Saturday, July 18, 2009

Ma and Pa are back from Trek

Well, Dad and I just got back from our Stake Pioneer Trek. We were Ma and Pa to 10 great kids. The ages ranged from 17 to 12 years. We had a handcart to pull as a family with all our gear. Just like the pioneers. We even went on our trek in the same area that they would of traveled the last stretch before coming to the SL valley. We spent 4 days on this trek and covered about 20 miles. 10 of which was on the first day. Lots of hills and dry dusty HOT trails. It was very hard! We did not see a tree pretty much the whole time. Our family faired pretty well, but many had blisters, sprained ankles, and heat problems. But as you can see from the picture, we ate pretty darn well. That was our third day breakfast. Sausage, eggs, potatos and cheese....YUM
We camped and made our own shelter with a big tarp and the handcart. Some nights were better than others. our kids loved to sleep under the stars mostly. It was so hot during the day that we thought we would die, and then it was freezing at night. The dew caused us to have wet sleeping bags every morning. One morning, Gabby (one of our kids)'s sleeping bag had frost on it. We also slept among the dried cow pies (:
My family were good trekers.... the handcart was very heavy and some of the hills were a bit steep. Really good kids!!! We had a couple of strong boys and some strong girls. They were real troopers. IT WAS HARD!!!



We also had a girl that had damaged her knee and could not walk. So we put her on top. We only went about an hour that way before leaders in charge of the land ( a couple missionary cause it is church owned land) said we could not do that. She had to be pulled in a seperate handcart. 2 or 3 of us then helped with that. I have to say that I felt my 56 years on this trek and realized just how out of shape I am. It was a very good experience. We did a lot of family things together and had a good time. We had some super kids to work with.
This is our family on the last day ready to do the last few miles and go home. I must say, that I am glad to be home now and on to the other exciting things coming up in our lives.




7 comments:

Catherine said...

Oh-my-gosh! At least at the end you found the promised land! (and it had porta potties!) yeah! no kidding...good work! This is Catherine...still don't know who "P" is

Rachel Ure said...

go mom! go dad! I know this was taxing in many ways- but you did it!!! can't wait to hear more of the hairy and neat details.

Rachel Ure said...
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Rebekah said...

I know it was hard, but it looks so fun (in that neat kind of way). I bet those kids loved you guys. What cool things to be doing.
While you were doing that i was home alone with the boys and David headed off to girl's camp--funny, huh?!

Josh said...

you guys were probably the funnest mom and dad on the trek! i hope it was a good experience for you and the kids!

Annie and Jake Callister said...

Looks like fun Ma and Pa. It also looks like your ankle survived the experience Mom! Hurray. I remember my trek very vividly. It was fantastic!

Daniel and Angie Callister said...

We wondered if you guys would survive the heat. Looks like a good experience, way to go!