History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride

Image
  • History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
    History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
  • History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
    History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
  • History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
    History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
  • History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
    History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
  • History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
    History comes alive with Pony Express Re-Ride
Body

A family tradition with historic roots continued last week with the annual re-ride effort coordinated by the National Pony Express Association. Back in the 1960’s, Deb Hill, of Washington, said her father, Ralph Payne, participated in a similar effort along a portion of the Pony Express Trail for its 100-year anniversary. Deb has been participating in the official event for the last nine years. Over 10 days in June, over 750 riders transport a leather mochila along roads near the original trail. The 1,966 mile, eight state event, is conducted 24 hours a day until the mail is delivered to its destination. The event started last week Monday, departing from St. Joseph, Mo. Mandi Hill, top left, rode to an exchange point east of Steele City, Neb., where her husband Richie helped move the mochila, top right, which contained letters to be delivered to Old Sacramento, Calif., this coming Thursday. Each rider in the re-ride signs the mochila, below left. Deb Hill, of Washington, then took off on a gallop going north, below right. She headed north on Highway 103 in Nebraska, bottom, with old grasses and modern windmills as the new landscape framing this old tradition. Photos by DAN & JEN THALMANN / WCN