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2011
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Topics Covered On This Page To move quickly between this list and the topics, after clicking a topic, and reading it, just click your browsers back button to return to this list. [What is the mailing address?] [Do you have a phone number for more info?] [How do we get on your mailing list?] [ What is the Alabama Wagon train ? ] [ Why is this train different ? ] [ How do I move my truck & trailer up everyday? ] [ What about food? ]
Alabama Wagon Train Headquarters Do you have a phone number for more info? Yes we do........... Donald (256) 593-9488 * Ronnie (256) 634-4853 How do we get on your mailing list? You can send your address to us here at the website. We will mail out your info packet ASAP...(usually in Dec. or Jan.) What is the Alabama Wagon Train? Well,
to start with, our wagon train goes somewhere, there is a destination. In our
case, the destination is 100 miles away and we have 6 days to get there. We have
all been on a trail ride, some lasting several days. Usually these rides leave
in the morning from a campsite and return to the same camp at night. Starting on
Saturday morning when we break camp, we are on the move. Wagons, riders and
everything moves miles down the road, camp is made, livestock cared for, meals
made, sleep, get up, gear up, eat, get on the road for another adventure. We
also have to move trucks, trailers, water trucks, port-a-potties, and a lot of
support gear. We can't ease back into camp with a thrown shoe, so the farrier
comes along. It's a lot of work, a lot of fun, a real, new adventure everyday,
with new places to see, and new friends to be made. Preparations begin months in
advance for all participants, people, and livestock must be in shape for a 100
mile ride. All gear must be in top condition with spare pieces-parts carried
along. Service stations that carry harness and gear for mule drawn wagons are
hard to find! Want to find out more? Why is the Alabama Wagon Train different? Why ride with this wagon train? Well, we’re glad you asked. We have all been on a trail ride, some lasting several days. Usually these rides leave in the morning from a campsite and return to the same camp at night. The Alabama Wagon Train is one of the largest moving wagon trains in the United States of America. We have been told that we are the second largest. So right there, are two reasons to come join us. 1) We are one of the largest wagon trains in the US. 2) We are one of a few moving wagon trains. A Moving wagon train? Yes, just like the settlers as they moved South and West, they had a destination in mind, and only enough supplies for a certain amount of time. At the end of that time, they needed to be at their destination. We break camp and move toward our destination every day and we have a time frame to get to our trail’s end, 6 days. Starting on Saturday morning when we break camp, we are on the move. Wagons, riders and everything moves miles down the road, camp is made, livestock cared for, meals made, sleep, get up, gear up, eat, get on the road for another adventure. We also have to move trucks, trailers, water trucks, port-a-potties, and a lot of support gear. We can't ease back into camp with a thrown shoe, so the farrier comes along, as does a nurse. We travel 100 miles in those 6 days, traveling about 20 miles a day, (with a few long days and a few short), through several counties of Alabama, we will travel on varied terrain, roads and trails. It's a lot of work, a lot of fun, a real, new adventure everyday, with new places to see, and new friends to be made. Preparations begin months in advance for all participants, because people and livestock must be in top shape for a 100 mile ride. All gear must be in top condition with spare pieces-parts carried along. Services stations that carry harness and gear for mule drawn wagons are hard to find! Let us explain it in more detail. On March 5th, 2011, the 31st Annual Alabama Wagon Train will depart just outside Talladega, Alabama. For six consecutive days, you and hundreds like you will write an unforgettable chapter in your own book of experiences. Some of you will title the chapter, "the Greatest Experience of My Life"… while others will say "Too Tough". Both will be correct for you see…this is a Wagon Train and NOT a Trail Ride. We have 6-days to move riders and teamsters, (wagons and driving teams), alike through several counties, more than 100 miles, through different terrain and changing weather. Make a new camp daily, move all equipment, vehicles and equipment daily…and yeah…arrive at trails end on March 10th in Montgomery, Alabama for the 54th Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition. It is a National Event! That’s another reason to join us. Some of our Wagon Trainers will travel 1500 miles to ride with us, some will come from next door. Regardless of where you make your home when the train is over you will have made some new friends that will last for years to come. Once you have signed on the train, you may ride a day, rest, and rejoin at a later camp…some ride every day…and some of you will even ride a few days, go home and return for the climax and Trails End. Fine, feel free to ride as much or as little as you want. The main thing is for you to enjoy yourself and take care of your horse or team. Safety is our first priority, for mounts, teams and riders. We encourage you not to try and ride the entire 6 days. Ride or drive the miles and days that you and your livestock can do safely. You are welcome to join the train on any day, at any point. Regardless of how many days you ride, You MUST come to the Headquarters rig, sign the proper papers and be issued an arm band. Arm bands are checked and are required for all riders. Who's in charge & where are they? Headquarters Rig: Manned to Assist You Each night in camp, you will find the headquarters rig, manned by one or more of the officials, near the center of camp. If you have a question, problem, sick horse, etc., come on by. We will try to have a vet present on the ride and grounds. Our cook rig will also be close by. The headquarters rig will be equipped with the public address system that is used for many things, including wake up each morning. If you need anything, that’s the place to come. At 4:30 a.m. each morning (except Tuesday and the final Friday) you will hear the call of "Revelee", … now be advised … do it then or the next sound you hear will be Donald singing. Now if you think your horse makes some bad sounds … just wait until you hear this bird sing. I’m telling you don’t gamble, just get up. You’ll be glad you did. If you are coming on the train and have not filled out the ride application and picked up your badge, again come to the headquarters rig. The registrar will be there. Remember, everyone must have an arm band on the ride and they MUST BE WORN IN PLAIN VIEW EACH DAY, AND ALL DAY. Who Should or Should Not Ride? Please read carefully. This is a family oriented train. We will not tolerate loud, abusive language, nor overbearing intoxication that upsets other people. A good time in orderly fashion can be had by all. This also is NOT a ride for a backyard pony. It is NOT a ride for an undernourished or unconditioned mount or team or a patched-together wagon. To make this 6 day trip safely and successfully please read all the information here carefully. If you still have questions please feel free to use one of the contact us pages on the site. A ride official will reply promptly, but you must leave your name and phone number if you want to be called or e-mail address if you want a return e-mail reply. We have devoted a page to that topic. [ Click here ]. Being a cross country wagon train we necessarily have to make a new camp every night. We wake the train each morning at 4:30 AM and move the rigs at 6:00 am. Our moving on time depends on you. After wake up you must feed your stock and yourself and be ready to move by 6:00 AM. The camp will be moved in an orderly fashion convoy style and re-parked at the new site the same way. Each camp has water, food trailer, vet supplies, emergency equipment .... and the Headquarters Rig parked near the center of the camp. Our port-a-pottie truck is also parked nearby. After the rigs are moved busses are provided (at no charge) to return drivers and riders to their mounts and rigs and that day's adventure is ready to begin. There will be NO CHARGE for drivers pulling up their rigs to the next camp. We pull all rigs to the next camp every morning and then bus the drivers back to the old camp for FREE. 2011 Prices $65.00 per person for the full 6 day ride, 12 years and under free with parent. $35.00 for 2 day riders (weekenders). $20.00 for one day riders. Everyone MUST have an armband and it MUST be worn EVERYDAY in PLAIN view. You will get your money's worth. This is a great ride where you will make friends from all over the country. 2010 * 2011 tba We ask that you Pre-Register if possible. There will be a $10.00 discount (full ride) or a $5.00 discount (any except full ride) for those who register prior to February 1st. We realize that many of you will not know until the last few days if you can come. Possibly some of you cannot make the whole 10 days. Feel free to come for any part of the ride that you can. Please remember that when you do arrive, you will need to come to Ride Headquarters and sign the necessary papers and pick up your armband(s). You are welcome to arrive anytime starting 12:00 Noon on Thursday, March 3rd. Some wagon trainers like to come in early and enjoy seeing some of our beautiful countryside before train time. Just be sure that you arrive by Friday, March 4th (this is the Kick-off night) because we are up at 4:30 Saturday morning and the Train begins. For those of you joining us during the Train, there is more information on the site about routes, campsites and directions to the different camps. Please contact us if you have ANY questions and a Train official will reply promptly. The Alabama Law requires that all driver's or rider's animals must have a negative coggins for that animal. This includes "spare" animals. The Agriculture Dept., after 31 years, knows the Wagon Train is here, what our dates are and WILL be checking us along the route. In addition, you can not get into the Rodeo grounds the last day of the ride when we arrive if you do not have your coggins papers.
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