Sunday, July 5, 2009

This past week Adam and Emily and I had the opportunity to participate in a re-enactment of a pioneer trek. We spent 4 days pretending we were pioneers and experiencing the hardships that come with that. One day we walked 15 miles. We walked the Rocky Ridge, went through mud bogs, crossed the Sweetwater River, and the boys called out for the Mormon Batallion which left the girls to push and pull the handcarts up a sandy hill. We camped 3 nights, played pioneer games, and had our lives changed forever. I have to say that this experience ranks in the top 10 of spiritual experiences in my life. I learned that I love Wyoming more that ever. To live in place where so many sacred things happened and where so much sacrafice took place is a real priviledge.
This was a wet and muddy moment. We were all wet and sandy. Real life for the pioneers.
Adam is helping a young lady across the Sweetwater River. This was a very sweet experience. Before crossing the river we were told the story of the young men who helped the Martin's Company people across the river.
Emily is being carried across the Sweetwater River at the place where the young men helped the Martin's Company across when it was icy and cold. This was a very sacred moment in our trek thinking about those pioneers who were cold and distraught just thinking about crossing the river. The youth were very reverent and respectful of this moment.
Emily was such a trooper! She is a strong and sturdy girl! We crossed seven mud bogs, some easier than others.