Nikki Tate’s Great Pony Express Adventure 2002

Canadian Children's Author Re-Rides History

Winnemucca, NV--Canadian children’s author Nikki Tate visited Winnemucca, NV Wednesday, the namesake of the Indian maiden Sara Winnemucca, whose true story figures in a part of Nikki’s new book, Jo’s Triumph (Orca Book Publishers). Nikki spoke to students at Eleanor Lemaire Elementary school about the events that inspired her book, which is based on the Pony Express. Local media again turned out to capture the excitement of the students as Nikki rode up to their school outfitted in her red shirt and yellow bandanna astride her pony who was carrying the mochila filled with books.

As Nikki travels through Nevada telling her stories, she is also hearing the stories of the many people who come to see her. Wednesday was no exception. "White Buffalo, decked out in military garb and covered with American flags, made a point of visiting and talking with Nikki at the local library where Nikki was catching up on some writing. A representative of the Vietnam Veterans of America, human rights activist and missionary, he told Nikki about the travels and work that have landed him temporarily in Winnemucca. The meeting resulted in her exchanging her traditional Pony Express yellow bandanna for his, displaying the American flag motif.

Patriotism was much in evidence in the community on the anniversary of last year’s terrible events in New York City. Ceremonies at a beautiful downtown park drew a display of the town’s fire, police and military personnel.

Day Six of Nikki’s Pony Express Adventure ended with a sunset ride to the remains of the Pony Express Station at the base of the eerily beautiful Sand Mountain, a 600 foot high sand dune captured by the mountain range. Though the walls are crumbled, the layout of the Station, including the stable for the ponies, can be seen clearly. With Nikki riding nearby, it was not difficult to envision the events of 1860.

Nikki’s adventure continues Friday and into the weekend in the Dayton and Virginia City areas where she will be again be riding the Trail and meeting students at various schools. Delivering letters from Canadian school children to children in Nevada, her adventures will culminate at the Great Basin Book Fair in Reno on September 21.

Follow Nikki Tate's Pony Express Adventure on her website at www.stablemates.net.

PONY EXPRESS 2002 SPONSORS:

Bolen Books (Victoria, BC) Clearsilver Media (Victoria, BC) Horse Council BC (Aldergrove, BC) Leisure Time Rentals (Victoria, BC) Orca Book Publishers (Victoria, BC) Scrapbook Parade (Victoria, BC) Sono Nis Press (Winlaw, BC) Theatre Row Auto Sales (Victoria, BC) Karl Schutz (Chemainus, BC)

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