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Monday, June 23, 2008

put your shoulder to the wheel, push along.

well the weatherman certainly didn't disappoint. it was HOT out there this weekend, but we had a great time. granted, i don't think i want to do it again next weekend. but overall, it was a wonderful experience. so much happened, it's hard to describe without recounting every single aspect of our weekend. to give you the big picture, jeffy & i, & a group of kids (ages 14-18) worked together as a family to pull a handcart, loaded with all of our supplies, about 10 miles. we encountered numerous obstacles: hard uphill climbs, lots of dirt, steep downhill slopes (which proved even harder than going up), indians, bugs & heat. at one point we "lost" all of our men & the women were left behind, to fend for ourselves. & we did all this, dressed in traditional pioneer clothes & carrying our baby (a doll with an egg inside).

it was amazing to see a group of people, who hardly knew one another, learn to work together so quickly & efficiently. despite the incredible heat (which was usually about 110 degrees), they were happy... singing songs, chanting cheers, telling stories & jokes. never did i hear a complaint or grumble escape the lips of anyone. at one point, in order to escape the heat, we found ourselves hiking through the night. & even though we could only see for a few feet out in front, which made it impossible to avoid large rocks & ruts, making our journey quite a bit more difficult - still, no one complained. instead, i saw genuine compassion & concern exhibited for each, & by each member of the group. i was amazed at the tenderness with which they treated our "baby" & impressed to the great lengths everyone (including the boys) went to, to keep her safe.

this was truly an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. i have learned things... about me, about my hubby, & about life in general, that i probably would never otherwise learned. and although my experience cannot compare to those experiences of the true pioneers who crossed the plains so long ago, i now have an even greater respect for them, & am truly amazed at their faith, endurance & ability to constantly "press forward" being "steadfast & courageous".

26 comments:

Wendi said...

You. are. my. hero.

I could not have been a pioneer.
I could not have even pretended to be one.
I am the first to admit it.
I surely would have died right there on the trail.
Pathetic.
But true.

Misty said...

This is seriously the COOLEST thing ever... AWESOME! I want to do it!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you had a good experience. Looks like you had Max in you fam, he is so funny. Great pictures.

Jake said...

I remember being a "Ma" when my oldest were about your boys' ages. I dreaded going on the trek...but actually found it so much more relaxing than being home with my kids!

Go Trek!

Lindsey said...

I am glad you had such a wonderful experience. I have never heard of that being a bad one because it is so enlightening (hard as it may be!)

Heather said...

do your duty with a heart full of song.....
good job! glad you enjoyed yourself :0) i respect all of you for having done it :0)

Julie@My5monkeys said...

wow its looks like a great adventure of being a pioneer. Hope that it was fun.

Ashlee said...

What an awesome experience for you. They did that here a couple of years ago and everyone that went came back with a new perspective on things. Good for you for going!

Aranne and Dan said...

way to go girl! My stake did this for girls camp last year but fortunately (unfortunately...) I didn't have to do it!!

The Shabby Princess said...

Am going to have that in my head all day...but, hey, if I'm going to have something stuck in my head, might as well be an inspiring church song, right?

That's so wonderful that you had a good time. I've always chickened out--you've given me new resolve!

Thimbleanna said...

You were probably joking in your previous post about us being jealous, but truly -- I. Am. So. Jealous! I would LOVE to do something like that!!!

Heidi said...

WOW! thats all i have to say...

Meagan said...

It's good to hear you had a great experience. I got to go last year to our stake's and it was truly something that will stick with me forever.

Traci said...

Oh so glad to hear you enjoyed your experience on trek. It's an amazing thing, everyone should do it, I think. Just like you said you learn so much about yourself and others and the respect you have for the pioneers too!
Glad you survived the heat- I bet your shower felt great when you got home!!!

aaron and allee said...

Very cool! I am not sure I would have survived the heat in those clothes! Our trek was in Northern Utah (a few years ago) and I thought it was super hot there. How long were you on the trail?

Marilee said...

My sister is doing this with her stake in 2 weeks. She is really looking forward to it.Sounds like it was a great experience.

Val said...

I'm glad you had a great time. Our trek was last year and my son wasn't able to go because we had family in town we had never met before. I don't think he was too sad but I was, I think this is a great experience for the youth.

love.boxes said...

I'm with Wendi.. you didn't have a complainer because I wasn't there! But, I am sure impressed!

Anonymous said...

Way to go!

Tonya Staab said...

WOW, well done. I'm seriously impressed. I don't know that I would have held up. I'm so glad that you had such a wonderful experience.

cindylou said...

That is such a neat thing to experience!! I would love to try something like that. I think that I would be a great pioneer, but I bet once I got on the trail, I would learn many new things about life and myself.

Erica said...

I remember my pioneer trek and just loved it. Congrats and great job!! I am sure you guys made a great Ma and Pa!

My Two Army Brats said...

Wow! That's really cool. I would love to attempt and adventure like that. I'm pretty sure I couldn't hack it in the pioneer days. And the heat, well lets just say I miss Alaska badly so I would have surely melted.

Kellie said...

Wow! I would not have made it two hours let alone an entire weekend! I am seriously impressed!

Julie said...

That is so cool. My husband and I had a chance to do this about maybe 10 years ago and what an experience. It trully makes you appreciate your heritage and the sacrifices that they made for our beliefs.
I am so glad you were able to be part of this.

Sharon Murphy said...

I can't sleep and I am blog hopping--don't ask my how I found this interesting post. I just got back from the Willie Center and trek--our ward went on July 1-3. We camped where the 13 froze to death and died. My 3 X great grandparents and children were on the Willie Company------check out my pictures:
www.srmurphy.blogspot.com