Alexis' Joke

Alexis remembered this joke from years, and I mean years ago. "Dad, see if you can find that joke, you know, the one with a tree, and a smudge, and a dog?" "What?" "You know, the Sven joke" Well, we found it...
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A Norwegian man wants a job, but the foreman doesn't want to hire him and decides to make the Norwegian pass a "math" test. "Here's your first question, the foreman said. "Without using numbers, represent the number 9.""Without numbers?" the Norwegian says, "Dat is easy." and proceeds to draw three trees."What's this?" the boss asks."Ave you got no brain? Tree and tree and tree make nine," says the Norwegian"Fair enough," says the boss. "Here's your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99."The Norwegian stares into space for awhile, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree. "Ere you go."The boss scratches his head and says, "How on earth do you get that to represent 99?""Each of da trees is dirty now. So, it's dirty tree, and dirty tree, and dirty tree. Dat is 99."The boss is getting worried that he's going to actually have to hire this Norwegian, so he says, "all right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100."The Norwegian stares into space some more, then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of each of the three trees and says, "Ere you go. One hundred."The boss looks at the attempt. "You must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!" (Thought you'd like this one)The Norwegian leans forward and points to the marks at the base of each tree and says, "A little dog come along and crap by each tree. So now you got dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a turd, and dirty tree and a turd, which makes one hundred... So, when I start?!"

Arriving in "Zion"

As we hit the trail for the last 6 miles, the day and a half of rest and recovery had re-energized the youth. We left a little ahead of schedule and within 45 minutes we had gone 2 miles. We needed to take a long break so that we didn't arrive too soon to our destination where the families of the youth would be to greet them and take them home.

At our second rest stop, we had a vignette that was a portrayal of Ephraim Hanks that was done by Bishop Lybbert, who I interpreted to be an ancestor of Bro Hanks. He did a wonderful job, especially since it was last minute! After a lengthy rest, we were ready for the last mile and half or so. As we came into view of the waiting families, we sang the first verse of Come Come Ye Saints and also the first verse of The Spirit of God, alternating back and forth until the entire group of twenty handcarts had circled. The trail boss then told js that the trek was finished and that we were dismissed to be with our families. It is incredible how close you can get to these youth in just three and a half days. We have another family now that we really do care about and hope that they all continue making the best choices in life. We love you kids!

The Sabbath

Even though it was Thursday, it was treated like the Sabbath, and of course, a change of clothes is in order! No showers, only baby wipes to help clean up with and no make-up either! After breakfast we had a general meeting where Pres Blodgett spoke to the youth about the importance of their patriarchal blessings. Then the men relocated for their priesthood meeting while the women had their relief society meeting. After lunch there was another afternoon of good activities that were appropriate for the "Sabbath". For dinner that night we had a big BBQ with chicken, corn on the cob, pie, and watermelon. That night we had a fireside where there were some musical talents shared along with our Stake President Mickelsen speaking. After his remarks, a testimony meeting began. Within just a few minutes, the youth were lined up awaiting a chance to bear their testimonies with at least a 30 minute wait to get to the mic. There were mostly simple testimonies that were very powerful, a few silly ones that we could have done without, and a couple of testimonies that were quite emotional. A great way to end the last night on the trek.

Sleepy Heads

Zach and Miguel
Curtis....King Tutt
Josh
Layna, Gabby, Courtney, and Ma (Kira left this night for another activity)

The Second Day

Day 2 started quite early for some who couldn't sleep, and it was quite chilly just as the sun was coming up, maybe around 50 degrees? We got up and started breakfast, bacon and eggs, and pancakes. We used charcoal and dutch ovens for cooking which made it a little more authentic. After breakfast, we loaded up our handcart again and hit the trail. There was a reporter in camp from the TC Herald along with a photographer that wrote a nice article http://www.tri-cityherald.com/901/story/258613.html that also has a video (slow to load) and a gallery of pictures. Alexis can be seen in what photo, and our dutch ovens with our brass ID tags (thanks Bro Walker) made it the spread! The days journey was short, only 3 miles, but there were a couple of vignettes along the way. There were also 4 or 5 the first day that I forgot to mention. The vignettes were a nice touch and a break from the trail, even if only for a few minutes. The first one was a mother wanting someone to take her baby so that she could care for her dying husband. The second one was the portrayal of Porter Rockwell, bodyguard of the prophet. The actor gave a great message communicated by the spirit. Next was a young man who was carrying his little brother and they were begging for a drink of water. On the second day, there was another vignette that portrayed a famous mid-wife, Mary Sessions? I think was her name. Sis Goude from our ward did a great job and had a lot of factual information memorized to help tell her story. The last one of the second day was where they took the baby that we had adopted the day before and buried her, something that the pioneers experienced on occasion as well. The rest of the day after the short journey was pioneer activities with games and crafts. During our lunch break, a reporter from National Public Radio interviewed the kids in our family about the experience they were having, so that may be something to listen for. The interviewer was impressed with what she heard and at the end she asked if the kids would get a little crazy for her and lay on the tarp in the shape of the spokes on the wheel of the handcart. This picture is as close as they got!
The night ended with some square dancing and some "talent" along with some modern day music for a dance. It was getting pretty cool and fortunately for those of us who just wanted to go to bed, the speaker system blew out, so cookies and root beer were served and we all went to bed.

Teamwork

This was a nice little test that the groups had to figure out. Although the hill wasn't all that long, it was very steep and the sand/dirt was very loose and deep. The young men from three families teamed up to lower each of their handcarts down to the bridge, then turn it around, and get everyone in place and then they would run up the hill pushing and pulling the handcart. Each time, the young women and adults would loudly cheer them for their success.

Getting Started

Well here is our "Family". We started with a rhyming or nickname name game to get to know each other...Deara Kira, Fortney Courtney, King Tutt, Miguel on the Trail, Rah Rah Pa, La De Da Ma, Zach Attack, Happy Gabby, and Reigna Layna. One of our "sons" not pictured arrived the next morning after recovering from an illness...Josh. He never really got a nickname attached. After loading our handcarts, we hit the trail for a twelve mile journey that would take us up and down small hills, along dusty trails, around corn, wheat, potato, and onion fields. With about a mile and a half to go, the men were separated from the women to be a part of the Mormon Batallion while the women pulled the carts by themselves up a hill that was very sandy. This is a significant highlight that is heartwrenching on the part of both the men and women. At the conclusion of the day, a meal of soup and rolls at 10:30 pm and the camp was quickly prepared to bed down for the night. Sleeping under the stars was not to difficult as tired as everyone was, but the aches and pains some were suffering with and the allergies that others had, made for less than ideal rest.

Keep on Trekkin'

Ten of the youth from our ward decided to be a part of the Stake Pioneer Reenactment Trek. Here they are pictured waiting patiently to find out whose family they will belong to for the next four days. Brooks and I participated as a Ma & Pa and had a great experience. Both Alexis and Brooks endured the trek very well considering they were both sick...no it wasn't dysentary or cholera, but rather coughs and colds. Bronchitis knocked out Ma Walker from our ward, but Pa Walker came along and served as a Scout. The Finger's were also a Ma and Pa from our ward and Bro. Stewart was a Captain. All in all, our youth did pretty well, though we did have some challenges with upset stomaches, ingrown toe nails, and blisters.