FROM: Larry Carpenter, California Division Member.
PST
The last Rider arrived in Pony Express Plaza, Old Sacramento, California, at 10:30 AM, June 27, 2013—On Scheduled Time. He was Escorted by a color guard of California Riders. The mochila which started at the Patee House in St Joseph, Missouri, on June 17th was 10 days on the trail.
His was welcomed by an appreciative crowd at 2nd and J St in front of the Pony Rider Monument. I introduced Jeff Lelevich, Sacramento Postmaster, who gave Welcoming Remarks from a historical perspective. Jim Swigart, NPEA National President then gave an overview of the 2013 Re-ride since he travelled with the Ride, sheparded the mochila from St Joseph.
The Rider Dean Freitas and his horse was the subject of attention though, both proudly posing for the many fans taking pictures of the historica occasion. The event was in the shadow of the Pony Rider Monument and it too was a favorite to pose before and take pictures of.
Pony Express Plaza is across the street from the BF Hastings Bldg, the site of the Pony Express Agency in 1860-61. It was from here that on the morning of April 4, 1860, William Hamilton departed with the first eastbound Ride. He rode to Upper Placerville (present day Camino) where he turned over his mochila to Warren Upson, who rode through a snowstorm to take it over the Sierras. If you look West and down J St, you can see the waterfront where the steamboat brought the first mail upriver from San Francisco. A historic area in Pony Express History.
Good Media attention with a couple of TV Stations and the local newspaper in attendance. We thank the US Postal Service for having a Team in place to Hand Cancel the Ride Letter. Ralph Petty Customer Service Director for the Postal Service again was of great help and we appreciate the support of the Re-ride each year.