Pony Express and Other Attractions

Pony Express National Museum

St. Joseph, Missouri

It operated from April 1860-October 1861 for only 18 months.

The riders changed horses at relay stations every 10-15 miles.

The route from St. Joseph to Sacramento took 10 days for 2000 miles.

The westward expansion needed faster communication between East and West

and the Pony Express became synonymous with the Old West.

The "Starting Gate" 

7:15 PM April 3, 1860

We enjoyed some beautiful sculptors by Ken Payne

 Delivering mail from the East Coast to the West:

• By train from the East Coast to Missouri (St. Jo) took 3 days, then 10 days to Sacramento.
• Steamship from New York, through the Panama to San Francisco took 4 weeks.
• Ships sailed around the Cape Horn to the West Coast took 3 months (minimum).
• Stagecoaches took 22 days to get from St. Louis to San Francisco.
• Pony Express took 10 days from Missouri to California.

    

L & C Interpretative Center

We were treated to a discussion by the builder of this model

Keelboat that was used by Lewis and Clark to carry tons of supplies up the Missouri River.

 

One of 2 smaller boats used by the expedition called a pirogue.

Not a sailboat, but the sail helped alot when conditions were right.

I just liked this model display.

She is so cute ( and reminds me of our Tail Gunner😀)

Missouri River Basin 

 and 

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

The expedition is now heading into Indian Territory (Nebraska and the Dakotas) and have a great many meetings to try to obtain good favor and help as they go up the river.

We get to hear Bruce ( the boat builder) and 

Dave ( the Mountain Man) tell tales of the river and the people back in 1804.

We get a photo-op  to hear the gunshot of a 

Flintlock Kentucky Long Rifle.

and he offers to let Lou hold it

(the one shot has been fired already - lol) and No Lou has not been scalped!

and a Bobcat Headdress??

pretty wild.

or a purse like this??

Omaha Nebraska

Picnic Lunch at the Narrows Missouri Overlook Shelter

We have had lots of good views of trailing along with Lewis and Clark.

Hope you enjoy this with us!