02/05/10

Introduction

The 49er encampment in Death valley is held every year to commemorate the first pioneers who traveled west with their families in search of the ever elusive gold.  Many of them were not drawn by an overwhelming desire to farm and settle the country but to get to the gold fields of California by the fastest route possible.  It is written that many of them had intentions in the beginning to return to their home state and buy the farms they could not otherwise afford. 

In making this journey they proved time and again the indomitable spirit that is present in all of us.  They set out with a goal and, God willing, would accomplish that goal.  There is no way that those of us living today can actually experience the emotional and physical trials the pioneers had on this journey.  For just a minute consider this scenario: The husband walks into a little farm house in Illinois and says "Honey, pack up our kids and whatever else you can't live without.  We are going to make our fortune in the California gold fields."  How many of us today could even comprehend such a move?  There were no cars, trucks, trailers or moving companies.  You had the few treasures your family had accumulated since emigrating from their homeland.  Your children were not grown but growing and still vulnerable to childhood diseases that could threaten their lives.  maybe the husband had never driven a wagon and team and knew nothing about the care and maintenance of either.  Again, imagine yourself sitting in the middle of the desert where you have no idea where there is a town or even a homestead.  In the covered wagon, which is your only protection from the elements, you have a spouse who is ill.  There is no cell phone, car or doctor for hundreds of miles.  It's impossible for us to empathize with what their emotions might have been.  They were so close to the situation they did not realize that in future generations they would be hailed as heroes, as brave pioneers who settled our wonderful land.  they very often just endured and overcame.  Every year since 1967 the Equestrian Trails Corral 14 Western Wagons have traveled the same trail of these pioneers.  We do it as a reminder that we are so fortunate to have had such brave and, yes sometimes greedy people, as our ancestors.  They overcame every obstacle and did it without even considering that the future generations would look at what they did and call it impossible. 

Our "modern" wagon train is just that.  We have comforts such as support trucks, generators, better wagons, food that has been developed to fly to outer space.  But in our hearts we sit by a campfire or look out over the desert landscape and try to imagine.  We try to understand their hopes and fears, celebrate their victory over the elements and the odds that they would make it to their destination.  This is why we do this wagon train every year. 

We welcome you to take part in our wagon train adventures. 

Wagon Master Norm Noftsier

Our Story

Corral 14, once called the Shetland Pony Club of Antelope Valley, was started in the 1960's by a group of folks from the high desert Community of Antelope Valley in southern California.  Some of them had owned and enjoyed horses when they were younger but now felt they could still have the same fun with ponies.  The ponies would be less work and safer to handle for the retirees. 

The "ponies only" rule was changed in the mid 1980's to accommodate more club members.  The Shetland Club's name was then changed to "Corral 14-Western Wagons".  Many more people would now enjoy the Death Valley drive with their horses and mules. 

Each November our Corral 14 wagon train travels from Wade Monument to Furnace Creek in Death Valley.  We stop along the way at Saratoga Springs, Ashford Junction, Salt Tanks, Tule Springs, and Desolation Canyon.