Reports from the Trail
2016
FROM: Lyle Ladner, President NPEA
SENT: June 15th, 2016 | 1:20pm PDT
STATUS: Fish Hatchery Exchange - 30 min early.
Detours on the Trail
FROM: Lori Babbage, California NPEA
PDT
Ride #2: Jeff Babbage and daughter Allison Babbage arrived early to the exchange point in Sacramento at Discovery Park. Unfortunately, dad woke up with the stomach flu and felt it a wise idea to pass on this portion of the ride. Allison, as a lone rider received the mail on time and the exchange was picture perfect (thank you Sara Miller). The trail only brought one challenge to Allison at just over three miles in. The trail is beautiful as it follows the curves of American River. As Allison and, Continue Reading
FROM: Melba Leal, California NPEA
SENT: June 15th, 2016 | 12:51pm PDT
STATUS: Big coverage in Old Sac. About twenty minutes of talks. About four TV stations. Just arrived at Sunrise 27 minutes ahead of schedule.
FROM: Lyle Ladner, President NPEA
SENT: June 15th, 2016 | 11:22am PDT
STATUS: On time departure from Old Sac.
My 8th year Re-Riding of The Pony
FROM: Carol Hunt, Schellbourne Re-riders
PDT
In White Pine County, there are 142 miles of 99% original trail. Remnants of several of the old “stations” which housed the horses and riders still exist. The Schellbourne Station on highway 93, about 35 miles north of McGill has a great exhibit and information at the rest stop. A huge silhouette of a Pony rider also marks the spot. The group that carries the mail is named after the old Fort Schellbourne. There are usually about 22 riders to carry the mail across the 142 miles, the longest section, Continue Reading
2015
Schellbourne Re-Riders 2015
FROM: Wendy Anderson
PDT
Jim Hannah and Tony Zamora. It was dark, pitch black. The horses moved out carefully, watching all the shadows from vehicles in the front and in back of them. Their ride went well, then the next two riders headed out, and things went drastically wrong quickly. One rider came off and the horse disappeared into the dark morning. Luckily, the rider seemed to be okay, and the mail had been on the other rider’s horse, so the mail must go on. A big thank you to Lyle Ladner and Dean, Continue Reading
Schellbourne Re-Riders
FROM: Wendy Anderson, Schellbourne Re-riders
PDT
Jim Hannah and Tony Zamora. It was dark, pitch black. The horses moved out carefully, watching all the shadows from vehicles in the front and in back of them. Their ride went well, then the next two riders headed out, and things went drastically wrong quickly. One rider came off and the horse disappeared into the dark morning. Luckily, the rider seemed to be okay, and the mail had been on the other rider’s horse, so the mail must go on. A big thank you to Lyle Ladner and Dean, Continue Reading
Nevada Re-Ride 2015
FROM: Ron Bell, President Nevada Division
PDT
Steve Neilson picked me up at 7:00 am on Sunday June 21, 2015 to start our adventure at Ibapah, to pick up the mail from Utah. After a nice drive we arrived kind of in Ibapah found the trail marker but no people or horses. Steve and I drove around a bit to check out the hot spots in town, well we found slim pickings. The next move was to backtrack to check ranches with trailers, horses and people. I remember a statement that the ranch was about 2 miles, Continue Reading
Nevada Re-Ride 2015
FROM: Ron Bell President Nevada Division Pony Express
PDT
Steve Neilson picked me up at 7:00 am on Sunday June 21, 2015 to start our adventure at Ibapah, to pick up the mail from Utah. After a nice drive we arrived kind of in Ibapah found the trail marker but no people or horses. Steve and I drove around a bit to check out the hot spots in town, well we found slim pickings. The next move was to backtrack to check ranches with trailers, horses and people. I remember a statement that the ranch was about 2 miles, Continue Reading
Schellbourne ReRiders June 22, 2015:
FROM: Gene Ockert, Ride Captain, Schellbourne ReRiders
PDT
As we are departing for Hicks Ranch where we camp for the first night. We left Ely Sunday 20th, about 12:30. On our way we ran into the group from Pahrump who was riding with us for the ReRide. One of the trailers was on the side of the road, we stopped to give assistance. It seems that they broke an spring on the horse trailer. Not sure if this is a sign for the rest of the trip. We all ran into Wendover to top off on fuel and, Continue Reading