The Great Falls Seventh Ward was privileged to go on the pioneer trek in Wyoming. It took a lot of preparation and effort from the committee but their work was greatly appreciated! I had a great time but was sad to not have my camera, had to settle for a disposable, make it two disposable cameras, which I now know is better than nothing
I enjoyed taking pictures of the silouhettes while trekking.
Jake giving me a piggyback ride across the stream so I wouldn't have to get my tennis shoes wet. Such a nice guy.
One of my highlights from the trek was when Brother Keen asked me if I would do him a favor. He asked me if I would wear his wife Nancy's clothing so he could take a picture. Sis. Keen passed away last May, but had made her pioneer clothing. I was honored to "model" her work!
Dad got a couple pictures of the sunset around us. The scenery was beautiful on the trek. Absolutely breathtaking. My only regret was not being able to get a picture of the stars. They were gorgeous--unbelievable! There were absolutely no hues from city lights and there were so many stars that were bright. It was beautiful!
Even though you can't really see it there are two antelope in these two pictures. Taken again on the disposable. This was at the stream near our campground.
Barrett thought I had bought him a hat and I thought he was going to take his pink cowboy hat. Well when we got to the trek he didn't have a hat. He decided he didn't want the sun bleaching out his hair so he wore another shirt. I teased him calling him Jar Jar Binx, then it was switched to our egyptian stonecutter.
Throughout the trek I kept asking Bro. Keen if he needed sunscreen. He kept refusing but then when we stopped I saw he needed sunscreen in one area. Haha. I couldn't resist a picture.
The boys went down to the stream and were catching frogs. They built a little fort to hold their frogs captive in, can you see the boys? They were the culprits.
Jake and Me
The first day Jarom wasn't having much fun towards the end of the journey. Mom and I posed with him.
Mom was fighting the wind. Haha such a dork!
Look at those sexy pantaloons! Aren't they cute! Mom made them and it just made her outfit!
My bonnet seemed to be a hot commodity with the boys this trek.
The picture below is a picture of where we set up for camp. Very pretty
Catching a ride on the handcart.
Day one we needed a rescue party. Here they are from left to right: Jake, Benny, Jordan, and Barrett.
Me as a little pioneer girl. I represented Emily Hill who after reaching Salt Lake wrote the lyrics to As Sisters In Zion.
At first I thought Jordan was just pumping water to fill up his waterbottle, but then I found out he was actually trying to "flush" out any germs that a little kid might have put in it. Haha
Benny and I taking a water break before the Sweet Water Crossing
Mom and I in our tent. She was so funny because I was taking the picture and we kept squinting because the flash was so bright! Mom finally took the camera away and was like "I can do it" I was showing her what button to push and she told me she knew what she was doing. We smiled and she pushed the button. The lense pulled back as the power on the camera turned off. Haha looks like she had the wrong button.
My silhouette. I don't know how to spell that.
The boys and I on top of Independence Rock. It was an incredible sight and there were so many names dating back in the 1800s that were carved, you can see we were walking on a lot of them.
Our family at the trek. From left to right: Jake, Barrett, Jordan, Me, Jarom, Mom, Dad, and Benny
There is a story about when the pioneers were trekking in freezing weather they came across the Sweetwater River. It was cold and it broke the spirits of many saints who felt as though they didn't have the courage to continue any further. Many men broke into tears as they had reached their limits. Four young men, the oldest in his twenties got into the water and carried the saints across. The men's bodies took a toll and felt the effects of this act during their later lives, but they were the answer to the saints discouragement. These young men were represented in our group by Jake, Dad, Jordan, and Barrett and they are sitting in front of a statue dedicated to those men. We crossed the river, which felt so good on our hot feet.
The missionaries there told us another story, which I really enjoyed. It was of a woman named Elizabeth Burton who was not carried across the river. She instead carried her son across the river and when she turned to go get her daughter her young boy started to follow her. She caught him and brought him back to shore where she tied him to a tree with her apron and then proceeded across the river to get her daughter. Haha what a woman!
Our ward at a devotional.
At one point we were separated. The men went ahead of us while the women had the handcarts. We had a discussion with the sister missionary who explained that the men leaving was to represent those who left to go on the mormon battalion and also those who died leaving their wives and children to carry on. The women were to carry the handcarts in our company to the top of the hill. The hill was sandy and the handcarts seemed to just want to sink. We separated into two groups of eight and carried the five handcarts up in two trips. Not exactly what I would call fun. It was tough work. When we got to the top of the hill we sat and rested while the bishop gave us a little talk. The women's pull made me realize a lot about the strength of those pioneer women. I appreciate their examples.
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Some memorable things from the trek:
Jacob Dean's pick up lines:
*Hey Ms. Hill. So I have been watching you the last mile and I know we are trekking right now but maybe later on we could catch dinner, you know flip a few pancakes, i will help you pitch your tent?
*Little pioneer girl, I couldn't help but notice that your boyfriend was back on the side of the road. . . frozen. . . and dead, but enough about him. You need some company?
*I have been thinking. Chances of survival are pretty thin and being that I am the last one in my family line I was wondering if you were with anybody. Mom told him on this one that maybe he should take the hint that that family line was meant to end.
*Emily Hill! I just shot a squirrel and rations here are thin. There is enough meat for two. just think about it. . . .I'll be in wagon 4.
After the women's pull my bros gave me a hug and told me good job and Jake did the same. Well one of the other young men decided he would try to do the same. After awhile Jake said, "Hey watch the hands." Then Bishop said to Jake, "You're going to have to smack that boy down." It was pretty funny.
Brother Keen's lines:
Brother Keen came in his kilt because if the scottish had come over that is how they would have traveled. He was up on the top of a hill and Sis. Roberts nicknamed him our Captain Moroni. Later on we emptied our handcart and put our buckets into the other four buckets so the rescue party could use ours. Brother Keen came over and asked, "What are you doing?" I told him we were clearing out our handcart so somebody could climb in. he responded, "Oh please tell me that somebody is me."
"Jessica are you pushing or just hanging on?"
"I am pushing."
"Okay good because I am hanging on."
As we were walking I noticed one of our little pioneer children was walking really slow as she let the handcarts pass her by. As we got close I grabbed her and swung her up into our handcart. Brother Keen had moved to the center thinking I was leaving and he needed to fill in my spot so when I swung little Megan up we caught his arm with her leg. I apologized and he said, "It is okay I will set the bones later." Haha!
Washing our hair the second day. Mom washed and braided my hair and I washed and braided hers. Then I washed and braided Sis. Roberts while Mom took care of Jake, Barrett, and Dad. It made a huge difference and after spending all day in the dirt it was very refreshing.
Sis. Whitney was in charge of meals and she did an excellent job. Her dutch oven cooking was delicious! The first day we had a taco salad with corn bread and peach cobbler for dessert. The second day was pancakes for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and fruit when we returned to camp (which was absolutely perfect!) and dinner was a green bean and meat over rice. Breakfast the next day was oatmeal, bagels, and yogurt. She and her helpers did a fantastic service to us that weekend.
After we got back from walking Martin's Cove we sat in a picnic area for lunch. Many people laid down to rest. Sister Cunningham was one and Mom threw ice down her dress, it took a couple of chips for her to realize the cold she was feeling. Then Barrett was another. Joseph leaned over the table and said, "A kiss from his true love will wake him up." He leaned over as if to kiss Barrett but was smart enough to stop because somebody woke up and threw punches.
"There's a baby! still. . . Enjoying the view." Joseph while checking out another pioneer lady who was obviously a wife and mother from a different group.
"Whoa Tiger! That one's taken." Brother Eichner getting after one of the young men who had put his arm around Sister Eichner, his wife.
"What is the most beautiful thing you have seen on this trek" J.Lahaderne
"My wife." M. Eichner
I thoroughly enjoyed the trek and the battles before and after were so worth it. I think it brought the ward closer together and we got to know everyone better. I especially enjoyed getting to know Sister Roberts. What a hoot she is! This might also sound weird especially for those of you who know me as a "texting queen" but it was so nice to get away from all the distractions of civilization to just enjoy everyone's company and to be in a "quiet environment" and just to enjoy the surroundings. However it was also very nice to return back to civilization when we were done and Danika was SO happy we were home!
