Gretchen's House: Pioneer Trek 2016

In July Todd and I, Ethan, and Cora had the opportunity to go on Pioneer Trek at Martin's Cove in Wyoming. It was an amazing experience and one we will never forget.

For those unfamiliar with Trek it was a four day journey re-enacting the journey of the pioneer handcart companies of 1856. The preparation began almost a year before we left. Todd got to be part of the planning and was the head of the Youth Committee. It's quite a feet to organize a trip for 127 youth and leaders but they did an amazing job!

Our family prep was much easier. We each had to come up with 2 - 3 pioneer outfits to wear. That was my favorite part, coming up with pioneer clothes.

Cora made her bonnet and altered her skirt. Our dresses were some that I made for the Winter Quarters Musical a few years ago.

We each also had to research a pioneer ancestor and trek on their behalf. I chose to trek in memory of Margaret McCann Porritt. She and 3 of her children were in the Martin Handcart Company and had to be rescued. I felt her spirit as I trekked and was so touched to find her name on the wall in the visitors center.

The other thing we had to do was decorate our 5 gallon buckets so we could find them among the other 120 buckets. I used my digital cutter and we each had fun choosing what to put on our buckets. The buckets were what we had to pack in. Each person got a 5 gallon bucket and a large garbage bag. The bucket was for clothing and other necessities and the garbage bag was for bedding. That's it!

The group met at 5:00 am the first day. We were split up into "families" with a Ma and Pa and Aunt and Uncle. The Ma and Pa were in charge of the kids and the Aunt and Uncle were there for support. Todd and I were Aunt and Uncle with Aunts helping with food service and Uncles helping with equipment. Ethan and Cora were in 2 different families. Ethan got to be with Brother and Sister Player and Cora was with Brother and Sister Weller. Todd and I were together with the Ostermillers. We each had great families and got to make some new friends!

Once we were divided into families we set off for our first gas and potty stop. Our caravan was a sight to see. Nine 15 passenger vans and 4 trucks with trailers heading across the Wyoming wilderness!

It took us about 6 hours and we finally arrived at our first camp ground. Each family had their own van so it was a good time to get to know our new "family". We played games and got to know each other. The kids in our family were pretty quiet but what great kids they were.

After arriving at our first destination we got our first handcart and took off for our first trek. We went about 4 miles that day at Martin's Cove. We stopped at the rescuers statue and Todd did a little devotional there that was really nice.

At our first campground we got a taste of the Wyoming wind. It was so windy some of the tents blew down. I was worried we were all going to blow away that night. I'm happy to report that we all survived and I became very thankful for that wind. The hotter it got the next day the windier it got and that was a saving grace. Did you know there is not an ounce of shade anywhere in Wyoming?! No shade! In July! It was hot!

The second day we got to trek up into Martin's Cove where the Martin Company took shelter in an early snow storm. It's such a beautiful place.

The third day was the real test. We were to trek 10 miles that day at Willie's Meadow. When I volunteered to help with trek I didn't think I would actually be trekking. I thought I would be back at camp helping with food or something. A month or so before trek when I found out I would actually be trekking with the youth I wondered if I would actually be able to do it. When we got up on the 3rd day I was a little sore but decided I would be brave like those faithful pioneers and I would just do it. It was hard. I stared to get blisters but tried to take care of them. At every stop I took off my shoes and dumped out the sand but by the end I had blisters on the bottom of my feet and on a couple toes. I also had a couple toes that looked like I was going to loose the nails and in fact a couple weeks later the toenails did fall off. The first 7 or 8 miles were ok but the last 2 miles were really hard. I'm not sure I could have gone any farther than we did but I did it and it was amazing!

When we got back to camp I soaked my feet in my bucket and it felt so good! We all made it and had big smiles on our faces.

Cora got asked to play her flute at one of the river crossings. She did a beautiful job playing hymns as the rest of the group made the crossing.

Todd drying off after a river crossing

Ethan wet after crossing the river

The last night we had a fun square dance. The youth all complained and said they didn't want to dance but in the end they danced and had a great time.