2017

2nd year as a Ride Lieutenant

FROM: Christine Starr
June 16th, 2017 PDT

I just finished my second year as a Ride Lieutenant for the National Pony Express Re-Ride.  I started in Tahoe at the State Line on Wednesday June 14th at 3:15 (left Placerville at 1:00), rider was coming in at 5:30 (we have to be in place 2 hours ahead when we are in the mountains), followed my different riders down the mountain.  Normally I would have been done at XP Corral,  but while we were in Tahoe waiting, my co-pilot Cinder & I decided we wanted to go the whole, Continue Reading

Czech contingent joins NPEA CA for Annual Re-Ride

FROM: Larry Carpenter
June 14th, 2017 PDT

Czech ReRiders Czech ReRiders Czech ReRiders In 1860- 1861, it was a Home Station for the Pony Express. This is what it looked like then. There was an exchange of Riders and horses here, but it was also an Inn on the road to Virginia City. Tonight it will serve as an International gathering of friends of the Pony Express! SPORTSMAN’S is not only a national historic trail landmark, but a very good restaurant. The California Division has held everything from monthly meetings, Ride Selection, to Ride Dinners here WELCOME, Continue Reading

2016

Riders Strive to be on Time!

FROM: Tom Crews, California NPEA
June 18th, 2016 PDT

This may not be a race, but I know all riders strive to be on time. When California is running a little behind you would not believe how those riders in the mountains just crash down the hill. We have been known to make up 3 hours and arrive in Old Sac on time. I don’t think the public realizes how individual this “sport” is. Yes, there may be some support people along, but out on the trail it is just one rider and his horse alone under the open, Continue Reading

Hwy 50 to Celio Ranch in CA

FROM: Lisa Agoitia, California XP Rider
June 17th, 2016 PDT

My ride was Hwy 50 to Celio Ranch. The mail was a 45 min ahead of time by the time I received it. Smooth sailing down the hill to Cielio Ranch. Ran it a few min. faster than the time given. If it was raining or wet pavement it would have been a slow go down the paved hill. But weather was on our side and Harmony (my horse) and I had a beautiful ride down. Passed of the mail to the next rider. Folks had pancakes and eggs at, Continue Reading

A Glimpse of the Ride in El Dorado County

FROM: Larry Carpenter, California NPEA
June 15th, 2016 PDT

I rejoined the Ride, or caught up with the Ride in El Dorado County, near Buckeye Road and Mother Lode Drive. It is not easy to keep pace with this Event. Riders are maintaining a speed of 8 to 11 miles an hour, but some don’t know this is a Recreation, and they ride with Passion. The route has been developed over the years to avoid traffic bottlenecks, etc, and the Riders disappear down an access rode or onto a dirt road and reappear down a road ahead of you., Continue Reading

Folsom Report

FROM: Larry Carpenter, California NPEA
June 15th, 2016 PDT

The Folsom Welcome Ceremony began On-Time at the Folsom History Museum, Sutter Street, Folsom. Hosted by the Folsom Historical Society. This began at 2:00 PM on the steps of the Museum with the public, NPEA Members, and the members of the Folsom Historical Society in attendance. Folsom after the first 6 week so Pony Express Operations was the Terminus of the Overland Route of the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company. The mail was then put on the Cars of the Sacramento Railroad for the trip to the, Continue Reading

Pony Re-Ride Departure Ceremony in Old Sacramento

FROM: Larry Carpenter, California NPEA
June 15th, 2016 PDT

The 2016 Pony Express Ride Departure Ceremony in Pony Express Plaza, 2nd and J Streets, Old Sacramento, began On-Time at 9:30 AM. California Division President Elizabeth Davis introduced a series of Speakers who told a group of 50 plus of the National Pony Express Association, the Pony Express, and the role the State Parks Department, and the National Park Service play in preserving Pony Express History and sites and the Trail. The event took place in the shadow of Holland’s Pony Rider Monument across the street from the B.F. Hastings, Continue Reading

Detours on the Trail

FROM: Lori Babbage, California NPEA
June 15th, 2016 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

2015

Larry Carpenter's Report

FROM: Larry Carpenter, Member California Division, and Corresponding Secretary of the NPEA
June 26th, 2015 PDT

Long before the last Rider and Escort arrived at Pony Express Plaza, a growing group of NPEA (California and Nevada Division) members, friends, a dignitaries, and friends of the Pony Express began arriving there in anticipation of the event. Postal Service employees set up the PA system, a tent for the Official Volunteer Cancellation crew (they would Cancel the Postage on the Commemorative Letters) and chairs for Speakers. Members of the Media interviewed NPEA members and got material for news to be written. A security detail from Sacramento Police Department, Continue Reading

Inaugural Year for Live Stream from the HAM communications

FROM: Ron Norton, KJ6XI
June 25th, 2015 PDT

We’ll , we did it again. I would like to thank everyone who took part in providing the communications for the California part of the NPEA 2015 Reride. I think the hams did a professional job. For the first time a live stream was provided on the NPEA website providing instant information as to where the pony was at that time. Once again, Thank you! I know that Pony Express really appreciate the service the Amateur Radio operators provide. Next year the Reride will start in Old Sacramento traveling east, Continue Reading