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 John
Davis stands in front of his horses Bud and Bob on his way to Camp
Winnebago. The Friendship Wagon Train stopped in Caledonia on
Thursday. Photo by Daniel McGonigle
By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
Some 85-90 riders drove their wagons through downtown Caledonia on Thursday as part of a fund raiser for Camp Winnebago.
Hailing from as far away as Alabama, the Friendship Wagon Train
celebrated their 20th anniversary by raising $19,000 for the camp.
The annual week-long ride through southeastern Minnesota concluded this past Saturday with breakfast at the camp.
“Then we’ll all go our separate ways,” said John Davis, wagon leader of the group.
Davis reported that the road has been “hot, but it’s been a good ride. We can’t complain.”
When the weather is as hot as it has been recently, Davis said the
group stops more often to give the horses a rest and more water.
Volunteers helping volunteers
The group, themselves volunteers, couldn’t do the ride without the help of so many along the journey.
“There are so many organizations and people who help I just can’t say
enough to thank them all,” said Davis. “All the Lions organizations,
the American Legions, church groups and the public. They’ve really
stepped up and done a good job of donating.”
This despite the current economic climate.
“Times are tight for everyone,” noted Davis. “And people are still so willing to give.”
From Montgomery way
James Meachem is on his second ride with the group. He is from Montgomery, Alabama, and he is blind.
“It’s a way to get out and relax and reflect back on how it was for our
ancestors,” said Meachem. “It isn’t exactly the way it used to be,
still, it is a representation of that time period. You get a sense for
what it was like for early settlers making their way across this
country.”
Meachem noted that for him, just being a part of something like this is a gift.
“There are so many stories of people helping people that you see on
this ride,” said Meachem. “That is what it is all about. Out here you
meet so many people who are so willing to give of their time, their
money and of themselves.”
You can contact Daniel McGonigle at
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