Friday, August 30, 2013

history of the pony express.

After having our mail delivered by Pony Express on our wagon train adventure I was interested in finding out more information about the original Pony Express.

The Pony Express was a mail service delivering mail from St. Joesph, Missouri across the great Plains, over the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada to Sacramento, California by horseback, using a series of relay stations.

Do you know how long the Pony Express was in operation?

It was only in operation for 18 months!

During that 18 months it did reduce the time for messages to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to about 10 days. It started operation on April 3, 1860 and it became the wests most direct means of east-west communication before the telegraph was established. It was also vital for tying the new state of California with the rest of the country.

Do you know what the mail pouch was called?

The mail pouch was called a mochila! Mochila is Spanish for pouch of backpack. The mochila was thrown over the saddle and held in place by the rider sitting on it. Each corner had a pocket and bundles of mail were placed in each pocket and padlocked for safety.
Image from: postalmuseum.si.edu


There were 184 Pony Express stations along the approximately 1,900 mile route. Stations were about 10 miles apart along the route. Ten miles was roughly the distance a horse could travel at a gallop before tiring. At each station the rider would change to a fresh horse, taking only his mail pouch with him. Each rider rode about 75 miles per day.
Image from: articles.latimes.com

Some of the postmarks found on surviving Pony Express mail. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a piece of mail stamped from the actual Pony Express?
Image from: wikipedia.com


The Pony Express route has been designated the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Approximately 120 historic sites along the trail may eventually to the public, including 50 station or station ruins.



p.s. Did you know that the USPS has trademarked "Pony Express" along with "Air Mail"?

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

teton wagon train pony express.

Last week my husband and I went on a covered wagon and horse adventure with one of my best friends and her husband. It was an amazing week! On the very last day of the adventure the Pony Express came riding through camp and delivered us all mail. I was so excited! 
Here he is delivering the mail bag! After he threw the bag, he hopped off of the horse and onto a new horse and took off.

Once we were all around the camp site they did a mail call and delivered all of the mail! I had written a letter to Zach as well as Amanda and Jason so they would get mail too. I had given the address out to a few of my friends and family, but boy was I surprised at the amount of mail that Zach and I received! My mom had given out the address to a ton of people, so we had a huge stack of letters delivered to us by Pony Express!
Here is the stack of mail that Zach and I received! It was so great sitting around and reading all the letters!
And to top it all off, each letter was hand stamped with the Teton Wagon Train Pony Express Stamp! Love!


p.s. Interested in going on a covered wagon and horse adventure? Check out Teton Wagon Train & Horse Adventure! You will not be disappointed!

p.p.s. I will do a blog post soon on the history of the Pony Express!


Sunday, August 18, 2013

greetings from the grand tetons.

Hey ya'll! I am on a Covered Wagon Train Adventure in the Grand Teton mountains for the next week! I can not wait to come back and share some of my pictures with you!

Image from: lib.colostate.edu


p.s. During our adventure, the pony express comes and delivers mail!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

stuff in envelopes. part 2.

Yesterday I received my letter from Stuff in Envelopes!
I was excited to check my mailbox and find the letter I had requested. I chose to receive a letter on "mail art" and I got a great letter about the writer's house plants and lovely pictures of each one included! It was a fun and quirky letter that made me smile!

If you want a random letter on whatever topic you choose check out Stuff in Envelopes!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

received with love.

I received a great little package from my friend Mary! She used to live here in VA but has moved to CO in the past year, so we have become great new pen pals.
The box had some fun goodies from Colorado! Hot Sauce, Jam, Candies, etc. She also threw in a cute button that says "Take me to Paris!" and some Paris stationery!

p.s. Thanks Mary!!

Monday, August 5, 2013

peace messenger.

I found these adorable Mayan Peace Messengers at World Market not to long ago and thought they were the perfect little gift to send my pen pals!
There are many moments in life when a Mayan Peace Messenger can help! Write a note to your loved ones, send thoughts to a friend, or keep the peace at work with these 100% handsculpted doves.

I have mine ready to sit on my desk once I get it all set up and ready. I think it will be a good little reminder to always take a small break and write letters!

Friday, August 2, 2013

received with love.

My friend Yuko sent me the greatest package all the way from Japan!
Look at all those goodies!

A close up of all the cat stickers and cat post it tabs! She knows my love for cats and stationery!

She also sent me all of these awesome decorative tapes! They roll on like scrapbook glue and put cute little designs on your paper! 

p.s. I will do a blog post soon showing all of the decorative tapes! Thank you again Yuko!