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.

Pioneer Day

I used to live in Utah and remember Pioneer Day as quite a holiday with parades and get togethers. Outside of Utah, we celebrate (not a day off from work!) without grand parades, but still we remember just the same, those who followed the prophet, and came west, some not knowing how far or how long the journey would take. They only had the necessities, and some less than that. But most possessed a faith that never wavered. As I ponder today, and will celebrate on Saturday, I will be eternally grateful for those men, women, and children, who we call the Mormon Pioneers. Some made the journey to Salt Lake in the 1840's and 1850's. And today there are many modern day Mormon Pioneers, who, like those in days of old, are exercising their own faith, and joining with us! Hurrah for Israel!

Buying Time

It seems to me that the word time is a part of many phrases, and when you stop and think about them, many are interesting to consider.
Take buying time for example. I haven't seen it available anywhere, but I'm a discount shopper, so maybe I'm looking in the wrong places. If I buy a watch or a clock, am I buying time? Or does buying time mean that I am a procrastinator, or unorganized, or over scheduled?
What about the phrases: "haven't got time", "out of time", "saving time", "wasting time", "spending time", "making time", "marking time", and lastly, "time is money". I came accross this quote by M. Scott Peck,"Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it". It has been a "long time" since I "took time" to write anything. I just "haven't had time". The reality is that this really hasn't been a priority, because I truly do value my time, especially when I can give it to others! I will try and spend more time keeping you posted, that is, if time allows!