California’s Lone River-Route Postal Carrier Says “It’s No Big Deal”
As Santa readies his reindeer, and U.S. postal carriers take to their feet and trucks, one person delivering the mail this holiday season will be dropping off packages by boat.
Rick Stelzriede, 61, of Tracy is the only postal carrier with a river route in California, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Still, he downplays his unusual role.
“I am the only mailman on the water but I mean, it’s no big deal,” he said. “I could be a postman in the city and do the same job.”
The job entails hopping into his 21-foot aluminum boat, and slogging through 60 miles of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, six days a week to get mail, bills and Christmas presents on time to his 23 customers. He doesn’t stop for wind, rain, hail, sleet or the thick mess of seemingly endless river weeds and kelp.
note: Rick Stelzriedee signed on with the U.S. Postal Service as an independent contractor about two years ago.
23 stops over 61 water miles…. now that is a waste of money!