Facing perils we can only imagine, from St. Joseph, Mo., through Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, until they reached their Sacramento destination, the Pony Express riders of the Central Overland and California Pikes Peak Express Company delivered the mail on horseback for 19 months in 1860-61.
Every year the National Pony Express Association recreates the 1,966-mile ride along what's now the Pony Express National Historic Trail, a non-stop event for 10 days by more than 550 riders.
"If everything goes on schedule, we're due in Genoa at 9:05 a.m., said retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bob Moore, a local chapter rider. "Who knows? Riding 1,900 miles, things happen."
But, Moore, who has participated in the re-ride since 1978, said the riders are usually pretty close to being on time.
By 7 a.m. June 13, the Pony Express rider - according to schedule - had reached the Hollenberg Station in Kansas. By 1 a.m. June 14 a rider was to cross the Colorado/Nebraska state line, enter Wyoming by the afternoon and - changing from Mountain to Pacific time - be in Utah by Saturday afternoon. On Monday, at 1 a.m., a rider is scheduled to enter Nevada via the Overland Pass, and a rider will be in Churchill by 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, and in Carson City by 7:30 a.m. the same day.
Moore will mount his horse at the St. Charles Hotel in Carson City at 7:30 a.m.
"The corner of 3rd and Curry was an original Pony Express Station," said Moore, who will follow the course for 3.7 miles until at approximately 8:10 a.m. he hands off the mochilla filled with commemorative letters to rider, Marv Davis, at Fuji Park.
The schedule can appear complicated.
Davis gallops for 4.8 miles to the Jacks Valley Fire Station, where at about 8:45 a.m. Debi Royer will take over the next 2.9 miles to the Genoa Lakes Golf Resort. Mike Murphy begins his ride into Genoa, 3.6 miles, and will arrive in front of the Genoa Court House Museum at approximately 9:35 a.m. Murphy will hand the mochilla to Carl Malkmus, who will continue along Foothill Road to the entrance to Old Kingsbury Grade, about 3.1 miles. From here Davis takes over again to make the first leg, 5.6 miles, up the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the half-way point. Murphy will ride the other half, about 5.7 miles, to the summit, and Moore will make the 5.1 mile ride to Harrah's Lake Tahoe Resort in Stateline, scheduled to arrive about 12:30 p.m.
The final destination of the riders is Second and J streets in Old Sacramento where at 11 a.m. Thursday a welcome ceremony will begin with the expected 11:30 a.m. arrival of the final rider.
Riders stay in contact through a Sierra Intermountain Emergency Radio Association ham radio hot line so as not to miss being at their station when the mail arrives. The entire schedule and updates are available at www.xphomestation.com/2007-reride.html.
The 10-day ride is the longest equestrian event in the nation. The event commemorates the 147th anniversary of the Pony Express.
Moore said memberships into the National Pony Express Association are open to anybody 14 years old and older. Nationally there are about 800 members, with approximately 120 of them in Nevada, but not all of them ride. Some are "associate members" who contribute by supporting the association.
Moore is borrowing a horse to ride since this year he lost his 29-year-old steed.
"This year, I'm riding a borrowed horse. I had to put my horse down in April. He had cancer," he said.
But, Moore adopted a wild mustang he hopes to ride in next year's event.
"He's too wild now to bring him out in public," he said, laughing.
Education day in Genoa
Festivities begin at the museum at 9 a.m. Saturday, with an education day sponsored by the Douglas County Historical Society and Mormon Station State Historic Park.
The Pony Express rides through the historic town of Genoa on June 20 at approximately 9:30 a.m. with the exchange of riders at the Genoa Court House Museum. This is an education day sponsored by the Douglas County Historical Society and Mormon Station State Historic Park.
Activities related to communication fill the day. There will be a dedication of the Pony Express Room at the museum and talks by Pony Express riders - Don "Snowshoe" Thompson, mailman of the Sierras and "Buffalo Bill Cody." The Norwegian flag will be hoisted during the singing of the Norwegian national anthem. A Guns of the West exhibit will take place at the Mormon Station State Historic Park. Participants will also enjoy free admittance to both the Genoa Court House Museum and Mormon Station for the day and free educational materials will be available. Festivities are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For further information, call 782-2555 or 782-6725.
Historical presentation
Following the Pony Express Re-ride and festivities, Chautauqua in the Park will be presented at the Mormon Station in Genoa both Wednesday and again on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Douglas County Historical Society Young Chautauquans bring historical figures to life. Visitors can bring a picnic and learn about Valley history. Information, 782-4325.
pony express schedule:
Wednesday
-- 7:30 a.m. - Bob Moore from St. Charles Hotel to Fuji Park in Carson City
-- 8:10 a.m. - Marv Davis from Fuji Park to Jacks Valley Fire Station
-- 8:45 a.m. - Debi Royer from Jacks Valley Fire Station to Genoa Lakes Golf Resort
-- 9:05 a.m. - Mike Murphy from Genoa Lakes Golf Resort to Genoa Court House Museum
-- 9:35 a.m. - Carl Malkmus from Genoa Court House Museum to Old Kingsbury Grade
-- 10:05 a.m. - Marv Davis to half-way up Old Kingsbury Grade
-- 10:55 a.m. - Mike Murphy up to summit of Old Kingsbury Grade
-- 11:40 a.m. - Bob Moore from the summit to Stateline, with an anticipated arrival at Harrah's Lake Tahoe Resort at 12:30 p.m.
