Week 18

Monday July 21 Today we were both on work crew and helped fix the sprinklers and put up a new sign for our trek center.  Selby designed a new gauge for the Willie Meadow water buffalo.  Square Dancing with 350 this evening, went well despite the numbers.  

Tuesday July 22  Left early with the Cook's to deliver a rickshaw to the group leaving Sage camp so we were early for our trek so decided to drove over to the lookout of the Sweetwater canyon area.  It was very cool, much larger than we pictured. This canyon is why the pioneers had to go over rocky ridge.  Then back to join our trek.  It was a very warm day and after lunch we had several kids with problems.  One girl really impressed us by wanting to hike even though she had been injured before the hike.  She had to be re-bandaged 3 times.  We had a girl collapse because of heat exhaustion and Selby had to drive on the trail and take her into Rock Creek Hollow to be treated.  It was pretty scary.  She ended up ok after an IV and 2 bags of fluid.  We had several others that looked questionable and were glad when they made it into camp.

Wednesday July 23 we woke up at 4:20. WE didn't need to get up that early but I think we were concerned about having another hot day on the trail.  We hiked the first group and the first leg over Rocky Ridge.  All went fine.  We noticed the second  group seemed very hot and flushed and it worried us after yesterdays problems, so we decided to check on them at the next stop and bring them a rickshaw.  We ended up waiting for a couple of hours but when they came in again we were right, they ended up giving us a lot of their stuff  so they could put people in the carts.  With the help we gave they made it in without anything serious happening.  

Thursday.  July 24  we wore pioneer clothes all day.  We were on base and ended up doing what Selby called the Sweetwater Taxi service.  For some reason today we transported several groups that wanted to watch or take pictures of different parts of the trek.  

Friday July 25  I did some sewing and baking in the morning and in the afternoon we did Handcart Wrangling with the Hall's.  When handcarts go out to do rocky ridge they have to be delivered  to Sage camp for the morning and then picked up at Rocky Ridge in the late afternoon.  It is 64 miles one way.  So we get there and only half the carts have come in so we go for a hamburger in Atlantic City, any one remember the picture of that town?  When we got back we finished up the loading and were back in camp by 8:15.  

Saturday July 26  Today was our day to celebrate the 24th of July.  I helped with the cooking and while it was in the roasters we went shopping which meant I could talk to the kids.  We got back in time to make corn dogs and help setup.  40 people came from Martin's Cove to celebrate. We ate and played games.  Several people played golf at what was called the Sweetwater Open.  Selby's team won! 

Sunday July 27  We had 2 girls in SS/YW today, such good girls.  No fireside today so went home and were lazy the rest of the day.

We are having such an amazing time.  The spirit of God is so strong here.

Love you all.

 Little girl visiting her grandma whose smile and hug reminded me of our Brooke.

nice group we trekked with

Week 17

Lower Monument at Rocky Ridge with the Hatch's.

So I've mentioned before that we sometimes feel we are in some kind of time warp here.  This week proves it.  I missed writing about the whole week.  I told Wendy I was sure I wrote it but not.  So here goes the catch up.

Monday, July 14 -  We had a great day with the Hatch's and Alex.  We took them to rocky ridge and Rock Creek Hollow and shared some of the great stories made famous from this area.  We went sight-seeing over to Lewis Lake and even though it was July we had a cold storm come through that had Eric worried about ending up with a car looking like the Smith's from all the hail. 

We went to the Sinks and then for a nice meal in Lander. Back to Missionary village and made homemade ice cream and sat around our "campfire"  The kids are into the rock hounding and had fun in our bouncy chair.

Tuesday (July 15) morning we saw them off with a few tears. Selby worked on the well and helped get it started again. (by the way we didn't have water hooked up the whole time the Hatch's were here).  We were base for a huge (350) 6 mile trek.  It wasn't finished until 5:00.  We had an interview with the Monech's.  They were trying to see who would be willing to stay through next season.  We politely declined. 

Wednesday July 16, Did some sewing projects and Selby worked on the well again.

Thursday July 17, Base for 3 treks.

Friday July 18, We hiked the 2nd leg of the NHT (from Lewiston Lakes to Strawberry Creek) with 2 wards from Smithfield, UT. and Mills Road.  Nice group no real problems.

Saturday July 18, To-day was P-day and we decided to take a ride to Dubois. It was about 2 hours from Sixth crossing. It was a very nice area with the Wind River and red rock cliffs.  It is a cute town and has nice homes in the area.  We visited some of the shops, went to the interpretive center, and had some of the best pizza ever.  We went into one galley where we find some amazing carvings in moose antlers.  Turned out the owner/artist of the gallery was Brother Baker from the Riverton Stake and had been the person who made the monument bronze pieces at the lower and upper Rocky Ridge sites.  After shopping in Riverton we arrived home later than usual.

Sunday - Our numbers in SS/YMYW were quite different from last weeks 140, today we had 1 YW.  We had a fireside with Julie Rodgers who is a famous church pioneer artist.  She brought her paintings and told the story behind them.  It was a powerful story.  She told of the inspiration she received and how she truly got to know those she painted.  Very moving. 

On to the next week -Sorry 

Eric's vehicle after going on the Atlantic Hudson to Rocky Ridge.

 Maddy in Rock Creek Hollow

Brayden at Lewis Lake

Shannon holding the catch of the day

Rock hounds at work

 Hatch's leaving us.

Dubois Wy.

Week 16

This was our visitor week.  Thank you to everyone

Monday - The Chittock's were such a pleasure to have here.  They went to our correlation meeting and then showed us all the things they had worked on here, like Curt made the remember bench that sits in front of the Visitor Center.  He made all the frames for the chalkboards in the school house out of the original wood from the school floor. ETC., Etc. They brought us a care bucket full of fresh fruit, yum.  They are the best.  I cried when they left.  We went on P-day and got our groceries after they left. Selby went online and got new shoes to hike in as he has worn out his.

Tuesday - only one trek to watch at base today.  Cleaned in the shop for awhile. Selby was able to portray Levi Savage for a Stake group in the evening. He is amazing the way he can take on the character and make him seem so real.  He worries he doesn't do a good enough job, but i love it.

Selby as Levi Savage

Wednesday - Today hiked the second leg of the National Historic Trail (NHT) with the Gillette Wyoming Stake about 200 people. It is about 5 miles and is pretty flat walking.  The wind was blowing today. The people were mostly cowboys and ranchers.  The kids were hearty and well mannered.  We had come with the Caton's who were doing the first part of the NHT.  We drop them off and go and pick them up at the end of their 5 mile leg and then they pick us up at the end of ours.  The groups go on for another 5 miles into the camp ground at Rock Creek Hollow.  I hiked and talked with a great couple named Ruby.  He is a surgeon and she is the YW Leader in her ward.I ended up encouraging her about her calling.  I told her what she needed to do most was love the girls.  But I also told her they need straight talk and encouragement to be strong in Christ's gospel. She is such a sweet person I loved her. Went to dinner at a good Thai restaurant with the Caton's and then had ice cream at a neat place downtown. Yes I'm feeling fat.  All the walking was suppose to keep that from happening.  I'll need Damian!!!! 

Thursday - Another day at base, but unlike Tuesday, it was a little crazy today.  We had 7 hikes all going out in a 90 minute window, our job is to keep everything running smoothly by keeping a distance between each group and help getting people out if they get hurt or sick on the trail.  Our Directors, the Moench's came and watched us work and visited with us. Base has the best view in the whole area. We were invited to join one of the groups for a nice steak dinner.  Their way of saying thanks for what we do here.

Friday -Today was a great day.  Carrol and Vern's friends, the Fillerups were leading a trek (72) from their ward and requested us to be their trek hosts.  We had such a wonderful time with them.  They are great leaders and we feel like they are our friends now too!  Our stories seemed to go extra good today and the Bishop was a good guy. 

The Fillerups

Saturday- Got ready for the Hatch's and worked the Visitor Center until2:00.  While we were in the center the Salatinos from Auburn Stake stopped by for a visit.  They had been to Martin's Cove visiting Lou's sister who is serving there. Nice to see friends.  Hatchs arrived next, what a happy reunion!!!!!!!  Kissy, kiss. Right after they got here the Johnson's arrived too.  We visited with them at the visitor center as they were just stopping by.  We took the Hatchs on a tour of our site. You wouldn't think we are in the middle of nowhere by the visits this week.  Enjoyed everyone.  

Sunday - we all (Hatchs + Lauren and Taitum) went to Martin's Cove for church.  It was a very busy day as a Stake from Oregon had stayed over so they didn't have to travel on Sunday.  We had about 150 people for Sunday School. WOW  We got the Woodbury's to help, so they wouldn't get bored, but we all did a good job so things went well. We had our potluck followed by a fireside with Sister Hinckley's sisters.  They talked about their grandmother that was part of the Hunt wagon company that followed the Martin Company.  They were delightful, they call President HInckley, Gord. We showed the Hatchs around Martin's Cove and then went to Independence rock.  Brayden and Alex climbed to the top.  We came back and the kids all ate again. 

Such a Fabulous week, We love you all

River Crossing 

River carry

flowers

Week 15

Monday - Today we went and traveled the whole trek from the beginning of Rocky Ridge to Rock Creek Hollow.   The National Historic Trail (NHT) opens for group use on July 1.  The Church is given 6,000 permits for the season.  That may seem like a lot, but we have 20,000 trekkers at our Sixth Crossing Site so it is a privilege to get one of the permits. The NHT we do is 14.8 miles.   We had a meeting with the BLM director Micheal Coin at one of the stops so he could teach us the importance of us being guardians of the trail.  He was very complimentary of the church and says that his office uses our program as a positive example of teaching a love for the land and for our country's history and for protecting the land and preserving it for the future. We didn't hike this time but  went by truck for all but Rocky Ridge.  We had gone out with the Plumhof's and the Woodburys.  So we went out to eat in Lander after the day on the trail. 

Tuesday - It was a slow trek day, only 1, 4-miler.  We actually watched our trek as Base from the New Visitor Center.  Today was Canada Day (July 1st).  Our 4 Canadian couples planned a wonderful program.  There was food, games, a McKenzie brother skit, musical numbers and generally fun for all.  It is a little embarrassing how much they know about the US compared to what we know of their country.  It was a great time.

Wednesday -  Selby and I were paired with the Woodbury's to be the first missionaries to go on the NHT with the first Stake over Rocky Ridge.  We hiked 4.7 miles and arrived at a place called Lewiston Lakes where their are restrooms.  Another Missionary couple takes over from there for the next 5.8 miles (its flat).  And at that point they get on a county road for the last 4.3 into Rock Creek Hollow.  We shuttle a truck to the spot the couple that took over for us, visited the couple at Rock Creek Hollow and then went into Atlantic City for one of those special  burgers, but decided to have a reuben instead.  Selby does love me.  The owner, Laurel, told us how tired she was because business has been hopping.  She is quite the character.

Thursday -  On Base with a few treks.  So I left Selby on base and went to help in the office putting together the packets for the NHT.  When the treks were done Selby and I went to Riverton to get food for our 4th of July parties the next day.We had Square dancing when we got back.

Friday - Started early so the NHT missionaries could get breakfast before they left for the trail.  Then we fed the rest of the missionaries, "egg McMuffins", fruit, oatmeal, juice and hot chocolate.  I worked on the salad for the evening and then I worked in the office and Selby did odd jobs around the village until it was time to start the party.  We had a wiener roast , potato salad, watermelon, chips, cupcakes and homemade ice cream.  Sister Petersen played her accordion, Elder Hirschi's family sang, and Elder Woodbury sang and played his guitar.  Elder Hall is our Cowboy Poet.  He can perform a 3-4 minute entertaining poem without missing a beat. He is a hoot.  The sky put on its own natural fireworks with a glorious sunset.  The mosquitoes were in full force, but most of us endured them.  Another Good day.

Saturday we spent the first half of the day in the office and the second half in the Visitor Center.  We had 30 visitors.  One family in particular stood out.  They were a young family from Colorado.  They had the 3 most adorable well behaved little kids.  Emma was almost 6, James 4, and Will almost 3.  The parents came to honor their great, great, great grandmother that they shared that had traveled with the Willie Company.  They made sure to say they were very, very distant cousins.  They shared with us that the wife had been at Sixth Crossing when she was a youth and had walked for her GGGrandmother. and that the same summer the husband had walked for the same GGGrandmother .  They both said they had an amazing experience and both felt they gained their own conversion to Christ on those treks.  If we can help through our work to help someone gain that then all is worth it.  That is our purpose.  The Guymon's had us for a pizza dinner at their trailer, because they knew we worked late at the Visitor Center.  How nice.

Sunday - First really warm Sunday we've had since we've been here.  I think summer has finally arrived. Selby taught in priesthood the Come follow me program.  I had 11 girls in Young Women's.  We had dinner in our own village this week, they had planned breakfast for dinner, I made my cinamon rolls.  Right after dinner, Curt and Debi Chittock arrived for a visit.  What a delight.  They served here in 2008 and were excited to tour the site to see what was the same and what was different.  We had a great visit and they brought us a bucket of fresh fruit. yummy.  

Week 14

Starting with tuesday this week because I shared all of the Dydiw's visit last week which took us through Monday.  I mowed for most of the morning but also had food that had been left by a group of trekkers that needed to be cooked or frozen. Made some corn chowder for all the missionaries and several cheesecakes, to use up part of the food.  We worked the Visitors Center and met several great people.  It is a great privilege to testify of the power of God through our histories of the handcart people.

Wednesday I pulled weeds at the new Visitor Center.  And then worked on the schedule for the next week.  Selby was working on building projects, one repairing a bridge and the other a cover for the watering system.  He enjoys working with the men as he learns new skills.  We had the Bunnage's come for dinner at our trailer.  They are one of our favorite couples here. But then again we have a lot of favorites, so many great people here. 

Thursday was our day on base.  We had 3 Treks out and it all went well.  Base was windy but not bad.  I've been reading the best book that Shannon sent Selby for FAther's Day.  If we will just take the time to look into history there is so much evidence of God intervening in our behalf.  We find it in so many of our stories here.

Friday - We were up at 5:20 and with our trek group by 6:30.  It had been raining so they had a hard time being ready by their start time.  Ended up working out fine though.  They were another great group.  We did our ten mile trek and ended it with 3 crossings of the Sweetwater River.  First week the river has been down far enough to safely cross with the kids.  It rained on us 3 times and then the sun was out in between.  Again all I can say is that the weather here is crazy.

Saturday - We were on base again for just one trek.  The morning was beautiful as we headed to base but by the time we got on top the wind had to be around 50mph. This next week we are having the National Historic Trail over Rocky Ridge open for groups of trekkers to trek across.  It is a 14 mile trek for them.  We had a training meeting in the evening about all the rules that the BLM has and we are considered as Missionaries "trail guardians".  Everyone is excited about this new site opening up and having the opportunity to walk this section of the trail because it is one area that has been extensively documented to have had angels assisting God's children because of their faith, obedience, sacrifice and charity.  

 Sunday -  Today is our half way point between the date we were set apart as Missionaries and the date we will be pulling out of 6th crossing.  Then in the week that follows we will make our way to Conference and then back to Auburn.

 Church in Martin's cove is always so good.  Almost 50 visitors today.  We had 9 YM and 12 YW.  I love the lessons in Come follow Me.  Sacrament was blessed and passed by the YM and it brought tears to my eyes because I miss my kids (grandkids and seminary).  We usually have the senior missionaries do the sacrament.

Have a district meeting to get to now so more next week.  Love you all, Selby and Cathy