I had the opportunity yesterday to watch the proceedings (and listen to stories and ask questions) while Doug and Holly Hansen put together the several wagons they’d brought from South Dakota. These three, plus one other they’d delivered earlier, will be featured in one of the marathon obstacles. Each will sit inside its own specially constructed “box,” where it can be seen but not crashed into. Which is a good thing, because these are gorgeous wagons.
Let’s start with the ultra-pleasing lines of the Prairie Schooner:
Doug said that this particular vehicle is a bit larger than the typical wagons of its type that would’ve crossed the prairies on the various trails heading westward. Be that as it may, it still seems rather smaller than the wagons most of us have fixed in our minds from history books and movies. In the next photo, the gate to the “box” holding this wagon is being hoisted back into place, and you can get a better sense of its size in relation to the people. Can you imagine packing all your wordly possessions in this and walking across the country??
Next, let’s take a look at this Mud Wagon, which was used on the Fort Pierre-to-Deadwood Trail in South Dakota in the late nineteenth century:
Doug told us a story about just how sturdy this little wagon is. During a 250-mile reenactment drive, it overturned in a river crossing. The tongue broke (and a bit of the canvas top was torn), but the broken tongue was fixed, and the wagon continued on the trail … for another hundred miles! Doug said he’s read plenty of contemporary accounts of Stagecoaches tipping over on the trail, and the occupants being obliged to climb out and help right the wagon before getting back in and on their way.
Next, the fabulous Chuck Wagon, which features an original gear and a rebuilt box:
And, finally, the Freight Wagon, which doesn’t look terribly large but can carry an astounding five tons!
Doug and Holly had to go back to their trailer to get the canvas top for this vehicle (and I had to get back to work), so I’ll have to take (and post) a photo of the completed Freight Wagon later this week. Right now, this wagon is sitting next to an eventing cross-country jump, but it will be moved to join the other (marathon obstacle) wagons on the evening of October 2.
One last look for today, of two of the wagons in their marathon “boxes”:
September 22, 2010 at 5:44 pm
What more do you want: beautiful weather ánd beautiful wagons…
Terrific sight.
September 23, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Lovely wagons to grace the Marathon! I would say our more amateur ponies and horses would probably get an eyeful of the size and be thankful for modern conveyances.