Ear Mail

[Kali]

Did you know there are only two places left in the US that use mules to deliver the Mail? Both are in the Grand Canyon.







They are the small settlement and guest ranch, Phantom Ranch (the place most tourists hike or ride to for an over-night stay) and Supai, a small NA community in the western part of the Canyon, famous for beautiful blue waterfalls. (zip code 86435)


Phantom Ranch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Ranch




Supai http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supai,_Arizona








and a gratuitous shot of my mule, Molly

[lunatica]

1. I hope you're having a great time!!

[Kali]

2. yikes! Major miscommunication!!!

I live in south east AZ and have a mule, have never been to the bottom of GC by mule or foot

just an interesting factoid about mules I found.


other than that I am always trying to have a good time

[lunatica]

7. Oops! I thought that was you talking about your mule Mollie...

[trof]

9. Mules are cule.

Is Molly a 'working' mule?

[Kali]

13. well, she doesn't work very hard

just packs me around a couple times a week (ok that might be considered work, I am no fashion model)

I have had her for just about a year now. My first - very different than a horse! But kind of fun, especially for an old lady who doesn't get in a big hurry much any more. She was part of a pair from the more northern part of the state, but I don't know if they were a pulling team or what. She is a little hard to steer and get going so I am thinking she was, but she doesn't seem to mind the saddle and rider at all.

[rug]

3. Absolutely beautiful!

It's hard to believe anyone lives there, let alone has mail delivery.

[Kali]

5. indeed

rangers full time at Phantom Ranch and over 200 people at Supai. And that doesn't take into account all the visitors staying in both those places or rafting down the river.

No land lines, but paper and pkg mail! delivered by MULES!

[ohiosmith]

4. Cool!

[Kali]

8. actually it is hot down there

Sonoran Desert hot

[ohiosmith]

10. Hot is,.....cool!

[Moondog]

6. There are people who, even now, collect such things

and I know a few here in FL. If they still affix handstamps like that to the cancellations, postcards and envelopes with those specialized cancellations / quasi cancellations on it are highly collectable. If you have friends who are still afflicted with that passion, and live some distance from the Grand Canyon, do them a favor and send them something from the bottom.

[Kali]

15. I live between a small town and a tiny hamlet.

In October the small town has a festival named after the Butterfield Stage line. They do a pony-express run from there to the hamlet - about 20 miles or so, and you can get a piece of mail hand canceled and delivered by horseback on that day.

(it is kind of hokey as the stage line only operated for a couple of years and the Pony Express didn't go this way, but what are facts to a small town trying to attract tourists?)

http://gosw.about.com/b/2007/09/20/pony-express-rides-again-in-arizona-special-postmark-offered-in-benson-on-october-13th.htm

[Moondog]

17. Small towns, like people,

do what they have to do to stay alive. If they're smart.

I live in a touristy area too; I understand completely.

[In_The_Wind]

11. Your mule is beautiful.

That is interesting about the mail.

[Kali]

16. thanks!

she is a real sweetheart.

[trof]

12. River mail

"MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, AL was established at the turn of the century from a Spanish Land Grant of 1880. This charming riverfront village has the distinction of having the only mail delivery water route in the entire United States. The river is spring fed and guaranteed to make you catch your breath when you dive in!"

Magnolia Springs is in coastal Alabama, Baldwin County.
http://www.laciemaynard.com/local-info.asp

[rug]

14. If I tell my kids that they'll never believe me.

[Kali]

18. !

[Ron Obvious]

19. I've hiked down those trails several times...

It's great to get away from the tourists on the rim and experience the canyon completely differently. I recommend it to anyone.

Great pictures!

[Kali]

20. thanks but I must confess I stole all but the last

and she isn't at the Grand Canyon

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. I love this thread. mail and mules and faraway places.

three of my favorite things. just love a mule and their big ole ears.



“My favorite animal is the mule. He has more horse sense than a horse. He knows when to stop eating -- and he knows when to stop working.”

Harry S Truman

[Kali]

22. those ears ALWAYS make me smile

if not break out in real laughter

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. but, of course They do!

funny ole ears.

[Ptah]

24. This thread is an example of what makes DU su

This thread is an example of what makes DU super. hip. cool. right on.

Thanks, Kali.

[Kali]

25. heh