A Family Trek

Cecil and Sharon, Claudia, Brian, Doug, spouses and two grandchildren came up to Martin's Cove last week. We also had Tina and Steve and Paul and Robin, Amy and her friend Eric. We had a great time and these are the photos.

Getting ready to trek. This is out in front of the Trek Center














On the first turn going towards Veil Bridge and the Sweetwater River.











At Veil Bridge the missionaries have stories. Elder and Sister Braiden from Manassa, Colorado, greeted us.








We trekked on to Martin's Cove. This is a 5 mile round trip, the Cove is halfway, and you climb for most of it.



































Leaving the Cove, finally downhill a little, on our way to the Sweetwater for a river crossing to commemorate the rescue at the Sweetwater on Nov. 4, 1856.






Here we are reenacting the rescue and the crossing of the Sweetwater. Eric showed us all up and carried Amy across, then showed of by pulling the handcart the last mile or so.

















































We had a great time with family. John and Jean had a chance to do Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Read, but no photos, since Eph didn't have a camera. Maybe someone else has a photo we can use.

Things We've Never Done Before

Our mission has let us do things we have never done before. Here are a few photos of "FIRST TIME FOR US."


One of the things some of us do as missionaries is the story of Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Read, told around the campfires of the trekkers. You can Google Ephraim Hanks to find out more about this amazing handcart rescuer and frontiersman.


Here we are at the top of Prospect Hill, north of Devil's Gate, where the Martin Handcart pioneers had to climb in 18 inches of snow, just after the first rescuers met them on Oct. 28, 1856.


We have two orphan calves here at the Martin's Cove. This is also a working ranch, where the Church has 1200 head of cattle. Jean is helping to feed Walter and Norman. The man next to her is Elder Bolton. He and his wife are serving a mission here as ranch managers. They spend about 12 hours a day in the saddle, working the herd.




Believe it or not, we also call square dances for the trekkers. Both of us have the chance to do it regularly, out at the campgrounds set up for trek groups. You'll have to click on one of them to see John in action.


We also have days assigned to the work cres or yard crews. Jean has never ridden a riding mower, but here she is.



Here is Jean with Oscar, a dog from one of the ranches around here who comes in during the summer and adopts trek groups. If you want to see a great story of Oscar, go to "The Friend" magazine for July, 2009, or go to this web address: http://lds.org/churchmagazines/FR_2009_07_00___04267_000_000.pdf It's a pdf file, so open it and go to page 22.

Catching Up

We've been neglecting our blog and have a lot to share. I'll try doing a few small ones to catch up.
We had Brian and Moonsung and David and Natalie here for Memorial weekend (my last blog post). Here are some photos of our trek and Sunday after church.


Trekking to Martin's Cove


More trekking


From the top of the Cove


Sunday after church, Devil's Gate in the background.

More to come tonight or tomorrow, I promise!!