What an amazing experience it was to go on Trek. Jessica, Ky and I were all so glad we went.
We left on Tuesday June 30 at about 6:45 AM to drive over to Martin's Cove, WY. I didn't want to drive so we were able to ride with Barbara Summers. It was a long drive but pretty. It took about 7 1/2 hours to get there were several bathroom breaks.
When we finally arrived at Martin's Cove we had to wait for a while for everyone else to arrive. Once most of us were there we headed out with out bucket in the handcarts and trekked 3.2 miles to Cherry Creek Campground, where we set up camp.
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| Waiting for the rest of the ward to arrive at Martin's cove. |
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| Trekking Family |
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| Ky doing the stick pulling, she won. |
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| Square dancing at Martin's cove. |
On Wednesday we trekked to the sweetwater river and crossed it with the handcarts. This was the first of several spiritual experiences we would have. It was so hard to pull the cart through the sand out in the middle of the river and just when you thought you couldn't go anymore someone would reach out and grab the cart to help. I could see why the pioneers would cry and almost refuse to cross the river each time they came to it.
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| Crossing of the Sweetwater river. |
We then trekked through Martin's cove, we got to leave the handcarts behind, which I was thankful for. I was a pretty place.
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| Us at the statuesto remind us of the 3 young man that carried pioneers across the river. |
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| Trekking through Martin's cove, so hot and tired |
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| Martin's cove |
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| Trying to find some shade to eat or lunch. |
After lunch we headed back to camp but stopped before we got there to do the Women's Pull. This turned out to be my favorite part of the whole Trek. We only had to take 5 of the 11 carts up. We divided into groups and as it turned out Jessica was with the first cart, Ky with the second and I was with the 3rd. As Jessica's group started up the trail and got to the hill, I just started to cry and so badly wanted to run up to help her but I couldn't. The same thing happened when Ky's group went. The spirit spoke to me about how sometime we want to help out children out when they are going through hard things but that we have to let them experience it on there own, and just stand back and watch. I was so emotional by the time my group headed up that I don't know how much help I was, I just put my head down and dug my feet in the sand and pushed. It was an amazing experience, that I hope I never forget.
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| Womans pull |
On Thursday, we packed up to move over to Sixth Crossing. The trek family we were assigned to, The Reynold left that morning to go to a family reunion. This left me and the 2 girls by ourselves with the handcart. I thought it would be alright since we only had to carry out water bottles and the 5 gallon jug of water. As we were heading out the ward rallied around us and helped us pull the cart. It brought back to me what the pioneers must have felt when they left family behind or when family died and they were on there own. I felt like just like the ward helped me that I'm sure the pioneers also helped each other out as much as they were able. I was thankful for this experience and it taught me that the Lord will never leave us alone.
Once we made it out we got to walk over to Devil gate and see it, then drove to Independence Rock. It was so hot that we didn't climb it but enjoyed the shade of the trees at the reststop.
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| Us at Devils gate. |
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| Jessie and Ky at independence rock |
Friday was the hardest day for me because I just was done with the heat and trekking and wanted to go home to my bed. We trekked on the original Mormon, Oregon, and Pony Express trail. That was neat to know that I was walking where my ancestors walked, I was truly walking in their footsteps. As we continued up the trail we made our way to Willie's' meadow and learned about it. We then trekked back to camp for lunch and to finish packing to go home. The final trek was to the Sweetwater River to cross it again. This time it was easier since we didn't have to bring the handcarts and the bottom was rocky and not sand. It was still a great experience. After they let us play in the river for about 30 minutes to cool off before heading for home.
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| Cooling off in the spring at Sixth crossing. |
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| Walking the Pioneer trail. |
I was so glad that I got to experience the trek with Jessica and Kylynn. They were so strong and walked the whole way and didn't complain too much. Jessica's feet held up with only a little pain but it didn't stop her from trekking. We were all so glad to get home friday night at 9:45. We all showered and looked forward to a good night sleep in our own beds. I was grateful also to see Matt, Aleeya and Delwyn, I truly missed them.
