Our family name was "Gang Green" made up by yours truly. The first day we visited Veil Crossing
and Martin's Cove where many of the saints died from the cold and were buried.
We returned to to buses and took a short drive to our campsite for the night where delicious dinner was waiting. Although the place was swarming with mosquitoes it was nice to kick back for the evening and enjoy getting to know new people. The next morning came too soon
and we got to work pretty quickly after breakfast, rolling up sleeping bags, dismantling tents and making preparations for the long trail ahead. The day is easily summarized: We walked a LOT. 
Stumbling into camp my legs were jell-o. Still we had to set up our tents and start fires. After all of that business, dinner and a short nap we had the pleasure of listening to a guest speaker who told us great stories about the land we were traveling through as the sun set.
I didn't know that up until a few years ago many of the saints who died in the handcart companies hadn't had their temple work done. Interesting fact. Anyway, that night after the sun set and most trekkers were in their tents I took a few minutes to lie down on a bench and marvel at the heavens above (which are fantastically bright and bountiful in the middle of nowhere Wyoming). It is incredible to me how much more there is in the universe and beyond than I can ever fathom. Beautiful. I retired to my tent and had some of the most fulfilling sleep of my life. There is something about eating and sleeping after exhausting days outside. Food is more delicious and sleep is heavenly, even on uneven, hard ground. The next morning we would set out for the roughest terrain we had seen yet: Rocky Ridge and 3 or 4 mud bogs.
It was a rough day, being drained from the 2 days before trudging on. I can hardly imagine how the pioneers in the handcart companies found the strength and courage to face the conditions crossing the harsh, frozen Wyoming plain.We had it pretty easy, it being summer and having modern foot apparel, tents and some of the tastiest food made for us. Still, having flat feet, there were times my feet were so cramped up it was a mind over matter situation in which I just kept telling myself, "just make it to that next bush in the distance... just make it to the next potty stop..." and so on.
On the last day I had a particularly moving experience: I was exhausted and my feet were killing me. I wanted to give up so badly, but kept pushing on fighting the pain. As we finally reached Rocky Creek Hollow, 
the last campsite at the end of our 30 mile journey on foot, tears filled my eyes in relief which turned into awe and appreciation for the pioneers who sacrificed so much for what they believed. I wondered how they must have felt when they finally reached the Salt Lake Valley, knowing they had completed their journey... but then having to establish residence building shelter and finding food in a barren land. I am so grateful for the sacrifice they made, and the great blessings that have flowed down from it. All they did, and for what? For their covenants. This was very inspiring to me as I had been wanting to enter the Lord's House to make my own covenants. It also stressed the importance and weight of being true to promises made with Heavenly Father. We had dinner and concluded the evening with a testimony meeting. It always seems emotions are strong when fatigued and surrounded by nature. Some of the best, most meaningful testimony meetings I've been to are on camping trips. The night wound down as "families" shared spiritual thoughts and departed for bed or huddled around campfires singing hymns softly to a strumming guitar.
Once again, I took time to admire the star filled sky before falling asleep to the sounds of crickets and a babbling brook. In the morning we cleared camp and headed home.I am grateful I had the opportunity to attend trek and learn new things about the pioneers and myself.
Call me crazy, but after all of this, I still didn't sleep in my own bed the next night! I slept in my tent again! It was a fun night I'm glad I didn't miss. Making memories with Jessica and Amber is worth one more night away from my bed.
We went up to a fireside in Rockport, roasted (err... played with) marshmallows
and spent the next day at the lake.
Oh, funny story: The Sunday after trek I went to church early for choir, ran into my trek "Pa" (the only guy in our family) and asked him if he knew anything about choir. He had a look on his face like, "I know I know you from somewhere, but I can't place it" and answered "I'm not sure, but if they're having it its in the relief society room." I thanked him and went to check. No one was there so I went back downstairs where I saw him again this time with a resolved look on his face. He then said, "We look a lot different when we're not on trek." Yeah... Its amazing what a shower, make-up, a dress and heels can do to a person.
1 comment:
This was the coolest post! I love history and it's so cool that you got to relive it that way. What a brave woman! =)
Kristina J.
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