In today's post we are sharing an excerpt from our "2015 Journal Following the Nevada Pony Express". We have an Ebook in the works to be published soon. 

In 2015, the plan was to visit Pony Express Stations along Highway 50 in the State of Nevada... We have since added California and Utah! I hope you enjoy reading this tid bit of part of our day two years ago. 

________________________________________________________

~ October 16, 2015 ~

... It was overcast and 60*, quiet and calm with just a breeze blowing through the Cottonwood trees… it had been a great visit at the Fort Churchill campgrounds. I enjoyed my coffee, fed Rider and started getting things situated in the trailer to hit the road. I took a look at my maps to plan my day while eating my banana and a few Vanilla Wafers for breakfast. After finishing the cleanup of our camp site and hooking up the trailer, (in one shot I may add!) we were off to Buckland’s Station.

[Historical Note: Samuel Buckland signed a contract with the California Central Overland Pikes Peak Express (Known as the Pony Express) to be a relay Station for it’s operations. A short few months later the Pyramid/Paiute War began and the Army built Fort Churchill near by. It was needed in order to protect the XP Riders and the California Emigrant Trail. The Pony Station was moved to the Fort’s Headquarters building.]

    At this historical site today, stands a two Story House that was once used for the Stage Coach stop, a Hotel and a Trading post. Across the Street are a few buildings, barns and some corrals, all located behind a large parking area near the road. Which facilities were used for the Pony, I am not sure, if any. Some research states none of them. Regardless, I captured lots of photos of the old buildings and barns! Also, for you tractor buffs out there, there were many in the pasture next to the barn closest to the highway. The sign said that the locals put them there on loan for the site to display many of the different types of farm tools used over the last 150 years.

Horse DrawnHorse Drawn implement at Buckland's Station.

    There is a nice park next to the parking lot with large trees, barbeques, a few tables and more farm art. The trees were already showing their Fall spirit by beaming with beautiful colors of yellow and orange… in the midst there were a few old fence posts and a hay rake under one of them. I managed to capture a photo and one of them had Rider under it… well, more like he “photo bombed” my shot!  Funny boy! I then decided to turn my camera on him… on purpose… I captured him with a stick in his mouth while laying in the beautiful fall leaves and looking at me. It was a puppy cuteness overload photo!

  2015 Bucklands - RiderRider poses with a stick in his mouth while lying in beautiful fall leaves. We were visiting the Buckland's Station Park.

    We walked back to the parking lot and I picked Rider up for us to take a selfie with my phone to share later on social media. We were in front of one of the leaning buildings by the gate. I have to admit, it was difficult to stop taking photos here, as I have a strong love for old barns and the like!

    While opening the door to my truck to load Rider…I heard one of the strangest things… it sounded like there were horses running and one whinnying… I looked from toward the area I heard it, but there were no horses, anywhere I could see…It gave me chills… my mind immediately thought of a Pony Express Rider running in for his next mount! It was truly strange, and regardless of what it was, it was a blessing for me to have that feeling even if it was for only a few moments… to have the feeling as if I was back in time and seeing it… feeling it… live! I thanked God for the experience and got into my truck and we headed out...

________________________________________________________________________________________

...Stay tuned for the Ebook! Thank you for "Riding Shot Gun in Spirit" my friends!