Nikki Tate’s Great Pony Express Adventure 2002

Canadian Author Travels Loneliest Road In America

Canadian children’s author Nikki Tate started off the first full week of her Pony Express Adventure by travelling along Nevada’s Hwy. 50, known as the “The Loneliest Road in America,” which runs approximately parallel to the historical Pony Express Trail. Along the way she visited students in the small communities of Eureka and Austin, both mining communities.

For Nikki’s presentation in Eureka, the entire elementary school population of 109 students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6 gathered to see her trot up to the school in her Pony Express uniform, with the mochila (mail bags) filled with her books and other interesting objects. The incisive questions from even the youngest students demonstrated the wide appeal of Nikki’s latest book, Jo’s Triumph (Orca Book Publishers), which is based on the Pony Express. Many of the questions were also directed to Nikki’s 15-year-old daughter, Dani, who is an accomplished writer in her own right.

Taking advantage of one of the less busy days in her 15-day tour, Nikki and her support crew had the good fortune to meet local historian and arts enthusiast Wally Cucchine, who gave them a personal tour of the town’s Opera House, Courtroom and Museum.

Nikki’s visit to Austin also took in the entire elementary school – 25 students - where she brought to life the historical events that occurred very close to their community.

“There’s nothing quite like visiting a tiny school where they probably have never seen an author before” said Nikki. “Their eyes just lit up when I talked about their history. If my visit gets them excited about writing their own stories, how wonderful.”

A diversion north of the Trail to take in the community of Battle Mountain garnered Nikki’s largest school audience to date at the Eleanor Lemaire School. Her presentation was especially timely to the Grade Four students in the audience whose curriculum this year includes the history of Nevada.

Nikki rides the Pony Express Trail again Wednesday between Cold Springs and Sand Springs after a visit to Winnemucca. Her adventures in Nevada 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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