Pony Express Rides Again!

Still on the subject of “living history”, yesterday saw the start of one of the most ambitious historical reenactments in the USA: the annual “re-ride” of the entire Pony Express trail, between St. Joseph Missouri and Sacramento California. Teams of riders, horses and support crews are tracing the entire 1,966-mile route, riding around the clock just as they did in the early 1860s, when the Pony Express had its brief but fabled heyday. While the riders themselves pass through at a very quick pace, there are numerous activities all along the route, so if you’re interested and in the area, join in the fun and help celebrate an American legend.

Today (June 12th), the riders will be passing through North Platte, Nebraska, the home of Buffalo Bill, perhaps the most famous of all the Pony Express riders.

On Friday June 14th, the re-ride will pass through the fascinating stretch through Glenrock and Casper, Wyoming – home of the Bureau of Land Management's National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.

And next week, June 19-20th, the route follows the longest, wildest and loneliest stretch – across the Great Basin deserts of Utah and Nevada, right alongside the famous “Loneliest Road in America,” US-50.

After this, the riders skirt the alpine gambling dens of South Lake Tahoe, then race down the Sierra Nevada to Sacramento, where the riders are expected to reach “Old Sacramento” at 11:30am on June 21st.

To follow the progress, check out the official National Pony Express Association website.