Stake Trek

Kaylie and I just completed a 4 day experience of a lifetime. We went to the Martin Cove area in central WY and did a handcart Trek with the Youth of our Stake. Kaylie had an incredible experience, socially, emotionally, physically and most importantly Spiritually. You can not be in those areas without feeling something special. I was sick most of the time which limited the activities I could participate in, but it was still very neat to be there and be part of it. Here is a sampling of what we saw.

Devil's Gate, just East of Martin's Cove where the 500 plus handcart pioneers from the Martin Company huddled up for 5 days to let the severe winter storm pass by.



The Upper Meadow deep in Martin's Cove, somewhere near here, over 50 people died and were buried during that storm.

A far away glance at Martin's Cove.

Kaylie, decked out in Pioneer dress, ready to go walk through Martin's Cove.

Our tent city, 275 people, at the 6th Crossing of the Sweetwater River in WY. This is about 60 miles west of Martin's Cove and is where the 400 plus members of the Willie Handcart Company suffered through that same storm. I was responsible for equipment on this trip, and the tents were the biggest challenge. Just getting 60 usable tents, then getting them organized, set up, and then taken down and up again each day (Very windy afternoons) was a lot of work.

View west of the 6th Crossing to the Wind River mountain range just north of South Pass and the continental divide.

Our Handcarts all lined up ready to go.

Kaylie with her family at her cart. The group of 275 people were split into 19 "Families" for the Trek and they did almost everything together. I heard from the adults in Kaylie's family how delightful and uplifting it was to have her in their group. 

Long train of handcarts heading out Friday morning for a 10 mile pull.

This meadow is the actual spot the Willie Company was in during the storm and when they were found by the rescue wagons.

Willie Meadow.

Kaylie and Dad just about ready to head home. Zoom in on the pic if you want to see the facial portion of Dad's outfit (1 week without shaving.)

Right before loading the buses to head home Saturday morning, after a few touching testimonies about the experience, the leaders asked Kaylie to sing a solo, "Come Take Your Place". It is a Hillary Weeks song and happened to be our Theme for the Trek. Kaylie did awesome, so touching and moving despite being windblown, dusty and tired. Spontaneously during the song, the entire company of 275 people stood up and linked arms in one giant grouping. Most were crying at the sweet yet powerful spirit that was there. (Thanks to Uncle Jason for his recorded accompaniment, it sounded perfect.)