Greetings,
May 27, 2011 – Between Hanover Kansas and Alexandria Nebraska – The Pony Express trail left Kansas today. The trail today passed by both the Hollenberg and Rock Creek stations. Both stations were Pony Express stations as well as wagon stations along the Oregon Trail. Like the modern truck stops, the Oregon Trail stations served the needs of the travelers on the Overland Highway of the mid-1800s. Since I am only riding 25 to 30 mile days, we took some time to explore the Rock Creek station.
The Oregon Trail is a long road from St Joseph to Oregon. The trail passes through Boise, perhaps close to my house just off Overland Road, and continues on to the Willamette Valley, crossing the Sandy River near Max Merlich's home. It is difficult to imagine those pioneer families averaging fifteen miles or so a day and making the journey all the way to Oregon. Today, we are in Nebraska, 200 miles from our start on the bank of the Missouri River. Horse travel may seem slow, but in four days, we have come 200 miles. We have passed by many Oregon Trail monuments. We have seen the swales and marks on the land left by the Oregon Trail pioneers.
Whiskey stepped out for another day on the trail and he walked and trotted for nearly 30 miles. The first week is nearly done and I am already hearing stories about horses that are foot-sore and back-sore. I am satisfied with my plan to ride half-days for the first few weeks or so in Kansas and Nebraska. The half days allow me to become familiar with the trail as well as allow the horses time to build their strength. Also, the half days allow the time to explore some of the historic sites along the way.
Tonight we are camped on the short road leading to an abandoned Nebraska farm that appears to have been the home of two brothers who were farmers. There are clothes and other belongings scattered about the abandoned home. It appears as if the home was last occupied about four years ago. Some of the others are camped along the nearby county roads or in a wet farm field. We have been riding along an early railroad of 1870s, which later became the Rock Island rail line which is now a part of the Union Pacific system. The trail whistles sound at every road crossing and we hear the trains throughout the day and at night as well.
Best Regards,
Tom N
May 27, 2011 – Between Hanover Kansas and Alexandria Nebraska – The Pony Express trail left Kansas today. The trail today passed by both the Hollenberg and Rock Creek stations. Both stations were Pony Express stations as well as wagon stations along the Oregon Trail. Like the modern truck stops, the Oregon Trail stations served the needs of the travelers on the Overland Highway of the mid-1800s. Since I am only riding 25 to 30 mile days, we took some time to explore the Rock Creek station.
The Oregon Trail is a long road from St Joseph to Oregon. The trail passes through Boise, perhaps close to my house just off Overland Road, and continues on to the Willamette Valley, crossing the Sandy River near Max Merlich's home. It is difficult to imagine those pioneer families averaging fifteen miles or so a day and making the journey all the way to Oregon. Today, we are in Nebraska, 200 miles from our start on the bank of the Missouri River. Horse travel may seem slow, but in four days, we have come 200 miles. We have passed by many Oregon Trail monuments. We have seen the swales and marks on the land left by the Oregon Trail pioneers.
Whiskey stepped out for another day on the trail and he walked and trotted for nearly 30 miles. The first week is nearly done and I am already hearing stories about horses that are foot-sore and back-sore. I am satisfied with my plan to ride half-days for the first few weeks or so in Kansas and Nebraska. The half days allow me to become familiar with the trail as well as allow the horses time to build their strength. Also, the half days allow the time to explore some of the historic sites along the way.
Tonight we are camped on the short road leading to an abandoned Nebraska farm that appears to have been the home of two brothers who were farmers. There are clothes and other belongings scattered about the abandoned home. It appears as if the home was last occupied about four years ago. Some of the others are camped along the nearby county roads or in a wet farm field. We have been riding along an early railroad of 1870s, which later became the Rock Island rail line which is now a part of the Union Pacific system. The trail whistles sound at every road crossing and we hear the trains throughout the day and at night as well.
Best Regards,
Tom N
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