then he spent some time in Colorado at 10,000 feet above sea level, deep in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, and his mission changed a little.

“My mission is to get God and Jesus Christ out of the movies and television,” Thompson said of his desire to clean up the language he see in the media.

Thompson said he doesn’t think it’s appropriate for television and the movies to take “God and Jesus Christ’s name in vain.”

Thompson, who said he calls the state of Wyoming his home, set out on his journey in 2003 from the Oregon coast, and prior to setting out on his quest, had never been east of the Mississippi River.

Thompson spends his nights sleeping under the stars with Hawkeye and his dog Yogi, who have been his loyal side-kicks for 10 years.

“I had a pack horse, but gave him up in Colorado ... got tired of feeding two horses,” Thompson said with laugh.

Nearly every place Thompson visits is new for him, and when asked about the people he meets, Thompson said “everywhere I go, people are really nice.”

Thompson added the Big Valley is no exception and that many people have stopped to talk with him about his travels.

Thompson said he met David Peight of Belleville recently and he offered him a place to camp out, for which Thompson was grateful.

“(He) gave me a spot right next to a pond for Hawkeye,” Thompson said of his camping site.

Thompson said he plans to continue his journey throughout the summer while the weather is nice.

“I don’t travel in the winter, I’m not that tough,” he said with a smile.

Thompson’s next goal is to make it to Maine by sometime this summer.