Posted on 06/14/2006 8:04:41 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Back in the saddle again The Pony Express returns to Wyoming
By Becky Orr rep6@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
When Stanley Bean led Apache into a gallop, the pair came close to making the 21st century disappear.
Cars and the semi-trailers that sped past them on U.S. Highway 26 near Torrington took a back seat to the rhythmic thud when Apache's hooves sank into the damp grass alongside the road.
Bean, 59, has worked in ranching for 40 years. He lives in Riverton and was one of the riders in this year's Pony Express re-ride.
On a hazy Tuesday morning the ride concluded its trek through Wyoming which began Sunday.
"I just enjoy going across the prairie," Bean said.
The National Pony Express Association sponsors the annual re-ride. It is designed to call attention to the original Pony Express, which operated in 1860 and 1861.
"It's to keep the West alive," Bean said of the reason for the ride.
And it's more than that to many people.
The original venture was a solitary one as riders traveled upwards of 100 miles across dangerous and lonely terrain.
But the ride through Wyoming is a tribute to friendship and tradition among those who have taken part for years and years.
The ride gives a chance for old friends to catch up. And it lets them carry on what is a longstanding family tradition for some.
About 125 riders took part in the ride through nearly 500 miles across Wyoming. It concluded Tuesday morning at the Nebraska state line east of Torrington.
The overall ride continues as the Wyoming contingent hands it over to Nebraska riders.
The re-enactment goes 24 hours a day for 10 days as it traces as much as possible the original Pony Express route from Sacramento, Calif. to St. Joseph, Mo. It should end on June 16 in St. Joseph after 1,966 miles.
Men and women from Wyoming rode nonstop to get across the state. Parts of the trail were off the beaten track.
With his long mustache, big cowboy hat, work-worn hands and chaps, Bean looks like he belongs in the dictionary under the definition of cowboy.
"The 1800s, that's where I live," he said, and as he laughed the corners of his eyes crinkled. "That's the lifestyle I enjoy living. Going out and staying in the mountains with my cows. It's a great life."
He was part of the riders who rode into Torrington around 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Four or five pickups that pulled horse trailers stayed close to each rider. The riders took turns riding for about 1 mile or 1« miles before they switched.
When they changed off, they quickly removed a special saddle bag or knapsack called a mochila from one horse and strapped it onto a fresh one.
The mochila is a replica of the saddle bag that the original Pony Express riders used. The riders safely stowed the mail in the mochila.
Modern-day riders bore similarities to their predecessors in that they carried mail as well. They stood out with the deep red shirts and golden neckerchiefs they wore. And they shared a love of horses.
Many also brought in the 21st century in the form of sunglasses and cell phones.
The annual ride is a long-time family tradition for Zach Bennett of Wheatland. He took part with his mom and dad, Karen and Roy Bennett, and his uncle, Richard Mickelsen. They also live near Wheatland.
Zach's late grandfather Einer Mickelson started the family tradition, Karen Bennett said. Mickelson rode in the event for nearly 20 years, she added.
Zach has been involved with the ride since he was in diapers.
"He's been going to the Pony Express since he was born," Karen Bennett said. "For 23 years."
Zach has ridden in the event for nine years with his horse, Pistol.
He has made the ride in numerous conditions, including times when it rained so hard he got drenched, he said.
Zach and his horse rode during the night this trip. They passed through Windover around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, riding in the moonlight.
That can be scary at times, he said.
"But your horse can see better than you can," he said. "Your horse can do his thing and you just kind of hang on. Nothing really bothers him.
"I think it's pretty awesome to relive it."
Zach said he doubts that he would have wanted to have been a Pony Express rider back then.
"You had to be an orphan," he said. "They preferred orphans so that if you got hurt along the trail or killed, they didn't have to find your parents and tell them. You were supposed to be a skinny, 18-year-old orphan."
Otherwise, he said he wouldn't have minded it.
"I love the horses and the Old West," he added.
For the original Pony Express, riders got Bibles, Zach said.
"If they die along the way, they've got a Bible with them," he added.
The officials in the modern-day ride also issued small Bibles to the riders as part of the commemorative event. The riders get the Bibles stamped at every ride to serve as a record of their achievement.
"It's just our way of keeping our history alive," Karen Bennett said. "It's fun."
It's interesting how short a time most of the "Old West" lasted.
The Pony Express was around only a year and a half.
The open range era was only about 20 years, with its heyday quite a bit shorter.
I can understand that.
With his long mustache, big cowboy hat, work-worn hands and chaps, Bean looks like he belongs in the dictionary under the definition of cowboy.
As a retired reporter - I hate when stories like this are printed sans photos.
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