Pioneer Handcart Trek Day 3; Martins Cove...

Day 3

We were up again before 5am (no wonder it took me soooo long to recover... I need my sleep and 4 hours a night or so, just wiped me out).

We broke camp once again... I think I can put up and take down a tent all by myself now!

Gathered our family for prayer. All were starting to show signs of tiredness, and the Doctor/Bishops son had signs of strep throat (so they put him in a tent by them and to isolate him from the other kids) but all were still in great spirits and all were excited to get to go into Martins Cove.

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We had biscuits and gravy for breakfast and loaded up on the buses for a 3 hour drive to the Martins Cove Visitors Center.

When we arrived we got handcarts, loaded up our water containers, and lunch coolers into the carts and gathered for an orientation meeting with the senior missionaries.

We watched a few videos about the pioneers who had sought a place to rest in Martins Cove as possible relief from the snow and storms. And also of the crossing of the Sweetwater River.

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Then arranged in companies, we trekked about a mile and a half towards Dan Jones Cove. We stopped for lunch parked the carts. And then walked up into Dan Jones Cove. Dan Jones was part of one of the rescue parties that helped the pioneers in the Martin Handcart company, they later named this cover after him.

We stopped here and sat around the rocks inside the small cove.

The senior missionaries spoke to us, then our stake President asked his wife to share her testimony. She is very sweet and I could feel of the spirit in the cove when she bore her testimony of the Savior.

The Trek choir sang "My Redeemer Lives" and I felt so tender from the beautiful music.

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Then our Stake President spoke to us... He talked 1st about the 1st time he had come here alone before the trip 4 years ago to pray and see if it was something the youth in our stake should come participate in. He said he was expecting to feel sad and sorrow and pain from the loss and suffering of the pioneers that died and lost so much here. But instead he felt great joy and great blessings as he entered the cove. He thought this was because of what those pioneers can see now from Heaven... 1 Peter 2:9... He hopes that we can see ourselves how they can see us. They would rejoice to know that we don't have to go as far as they did to be in His Temples. Temples are now all over the earth. This dispensation will end with the coming of Christ. President Hinckley said of the youth today, they are the finest the world has ever seen. It is your quest to see yourself and your great potential.

1 Nephi 14... Nephi saw us today. That is your legacy. That is who you are!

Then President McCune gave a beautiful blessing over the youth there that day... and he promised them "If you stay true to what you know in the covenants you have made - you will be able withstand temptation. You will, in your mind know who you are. If you live righteously - All doubts wil dissapear".

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I was crying so hard at this point, I couldn't see to write any more notes in my journal... I just listened. I know our photographers were video taping his words, for the youth to have later.

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And I enjoyed just taking it all into my heart, for me, for the young women I am assigned over, for my handcart family and the youth in our ward... but also for my sweet little family. We were not together, we had to sit with other youth we were each taking care of, but we each heard the same Priesthood Blessing upon us.

As we left this shaded cove, we walked around a large 3 mile loop into Martins Cove, very open, not much shade but in between the hills.

When the pioneers took refuge here, in the winter of 1856, there were 19 inches of snow and they took shelter against the side of the hills.

It was a different experience going into Martins Cove this time for me... last time it was quiet, and no one spoke, it was very reverent.

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This time the senior missionaries spoke briefly to us directly in the center of the cove, and it was the hottest part of the day, so they kept us moving very quickly out of the cove... not much time to ponder or write in our journals there at all.

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I did take a moment to find the tree stump off the side of the trail as you leave the cove. We had read the story of a boy that the rescuers found who's family was very sick and very cold. They sent him off to gather wood and made him stay up all night cutting wood. In his journal pages, he was angry with them, for making him work, when he was so tired, they gave him an old axe that was dull and there was only a few trees, one of which he described in his journal as two trees coming out of one trunk. In the early morning he returned with the firewood he had painfully cut to find his family frozen to death. It was because of his obedience to the rescuers to keep moving and working that kept him alive through the night.

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There is a stump, that is just as he described, still there, and looks to have been cut with a very dull axe blade. It is a beautiful reminder for me of the importance of the principle of obedience in the gospel.

(Jacob took this photo for me 4 years ago)

Something else that really took me back, was that all the animals were very close, even with their babies off the trail. And they didn't run away when we walked by. We were quiet, as quiet as you can be with over 200 youth. But they must be so conditioned to nobody ever walking off of the trail, that it is a safety zone for them.

After we left Martins Cove, we headed for the Sweetwater River.

There we listen from the side of the banks to some music as a few of the youth from each company did a re-enactment of the river crossing of the pioneers.

When they reached the Sweetwater River it was 100 feet wide and waist deep in most places, and partially frozen, and many broke down and cried here knowing they could not survive the conditions in their weakened broken state. So 3 courageous boys, 18 years of age waded the river and carried the women and children and the weaker men across the icy waters.

One of the pioneer women who was carried over the river later recalled, "Those poor brethren were in the water nearly all day. We wanted to thank them, but they would not listen to us. My dear mother felt in her heart to bless them for their kindness. 'God bless you for taking me over this water in such an awful rough way.' They said 'Oh, ... I don't want any of that, you are welcome. We have come to help you.' This sister also reported that one of the rescuers stayed in the water so long, that he had to be taken out and packed to camp, and it was a long time before he recovered, as he was chilled through. And later in life he was always afflicted with rheumatism."

These rescuers and what they had done, was brought to the attention of President Brigham Young... when he heard of this heroic act, it is reported that he "wept like a child, and declared that this act alone would ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end."

After the Sweetwater River crossing, we trekked back to Cherry Creek Camp Ground about 6 miles total this day. We had a great view of Martins Cove.

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For dinner we had hamburgers. The youth were really good about cleaning up their mess kits. Another worry of mine, that we would lose one to food poisoning, yikes!

We enjoyed another great fireside/devotional from the stake, the pony express came in with letters from home, and then our Bishop gathered us together to talk more about our experiences.

The kids were still all sitting around a fire pit with their letters, so some opened them, and some saved them for later.

This was a very sweet and special time for Jacob 4 years ago, and when Jim and I were asked to write him a letter again for this trek, we both sat down one night when he was out and wrote them separately. Then we read each others letters and we were crying and so surprised that we had written about some of the same things, given some of the exact same advice. But in our own words. We added letters from his grandparents so he would feel more the sense of a letter from home, since we were with him on the trek.

And he read his quietly to himself, but sitting on his bucket in the midst of all of our ward youth. We watched from across the circle and he kept is sunglasses on, it was almost dusk at this time... and he kept wiping his eyes underneath his glasses.

We could tell he was very touched, he looked up and smiled at both of us and the letters were never spoke of again. I can only hope they uplift and inspire him as he can re-read them later. I did see them get unpacked when we got home, and put away in his room.

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I took the opportunity to write a letter to Jim when we turned them in weeks before, and when he received it, he didn't know who it was from and opened it and began reading it out loud... it was intensly private, so I abruptly stopped him, and he looked at me funny, without a clue, and put it in his pocket. Later he pulled it out and asked me to read it to him in our tent.
I wasn't sure it had the same affect on him, as they did for Jacob, until later in the Temple he referred to something I had written to him in his letter. It was then I knew, he had heard my words and taken them into his heart, like I had hoped.

The sunsets were always beautiful... this night was no different.

But we also had a storm blow in near and experienced lots of thunder and lightning.

But much to my surprise the rain managed to go right around us. What a blessing.

It left behind a beautiful rainbow that dropped behind the equipment trailers directly into Martin's Cove, where we had felt so much love and peace.

But an early night would not be in the plan for us... it was par that some of the younger youth would really begin to feel a longing for home... and the letters from home really opened some of those wounds. There was a twisted ankle, and a few other minor injuries that we would get to witness the power of priesthood blessings.

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It was the perfect end to a wonderful last day on the trail.

It would be our last night, and tomorrow would bring much anticipated clean showers in SLC.

Pioneer Handcart Trek Day 2; Rocky Ridge...

Day 2

This would be the 15 mile trek over Rocky Ridge... my strong silent mysterious man was very anxious for this day... and we were instructed to be up early and have camp packed up so they could get on the trail without any delay.

He could not sleep hardly all night. He woke me up at 330am for prayers and scriptures and we began packing up our buckets and taking down our tent.

By 5am we were all ready to go and waking up our handcart family... they quickly got up and ready and were gathered for family prayer.

We ate a wonderful breakfast and then finished packing up our tents and breaking camp.

Our ward was all loaded on the bus ready to head out for Rocky Ridge, and I was staying behind with some of the youth to do some service activities at the visitors center.

In talking with the leaders that were assigned to stay behind and the other priesthood leadership that was assigned to take water buffalo's to meet up with the trekkers at designated points on the trail... it was determined that there were some youth that had been on the list to stay behind for health or other predetermined issues, that had gotten on the bus to go trek over Rocky Ridge thinking that they could do the 1st 5 miles and come back with the water buffalo truck if they couldn't go farther... however the water buffalo truck was loaded full and not able to transport youth... with the exception of an extreme emergency, like a broken leg or something.

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So one of the stake presidencies wife and I were supposed to drive two of the cars around to meet the companies at our next camp at Rock Creek Hollow, so we took them as far in on the restricted BLM roads to wait until we got word that nobody in the companies would need help, or need to be taken in by car.

So we headed out to follow the water truck...

After the chief refilled the buffalo... we were off...
I was hoping not to get lost because we were literally in the middle of nowhere!

I saw so many critters... the antelope were amazing...

At one point we saw our company way off in the distance on the trail...

Then we reached the last point that we could take the extra vehicles and we would sit and wait.

We talked together, just a little worried about any potential problems we might have with anyone coming off the trail... would we be equipped to take care of them.

Then we had a prayer.

We stopped for lunch and waited a few more hours, when finally we got word from the missionary couples who are serving out there, came in from the trail with word that all of our companies were healthy and well and all would be traveling on to Rock Creek Hollow.

So with that, we drove around to meet them at the end of the trail.

Good news!

Answered prayers!!

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During that same time, back at the visitors center the youth and adults that didn't go over Rocky Ridge were busy making quilts.

Oh what sweet service! And on the trail...
They trekked up and over Rocky Ridge, a 15 mile all day hike...

There were strict rules for most of the land they travelled, that the carts could not be taken off or around the trail... so they had to be taken through the mud bogs.

The couple missionaries told those boys, they would have been considered heroes if they were pioneers taking the carts for other families where they could not travel for themselves... and to wear that mud as their badge of courage.

They hiked the rest of the day with those muddy shoes and clothes... and remember, only one pair for the week. So even when they got back to camp to clean up in the water, they would never be really clean again.

This was the 1st company that arrived back to camp!
A good sight for everyone!

We set up camp and had family prayers with much much gratitude for safety and courage within our family and went to dinner.

After dinner we gathered for a fireside devotional after dark, but kept it short because of the intense mosquito's and a very tired group from the long day, with another early morning ahead.

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That night we camped at Rock Creek Hollow the place where the Willie company pioneers after 27 hours crossing over Rocky Ridge lost 13 in their company the next morning and were buried in a common grave.

Two of the men who helped bury the thirteen pioneers died later and are buried in nearby grave sights.

There is also a marker added in 1992 by President Hinckley to "Remember" them, and recognize the second rescue. A Riverton Wyoming stake president inspired his congregations to do research for their ancestors and have their names taken to the temple to perform sacred ordinances for those who have passed and could not do the work for themselves. It was during this time, they found many of these very pioneers had not had their temple work done, and it was completed, thus the first rescue being the atonement of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he paid for even all of the suffering these saints endured for their faith. And the second rescue being the consecration to a higher purpose as their temple work was completed bringing them to eternal life.

I am grateful I have not had to endure or suffer as the saints that came before... but I have some concern that because of the comforts and peace that I know in my life, I may never know in the same way that they came to know, in their extremities, of their Savior and His love for them, and the absolute knowledge that God lives.

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But for the burdens I do face, and I have had to endure, He has said "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Pioneer Handcart Trek Day 1; Wyoming...

We survived our week with the church youth group in Wyoming and Utah for our pioneer handcart trek.

It might take me a few more weeks to fully recover, but I feel like I need to start posting so I don't forget any of the highlights of the week.

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The first day....

Right after church some of the girls met and a leader who does hair for a profession braided and braided to get us all ready for a few days without a shower.

It was a very sweet service, and appreciated dearly by day two, more than we could have imagined.

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We then all met at the church in our pioneer clothing 11pm, with everything we needed for the week in a 5 gallon bucket.

Families said goodbye's, we were lucky enough to have our whole family get to go... but most were not that fortunate and had to leave love ones behind. As did the pioneers in the 1850 companies... they sent children west, sometimes with people they barely knew, or had just met.

Because we knew the outcome would be 100% return, it was doable and most were just happy to finally be on our way! After so many months of preparation.

We departed just after midnight Sunday night and arrived in Little America, WY mid morning on Monday. The bus ride was long, not much quiet to sleep with all those youngins and the anticipation for the week ahead. So that was our first clue it would be a long week.
We ate some muffins/bagels for breakfast on the grass.

There were actually tourists stopping to take our pictures.
I guess we were quite a site with 8 buses full of pioneers.

Standing was preferred later in the trip, as we had been sitting for so long.

Mostly we just had to grin and bear it... no place to go, and we were in it for the long haul at this point.

We arrived in Wyoming mid afternoon... here I am with the girls in our handcart family all clean before the first day of trekking.

They were so sweet, got along great... and at this point my strong silent mysterious man had no idea how they would wrap around his heart before the week was over.

When we arrived, our stake leaders had food ready for us before our first trek.

I wanted to take photos of all the food each day, just to document how much work went on behind the scenes... but I think this was the only meal I remembered to photograph.... but we were fed very well.

Luckily we didn't have to re-enact the pioneers experience when they were rationed down to 4 oz. of flour a day. Whew!

Here is our newly formed handcart family, we would be a new family together for a week.

5 boys and 4 girls... two of the youth would act as the Ma and Pa and Jim and I would shadow lead them as an Aunt and Uncle... but they were to hold the brunt of the responsibilities of leading the family.

We trekked for a few miles and stopped and parked the handcarts, they pulled the men away, representing how many women lost their spouses to death, or the Mormon Battalion and had to continue getting the families west by themselves.

We pulled the handcarts up a long steep hill and found the men at the top standing on each side with their hats over their hearts.

It was emotional and hard to pull without them, I could not look up; I knew that would make me cry like a baby.

A sweet time to remember.

The rest of the trail that day was through sixth crossing.

Some of the trails were muddy.

The water crossings were knee to thigh deep and we were asked to remember the stories of those pioneers that did this in the freezing winter cold.

A very different task that what we endured in the hot July sun.

The teenager was the Pa over a different family, but was in our company of 50, so we saw him and got hugs as often as we could.

We were so proud of him that he stepped up and took good care of the kids in his handcart family and took his responsibilities very seriously.

It was only about a 6 mile trek this day.

So while we were tired, there were not many struggles.

We arrived back at camp... and pitched our tents.

Then as the pioneers did to lift spirits and have some fun... we did some square dancing.

Amazingly enough these kids, all proud in the world, embarrassed in worldly standards... had a great time and lots of fun dancing.

The last dance was a line dance they do at the stake dances all the time, so even if they were confused all night or had missed learning the square dances before trek, they could join in on this one! And most all did!

The stake leaders took all of the men away from camp (in this horse trailer... it was kind of a funny sight). And they counselled about the day ahead of us. The 15 mile hike over Rocky Ridge.

At night fall the stake leadership held a devotional fireside.

Then afterwards we gathered our "family" for an evening prayer together before bedtime, and Uncle Jim talked to them about some of the challenges they would be facing the next day.

It would be the long 15 mile hike over Rocky Ridge, if there was anyone that had struggled with the mile hike, they should consider not going the next day. There was activities for those who stayed, and some adults assigned to be with them.

We had determined a few weeks prior that I would stay back with any of those youth. In our pre trek hiking, I had some troubles and found out my pacemaker is close to the end of it's battery. So to keep from having anything happen on the trail, I was taking precautions.

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Since our entire family was going, it was very hard for me to stay back; my thoughts again went to those pioneers and the sacrafices they had made, the family they had to leave behind or send ahead. I hoped they were in good hands. Would their Uncle Jim have enough compassion if they got tired, or hurt. Would he love those young women and comfort them like they were ours?

I knew he had already been touched by their spirits and they were pretty tough girls, so I put all of my faith in Gods hands for "our family" for the next day and went fast asleep.

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5am would come very early the next morning.