The tradition of recreating the old-fashioned mail run continued last week when the Clear Creek Cowboys completed their fourth annual ride from Holbrook to Winslow. In addition to carrying the mailbags, they also demonstrated their continued dedication to local education by presenting a $3,000 check to the Winslow Unified School District.
The group also took the time to visit local elementary schools, where they spoke to students about life as a cowboy and the heritage of the Wild West. During these visits, children wrote postcards that would later be delivered by pony express, allowing them to experience firsthand the excitement of sending mail in a way that harkens back to Arizona’s territorial days. Along with the schools, community members also participated by purchasing postcards or letters to be carried by the riders.
On Thursday, the cowboys rode into Winslow to greet the young students and share stories of the saddle. They had planned a swearing-in ceremony for the post office and a lively demonstration to show how the mailbags would be handed off from one rider to another across the desert. However, the windy, rainy, and cold conditions proved less than ideal for an outdoor showcase. In the interest of safety, and to keep the children out of the inclement weather, the demonstration was moved to the local chamber of commerce and the swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Winslow Mayor Birdie Cano.
Riders on this year’s journey included Tim Kelley, Enrique Pacheco, Mica Diaz, Alejandro Pacheco, David Ramos, Jason Harris, Tammy Gray, JR Perez and Juan Pacheco. From historic saddlebags to weathered cowboy hats, these riders carried the legacy of the old west throughout their travels, reminding observers of the grit and determination it took to connect communities in earlier times.
By the time they arrived in Winslow, the horses and riders had become a spectacle for residents and unsuspecting visitors of Winslow who were lucky enough to be there at the right time. Braving uncooperative weather and slippery streets did little to dampen their spirits. The warmth of the community and the excitement of the schoolchildren made the adventure worthwhile, ensuring that the memory of Arizona’s territorial past will live on long after the horses have returned to the stable.
