Ride that Pony, Ride!

I absolutely love the history of the Panhandle of Nebraska. This metal silhouette of a pony express rider is located between Chimney Rock and Bridgeport along HWY 92. Dan the Man and I were on our way to Bridgeport for a informational meeting concerning networking with other growers and producers; learning about an on-line Wyoming Food Cooperative; and other stuff that is right up our alley. The meeting took place the end of February. It was a beautiful day for a drive. A drive that I think many take for granted. There is so much beauty here on the prairie, but one has to have an open mind and an active imagination also comes in handy.

Did you know?

• The fastest Pony Express trip was 7 days and 17 hours. The trip delivered President Lincoln’s inaugural address from St. Joseph to Sacramento.
  
• Early Western legends Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok were Pony Express riders.
  
• About 400 horses were used during for the Pony Express. Among the breeds were Morgans, pintos and mustangs.
  
• Riders were paid $100 to $125 per month. The prevailing wage for at the time for unskilled labor was about $1 per day.

For a link to a page that will allow to enlarge this photo of the pony express route, click here. When you are done with that page and want to return to the blog, just hit your browser's back button.

Guess you could say we've come a long way with our email and tweets! Makes you wonder what communications will be like in another hundred years!