Pony Express Horseback Riding Vacation in Sacramento, California

Gold Rush Days Horseback Riding Vacation in Sacramento, California
Gold Rush Days Horseback Riding Vacation in Sacramento, California

PONY EXPRESS – No Horseback Riding Vacation

Back in the day, we used to have our mail delivered on horseback via the Pony Express. While I wouldn’t call it a horseback riding vacation, the first pony express rider left for St. Joseph, Missouri on April 3, 1860 and arrived ten days later in Sacramento, California on April 13 to a jubilant crowd. The 1,966 mile horseback riding  journey required 200 relay stations, 500 horses and 80 riders.

IRON HORSE REPLACES PONY EXPRESS

The first mail delivery pouch held 80 letters from residents in Sacramento and San Francisco and cost $5 a half-ounce. While the Pony Express was a colorful part of the West’s history, few people realize its short run. The Pony Express mail service delivery was replaced after only 18 months by the telegraph. The Iron Horse, also known as the  railroad, took over mail delivery after the telegraph.

Did you know that mail was delivered in Alaska by dog sled? While it wasn’t a horseback riding vacation, I was in Anchorage, Alaska, March 6, covering the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

No Horseback Riding Vacation for this Pony Express Rider
No Horseback Riding Vacation for this Pony Express Rider

PONY EXPRESS RIDES AGAIN

As Sacramento, California was the western terminus of the Pony Express, Sacramento will celebrate its Pony Express heritage with the June 7th departure of the Pony Express Rider, bound for St. Joseph, Missouri. I have no idea how many horses and riders will be involved during this horseback riding vacation from Sacramento, California to St. Joseph, Missouri.

GOLD RUSH DAYS

Sacramento will celebrate its Pony Express heritage with the June 7 horseback ride, as well as many other activities during Gold Rush Days from September 3-6, 2010. ABCnews.com recently selected Gold Rush Days as one of the “World’s 10 Most Amazing Events” according to “Frommer’s 300 Unmissable Events and Festivals around the World.” If you have a chance, the Visitors Center in Old Sacramento features an exhibit with historic Pony Express memorabilia on display.

IF YOU GO:

Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau 1 (916) 808-7777

 

2 thoughts on “Pony Express Horseback Riding Vacation in Sacramento, California”

  1. I’m a huge fan of events like this but I do I find it fascinating that we have such a nostalgia for the Pony Express’ place in our history that we still celebrate it, whereas so many other areas of our past that have been lost to progress are all but forgotten. Ask any young child about the Pony Express and chances are good that they’ll know all about it, but ask them about something like punch cards or party lines and they’ll stare at you blankly. Not that I’m old enough to know about those things either mind you.

  2. I had no idea the Pony Express only lasted for 18 months. As Trisha said, it’s so famous, you would think it would have been there a long time.
    Sounds like a great event to go to. Always good to look back and think of how things were before.

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