Thursday, November 8, 2012

Borax 20 Mule Team

While the 20 Mule Team ran just six years, from 1883 to 1889, much like the short history of the Pony Express... they left quite a mark in our storied past. The 20 Mule Team delivered over 36 tons of refined borax to the rail station at Mojove...165 miles and 10 days away.
This link provides a personal account of being a "teamster" on the
  20 mule team.


         The "20 Mule team is actually 18 mules and two draft horses.


It takes a while for the crew to harness all the animals.


Donna and our sister-in-law Dayle, wait for the "replica" mule team to ride by. This is the first time in 13 years the 20 mule team gave a full demonstration in Death Valley for the 49'er Days.


Here the team was demonstrating "jumping the chain" which they really needed to do just to get around the sharp corner.


You get a perspective of size with Donna standing next to the 
seven foot wheel.


This is a bit heavier than I first thought.


Bobby Tanner Jr from Bishop, California, along with his aging father Bob Tanner are two of a very small group that can expertly handle a large group of mules with a "single-jerk" line.
   




Donna and Dayle are waving good-bye and hoping to see 
the team again in the not too distant future.


This wagon train at the Harmony Works in Death Valley is the "only"  train in existence that made the 165 mile trip in the late 1900's. All the other show trains were based in Boron and made much short trips. I realize Death Valley is a dry climate but your'd think that something with this much historical value would at the very least have a cover?







1 comment:

Teri said...

Well done... thanks for all the info. Love seeing where you are, where you've been, what you've seen and your pics!