Cowboy will climb back in the saddle for trip to Capitol.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

Lebanon cowboy Bill Inman isn't looking to break into politics.

And he's not really comfortable with the "social activist" label.

But at this point, that might be the best way to describe Inman, who gained international media attention in January when he completed a 3,000-mile horseback journey across the United States. Along the way, he documented online the stories of rural Americans who he believes comprise the country's backbone.

He'll climb back atop his horse, Blackie, next month, and expects others to saddle up and join him for the next leg of his trip, to Washington, D.C., where Inman intends to ride with his posse to Capitol Hill and give federal government officials a unique wake-up call.

"A lot of politicians get into office and forget what they're there for," Inman said. "Last time I checked, they work for us. I'm not trying to lead a protest or a revolution. But I do plan to go right up there with a flood of people, and remind (politicians) that we need somebody to demonstrate some true leadership."

Unconventional? Definitely.

But to dismiss Inman, 48, as nothing other than a whimsical wanderer would be wrong. Because clearly, the man is on a mission.

Inman said the experience of riding across the United States - and meeting along the way hardworking people who struggle daily to make ends meet - motivated him to plan a novel visit to the nation's capitol.

That, and a BBC interviewer who suggested that his cross-country trip, while interesting, did little to improve the overall state of the union.

"He said, `You really didn't make much of a difference,' and I got to thinking about that," Inman said. "You know, I've had the honor to see what's true and good about this country, but we are facing troubling times. Now, what I want to do is lift peoples' spirits and encourage hope."

Inman plans to begin the trip to Washington on April 13. He'll leave from Hendersonville, N.C., where his seven-month horseback journey across the United States ended.

Just as he did along the trail between Lebanon and North Carolina, Inman plans to document the upcoming trek online at www.uncoveringamerica.com.

While his wife, Brenda, is working on a book about the cross-country journey, and a videographer who accompanied him in a pickup truck wants to sell footage compiled during the trip, Inman said he's not at all interested in gaining fame or fortune.

"I spent everything I have and more trying to show people what's great about America," he said. "I don't care if I'm on `Oprah' or anything like that. I just want to be able to tell my grandkids that I tried to make a difference."

Inman expects the 500-mile jaunt from Hendersonville to Washington will take about five weeks to complete.