TREK - July 29 and July 30

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Tuesday Morning, July 29, was rainy, super windy and cold.  The temperature didn't get over 57 degrees that day. 

L to R:  Stake Pres. David Christensen, Sister Vicky Smith, Caldwell 11th Ward Bishop Ken Smith

Despite the weather, everyone was in good spirits.

This site was very desolate and vast - no wonder the snows inundated the Willie Handcart Company.

Incredible.

Photos don't do justice to how truly steep and rocky this trail is ... huge, jagged rocks to go over, holes in the trail that swallowed up the handcart wheels, ledges and boulders, and we saw ruts in the rocks where many handcarts wheels had passed.

We really felt the Spirit at this marker.  Such tragedy for so many, young and old.

We were glad to finally arrive at camp, ready for a hot meal, dry socks, and to reflect upon all that we saw and felt today.

Everything was so wet that Steve had to start a fire at camp with a giant propane blow torch.  Boy, did that campfire feel GOOD!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

Wednesday's weather was beautiful.  Scattered clouds, sunny and much warmer.  Today we trek to Martin's Cove.

This site is hallowed ground.  Everyone walked here in silence, and the church missionaries serving here told us of the history and sacredness of this location.

These hills and sparse scattering of trees offered the only shelter for our pioneers.

SWEETWATER CROSSING MEMORIAL

Names of the rescuers who stepped forward to carry nearly every member of the handcart company across the Sweetwater River, which was filled with ice.

detail of statue

We then reenacted the Sweetwater Crossing, YM carrying the YW across, and bringing every handcart across, as well.

On to the Women's Pull.  Very emotional.

All the YM and their leaders left the girls and climbed the hill.  They were given a short lecture, and then lined each side of the hill with their hats on their hearts, standing and observing in silence.  Steve said he could hear many girls whimpering as they pulled their handcarts.

This hill is STEEP.  I was so grateful for strong YW who dug deep and literally dragged me up the hill with them!  I can't imagine what it must have been like for our pioneer mothers and daughters who had to do this hill on their own in the middle of winter.

Two of the girls in our ward decided to do the Women's Pull in bare feet.

After a long, emotional day we were rewarded with the most beautiful sunset EVER!  We had a Stake Fireside after dinner, and then individual Ward devotionals before bed.