The last week of July we went on trek with our Stake.
Mick and I were a Ma and Pa.
We had 7 children in our family.
They were a great group of kids and had good attitudes.
We walked over 25 miles in 3 days.
We had a great experience at Martin's Cove.
It wasn't easy but we learned many
lessons while we were there.
My handsome pioneer with Martin's Cove in the background.
Our trek family.
Preparing for our daily walk.
Here are a few "pictures" that have been impressed
into my mind during this experience.
~Loading the buses for the 6 hour ride to Wyoming.
We were fresh and clean, excited but a little apprehensive.
~Coming into our camp after walking 3 miles.
The wind was blowing like crazy.
It took everyone in our family to set up out tents.
It was a struggle but with a group effort we did it.
~Oscar the Dog
Good watch dog that follows our trek group.
Protects us from the Coyotes at night.
~Walking into Martin's Cove.
Wondering how the pioneers did this in the cold and snow.
Sacred spot. So many died here.
~Crossing the Sweetwater.
Cool and refreshing for us.
Cold and Bitter for the pioneers in October.
~Women's pull.
The men left us for the Mormon Battalion.
Talk to the young women- We can do hard things.
Looking to the hill.
It is steep and sandy.
The men and young men silent, watching us
pull our handcarts.
Watching the women ahead of us.
They are strong and make it to the top.
Other young women come back down
to help them.
"As Sister's in Zion we'll all work together".
Our families turn to pull our wagon up the hill.
It is so hard. Harder than I could have imagined.
I'm praying for strength and pushing the wagon
from behind.
I pass Mick and he gives me a thumbs up for encouragement.
It was so hard...but we made it to the top.
I can do hard things!
~The Storm
We made it to camp and had a wonderful dinner.
The sunset is beautiful.
We can see rain in the distance.
We gathered our family in our tent.
We get settled and begin a discussion.
The wind, lightening, thunder and rain come.
It is very scary.
We feel so unprotected.
But we are together and are silently praying.
Our tent rips and pole breaks.
Now we are getting wet.
How could the pioneers have endured such weather?
After the storm we discover our other tent was ruined.
We all fit into a dry tent.
We talk of our experience.
Letters are shared from home.
The youth in our family are so happy to receive
their letters and some shed tears.
It was a tender moment.
~Final Trek
We are a little weary.
Sore feet and blisters.
It is amazing what duct tape can do.
Walking a fast pace.
Can't keep up!
Put into the wagon for a couple of miles.
Disappointed that I didn't walk all the way.
I am so thankful for my trek family and
group captain.
They pulled me along!
~Last 1/2 mile.
I walked the last 1/2 mile of our trek.
I was very sore and tired.
I felt a sweet feeling of peace as I finished.
I shed a few tears that my journey was done.
I am Grateful for the experience.
I am glad that I didn't have to do more.
I am thankful for the sacrifices of the early pioneers.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing mom. That was really nice. I'm glad you had a good experience.
I love everything that you wrote, and what a handsome pioneer husband you have. That is such a good picture of him & the one of the 4 of you. Thanks for sharing your experience. love ya
You are such a strong woman and a great role model!
crazy, we were coming home from SLC last month and stopped there on the 27th. I wanted to show the girls.
We did a very similar youth conference when i was 16 during the sequentennial celebration. We were put in families and camped for a week- trekking with handcarts in different locations along the mormon trail.
Martin's cove holds a special place for me. Our family was the first family to try and ford a part of the sweetwater river. Dressed completely in era clothes- our family held hands (me on the end) and started across. Somehow i lost my footing on a drop off, my 'sister' couldn't hold onto me and I drifted/sank down the powerful currents of the sweetwater. The priesthood men made a human chain extending into the river to grab me. My boots were weighing me down and my legs were wrapped up in my skirts and apron. I seemed to be drowning. They finally grabbed me and I coughed up water for a few minutes after getting up on the bank. I was a trained lifeguard and had been swimming competitively since I was 4...it was the scariest moment of my life. Especially when I saw the face of one of the priesthood- he was also my swim coach. He still talks about that day and how that experience touched him. Almost like reliving a tragedy or struggle that befell some many of the pioneers. Suddenly all the journal entries, stories and testimonies are more meaningful and powerful. They were a great people!
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