Reports from the Trail: Stories
By Year
By State
2013
Three generations of riders
FROM: Ginger Swigert
PDT
The mail is behind because of a few set backs that occurred in WY but it is clear that everyone is working extremely hard to make up time safely. Late Saturday night we caught up with the first of the Utah riders in Evanston, WY. Three generations of riders were participating for the first time. They knew the mail was a little behind but their spirits were high and exited about riding. Sunday started following the riders up State St. in Utah. Riding many miles on asphalt is difficult but, Continue Reading
rider exchange just east of Faust, UT
FROM: Laurie Sakaeda
PDT
We were at the Fairfield station and at a rider exchange just east of Faust, UT. The switch happened about a mile east of the Faust Station marker in kind of a gravel pit, so the background is kind of rugged. Of course this whole section of the trail is pretty barren with a lot of alkali, sagebrush, rocks, and little water. As the rider came in he said “I made it.”
2013 ride near Bridgeport Nebraska
FROM: Troy Bryan
PDT
I put up a youtube video of the 2013 ride near Bridgeport Nebraska.
Team One
FROM: Mark Jenkins, Utah NPEA
PDT
Just give you a quick report. Our first Team One picked up the mail five and a quarter hours late at Utah-Wyoming border at one fifteen this morning. They had a very good ride. They made it to Murray Park in Salt Lake City and hand it off to Team Three which is Pat Hardy’s crew by nine fifteen this morning
Run Pony Run
FROM: John and Missy Harris,Sweetwater County, Wyoming
PDT
This was our twelth year riding with the Pony Express. In the weeks before the ride our mule broke my hand and I was going to be unable to ride. Disappointment was mingled with fear for my husband. His horse can be unpredictable, at best, if ridden alone. I attempted to find someone to ride my fairly head-strong mustang but that also didn’t end well. In the end it would be John and Dark Moon Rising, aka Giraffe, 15 year old breeding stock paint, with our daughter, Emily who is, Continue Reading
Wyoming/Utah border
FROM: Sherry Kilpac Utah Division Team One
PDT
We are at the Wyoming/Utah border. It’s ten oh three and we’re still waiting for the Wyoming people to show up. And moon’s out. Kinda chilly but we’re happy to be here.
Good day, windy but not hot.
FROM: Jim Swigert, President National Pony Express Association
PDT
We were doing just fine staying on schedule. We actually left yesterday morning from Casper about a half hour ahead of schedule but they lost time last night. Wyoming lost about four hours last night. No accidents, nobody’s hurt, but it was just a couple slow riders, couple riders in the wrong spot. Just a kind of a thing and had to go get him get him in the right position move horses around and they just some time. I am at Granger right now. Just talked to Les Bennington., Continue Reading
The sun shining and a light breeze
FROM: Debbie Hill, Jefferson County NE Pony Express Re-Ride
PDT
With the sun shining and a light breeze it was a beautiful morning for a ride on the 2nd day of the 2013 Pony Express Re-Ride. These pictures were taken at the Tri-County Marker on the Nebraska/Kansas border just north of Hanover, KS by Gary Heit and Dylan Au-Tegethoff. Gary 16. Jefferson County Nebraska Pony Express Riders are visiting while waiting for the Washington County Kansas Pony Express Riders at the Kansas/Nebraska border. From left to right: Nebraska Pony Express Assoc. President Lyle Gronewold, Chris Riggle, Brenda Riggle, Kenny Riggle, Kolby Garret, Continue Reading
Sweetwater County, Wyoming
FROM: Howard Schultz, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Ride Captain
PDT
We just picked up mail at Atlantic City at seven thirty Mountain standard Time. Headed to Farson trying to make up as much time as we can. Thank you.
The Interpretive Center in Casper WY.
FROM: Ginger Swigart
PDT
As I send this WY is riding through the night. The good news is no big problems. If the mail is behind, some how it seems to work out. The opportunity to follow the re-ride has been amazing. The riders are so committed to getting the Mochilla handed off on time. The comradely in the states and between the states is evident. I have seen the riders pull together when they hear a ride captain has been in a major accident, experienced a fall, or a serious illness. The events, Continue Reading