Pioneer Trek

I had been looking forward to this day and dreading it all at once.  I was just glad to finally have it here.  We were up at 5 in the morning after being up late packing, and at the church ready to go by 5:30.

 We met up with the stake in New Harmony and Garrett and I were given 11 children to be ma and pa over for the next 3 days.  I loved them!!  Kolton, Rebecca, Logan, Emily, Quincy, Mason, Antoine, Corrie, Ericka, Avery, and Laughing Logan soon really felt like my own kids.  They did not know each other, but took no time at all to become good friends.  We played some get to know you games and ate some breakfast (plain greek yogurt which no one would eat), and then headed out.

That first day was tough as we were not accustomed to pulling a handcart, it was hot, and mostly up hill.  Garrett and the boys in our group along with Becca and Emily were great pullers though.

Towards the end of the first day was the women's pull.  We were already pretty tired.  All the young men were sent on ahead, and me and my daughters huddled up for prayer.  We were positive starting out, but wore out quickly.  The mountain was the steepest we had pulled all day.  Just when I thought I could go no further, Garrett and all of our sons came running out of the trees.  They pushed me aside and said "we got this ma."  The power of the priesthood was tangible.  I fought back tears as relief swept over me. They got us the rest of the way to the top.

Needless to say we were all very tired when we finally made our way into camp around 5:00.  We had dinner (beef stew and bread), and then pa and I settled getting ready for bed while the kids went to watch "Ephriam's Rescue" The movie ended about 11:00 and our kids started trickling back to camp and into bed.  All were accounted for by 11:30 except Ericka (girl in red below).  I waited thinking maybe she had gone to sleep with her friend that she had been hanging out with, but looked over and realized, her sleeping bag, pillow and all her stuff was still there.  It was freezing out, and there was no way she was was sleeping without it.  I got up and began the search around midnight.  I walked through the various camps in the dark calling her name.  Everyone, leaders included, were out cold from the long day.  I noticed a priesthood brother awake and told him the situation.  He joined me in the search.  Another 30 minutes passed and still no Ericka.  I finally woke the stake YM president in charge.  He joined the search at around 1:00 in the morning was about to wake the entire camp, when we found her squashed into a mummy bag with her friend.  I finally got to bed around 1:30 in the morning.   

DAY 2

The next day the stake made an announcement that all kids were required to stay with their families! We ate a yummy oatmeal breakfast and then loaded up our handcarts and waited, and waited and waited.  We finally headed out, and walked down a hill, and they stopped us again for the next 3 hours to play some pioneer games.  It was a long hot day in the sun.   

After the games were over we were very hot and tired.  We then found out that our group was the last to leave out trekking that day and would be the last to arrive at camp.  We waited for 2 hours for our turn to start on the trail.

We were so excited to finally get on the trail, that we caught up with the group in front of us, and had to wait again.  About every mile we went there was a leader prepared to speak and give us pioneer experiences.  The first stop, they talked to us about the handcart companies at one point only having 4 oz. of flour (1/2 a cup) to mix with water and sustain them for the day.  They gave each of the kids 4 oz. of flour and encouraged them to try it. The next experience taught us about sharing what we had with the entire family.  They had oranges, but not enough for everyone.  We being the last group had plenty for all of us, because all the groups ahead of us had taken less to make sure others would have some. The third, was walking barefoot.  This was no problem for Logan our little 14 year old.  He had worn new shoes on trek, and they were hurting him so bad that half way through the first day of trek, he had taken them off and walked in his socks the entire rest of the time.

A tendon in Garrett's foot was causing him a lot of pain and he hobbled into camp that night.  Our entire family was tired and grumpy, and when they told us to set up camp clear at the other end of the campground it was rough.  At our family devotional that night one of our daughters brought up our ingratitude and we all realized how blessed we were to have potty's, people cooking our food, and water.  

That evening a folk band entertained the camp and a dance was held.  Kimball and Jaden jumped right in, but Kody was happy to watch.  

The only other drama we had that evening was when Ericka faked sick and tried to be sent home.  The boys in our family apprised me of her plan though, and the medic didn't fall for it.

DAY 3

It was another very cold night, and the 5:30 wake up call for testimony meeting came fast.

It was a beautiful 3 hour testimony meeting, then we hurriedly packed up, ate breakfast and were ready for the last 6 miles to meet our families. 

 

It was very emotional walking into pinto with our family lining the street.  I just imagined how those handcart pioneers must have felt to have finally made it to help and an end to their weary journey.  Our ward family was there waiting for us with a BBQ all set up. 

Katie saved the day again, and after a one day caring for a diabetic tutorial, took care of the girls for 3 days.  She did a great job!