Joe goes along an a few days of the 2018 Deadwood Wagon Train. This is the 6th ride of this name. It is sponsored by the Days of 76 Museum in Deadwood, South Dakota.
The 2018 ride started in Buckhorn, Wyoming to Deadwood, South Dakota. The trail follows along some of the original Cheyenne to Deadwood stage route and part of the Custer Expedition of 1874.
In this episode we talk to the "crew", those working behind the scenes who planned and executed a successful event.
First we talk to Alan Loken - organizer as we watch the wagon train pull into the campsite for the night. He discusses the daily schedule:
5-6:00am - awaken and prep. Move support vehicles to the next night's campsite and bus the people back.
9-10:00 am - start the ride
11:00am - first stop about 3 miles on the trail with port-o-potties provided by organizers
Lunch stop - riders provide own lunches
3-4:00pm - arrive at campground. Dinner is catered each night.
We see footage of all the horses at leisure, tied up at their campsites.
Joe interviews Bruce Brock of Black Fox Ranch in the Black Hills or SD. He wons a 125 acre ranch where the wagon train camped one night.
We listen to live music by Buffalo Grass of Rapids City, SD as we watch footage of the horse drawn wagons and outriders.
Alan presents awards for the Best Team, Best Wagon, Best male and female Outrider.
Joe interviews another night's host and hostess - Dan and Joyce Carsten of Carsten Cottages.
They describe their business and how much they enjoy hosting travelers from all over the world. This is their second time hosting the Wagon Train. They catered the evening meal.