Rough Riders or rough ridin'?

Our number came up to monitor a trek group on the National Historic Trail over Rocky Ridge. We were 9 1/2 hours and went 14 miles or so. The group took several breaks for various reasons and that's what saved us from being hauled IN in a handcart or hauled OUT by Life Flight. We're still a little sore and it's been 2 days. Ibuprofin helped a lot. There must have been a dozen ma's & pa's/kids say, "My parents would sure like to do a mission like this." We didn't do monitoring in 2005 when we were here before.

Rocky Ridge is a climb of 700 ft in 2 miles. Imagine doing it in sub zero weather, in a snow storm. The rocks are pretty worn down where the kids are on the trail but in the other picture you can see better how the rocks are standing on end. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Many different groups used this trail including: Mormon Pioneers, Oregon, California and Pony Express. The miracle of the Willie Company (and the Martin Co. too) is that any one at all lived through this ordeal. The Lord was watching over and protecting them. There was much of sadness but many miracles and triumph of the human spirit. We too, can trust in the Lord during our trials and though he doesn't remove them like we would like, sometimes, He still is blessing us. Lives are being changed including our own.

Our youth of the noble birthright are still 'Mormon Pioneers'. Hurrah for Israel!!!

6th Crossing Celebration

Veldon gave his reading by John Mitchum, "America, Why I Love Her" and everyone went outside to retire five or six worn out flags, with all due respect. The veterans in the picture from left to right are mostly Elders: Dastrup, Kaiser's son, Coe, Mitten, Noble, Charles (neighbor), Seymore & Kotter. Aren't these the cutest pictures of Kaisers g-kids? We sure miss being with our grand kids. Elder Misken (our fearless leader) is saying, "Rachel, get in. Rachel, Get In. Rachel, GET IN." I loved it. Kinda' like herdin' sheep. Miskin's have been here a year and a half. Their children came from all over the country for a family reunion here. (These probably won't be in the order I wanted them to be but I don't know how to rearrange them.)

Celebrating the 4th of July

The Bills family in Lander, WY puts on the most fabulous fire works with patriotic narrations and music. The missionaries (seniors and young ones) serve up free watermelon and ice cream before the fire works start. The scouts raised a hugh flag up on a crane. We tell everyone how we fire the anvil in Taylor, AZ. In the old movie, Shane, the old timers fire an anvil.

Popoagie Falls

For those of you who went to the Sinks while you were here, where the river goes underground and comes up at the rise, the Popoagie River is what makes the Sinks. It's strange how the river roars like a lion going into the Sinks and comes out like a lamb a quarter of mile further down but it takes 4 hours for the water to make the trip. They've dyed the water to see how long it takes.

We walked up to the Popoagie Falls, 1 1/2 miles each way. The elevation goes up 600 feet in one mile. It seems like climbing stairs forever. Up, up & up. There were a lot of hikers going and coming. One young man had been up on the mountain 4 nights. There was so much snow higher up that he couldn't go any further. The river is loud with the white water rapids screaming down through the canyon. Loved it. It was overcast most of the time and threatening rain, at least it thundered a lot. We carried black plastic bags in case it poured down. There's a place where they slide (sliderock) about a 20 ft drop into a pool. One group of kids had to 'save' their friend from drowning. The river's too high to be fooling around in it now. Awful cold too. It is really spectacular and worth all the effort to get there. The pictures don't do it justice. Just can't get it all in one shot. Come see it for yourself.

Trekkers

Friday, June 27th, was a biiiggg day for us. Elder Seymore talked to 4 trek groups and I talked to four -- we tell them the story of the rescue of the Willie Company. Close to 800 in those 8 groups. The bridge the trekkers are going over was built in Dec. '05 by the Elders while we were here. They used floor jacks on the ice to keep it level while they ran the bolts through the poles to keep it altogether. One girl was on crutches -- reminded me of Chantz doing his trek on crutches. One of the boys said, "I danced with you last nite." We help with the Virginia Reel and Oh, Johnny, Oh. For the younger generation, that's old fashioned dances. We go from talks, dancing, cleaning toilets, spreading dirt, painting--you name it, we do it. We had about 1500 trekkers during the week. We just hope they take something from here that will help them throughout their lives.

Flake's/Pony Express

We had a really nice treat when the Flake tribe showed up for the Pony Express Ride they did. Tawna Flake-Posegate and her dad Sank did a fireside for the 6th Crossing/Willie Site Missionaries. Tawna has the coolest electric violin and she knows just how to make it sing. Wow! They camped a couple of nites in the family campground and boarded their beautiful paint horses in the pasture. Shae & Yvette's family was delightful. The Pony Express switched riders in the parking lot of the Willie Welcome Center around 9pm. They come flyin' in and then the next rider bails on his horse and away he goes. It was all very exciting. Sank, Shae & Derek rode from Jeffrey City (20 miles east of here) to Alcova (about 40 miles this side of Casper). The four in their group rode over 2 miles each and then switched horses and riders from about 11 pm to 5am. I'd guess they rode about 50 miles altogether. Ask them, they'd love to tell you all about it. Derek has been in Doug's scout troop but he's turning 16 and moving on. Little Melanie said, "I'll tell Brynn I saw you." So cute. So good to see someone from home.

Guess who came to the Willie Site/6th Crossing? We knew one of the Elko Nevada Stakes was coming and knew that Carmen and Lenn's son, Lee Shumway, is a stake president in Elko-- yep it was his stake and he said they had a wonderful time and spiritual experiences and he's bringing his family back in the future --distant future (they have a missionary coming home and a daughter getting married and the Shumway reunion at their place) to go over Rocky Ridge. The youth did baptisms in the Salt Lake Temple for their own ancestors on their way home. Their stake had a close encounter with a couple who is Scootin' Across America--he's riding one of those bikes that you lay down on and she is driving a pretty small motorized scooter pulling a little trailer. They stayed an extra day here and went part way on Elko's trek. Kool. Mr. or Mrs. Majka writes everyday on their website:majka.us (click on journals, click on Muddy Gap, Wy to Mormon Handcart Visitors Center and return & Muddy Gap to Sweetwater Station, Wy (that's where we are). It's interesting, hope you take time to look at their site. It's mostly right on and from an outsider's perspective it's great. Has some great pictures. They committed to read the Book of Mormon and "We will" they said on their site. We visited and ate turkey dinner with them --that he writes about. I like the part when he explains our pack it in/pack it out garbage policy--then he says something like it's o.k. if you have 6 support vechicles along with you. You can't believe the stuff people bring up here. Last week one group brought a refrigerated semi-truck. You can't believe what a stake president remembers from his time in Webelos Den--making a little red tool box when Elder Seymore was den leader. It was such a treat to see the Shumway's, Pres. Lee, Becky and daughter Miriam (isn't she Shumway all over or does she look more like her mom?) The missionaries were very impressed by this stake.

We spent June 10-18th at Rock Creek Hollow (28 miles from the Willie Center over the NHT & about 70 miles around by the highway) with The Nobles. They are from Pinedale, Wy. He's an 'ol rancher and their 1st wedding anniversary is in July. We had a great time. We had four groups come in, two groups stayed overnite. The National Historic Trail isn't open until July 1st for trekkers to go over Rocky Ridge so they come by bus and car. Rock Creek Hollow is where the common grave of 13 members of the Willie Handcart Company are buried. Great stories (Tell My Story Too by Jolene Allpin). We gave the Willie Story to a group, climbed up on top of the cliff & looked down on the baby eagle (he's always named Willie), went for 3 -four mile hikes before Elder Seymore got blisters on both feet. Missionaries have to accompany/moniter the groups on the NHT when it opens. The Elders were covering up badger holes--big ones. Don't you just love those Wind River Mountains. We can see them from our RV at the Willie Center. Great sight & beautiful sunsets too!

I know -- June all but gone. Everytime I try to use the computer the server can't be found, my account is messed up or I lost my list of what I wanted to do. We came to the Willie Site/6th Crossing on May 30th. The 14 couples we are serving here with are fabulous. They made us feel so welcome and there is a lot of com-rod-eree here. People who have a lot of sense of humor. Five of us sisters walked over to the Pilgrim Book Store (better know as: Old Books / Fresh Eggs) to look at Polly & Linda's new baby colt. This Thurs. 26th Sr. Freeman & I were coming from cleaning toilets when we saw 4 ewes and 8 babies. We got all but 1 mama and 2 babies in to Polly's then it was a rodeo. Now the 64 thousand dollar question is: How many missionaries does it take to round up 3 lousy sheep?

Me, With Hair

I can't get the hang of putting things in order, solly. Fixed my hair for a change. Don't look like a peeled onion for a change.

On the way to Wyoming

Then thanks to cell phones we met Joycelen, Pete, David and his two girls at the Flyin J at Rawlins, WY. They live in Omaha, Nebraska and had been to Kylie's high school graduation in Logan, Utah. They were pulling a U-Haul trailer with Kaylynn and Joes goods that didn't fit in the Ryder truck Joe was driving to Omaha. Joe has been working in Omaha and now the fam is moving out since Kylie has graduated. Joycelen is feeling so much better.

We spent 4 nites in Roosevelt, Utah at Geri and Neil Neilson's. Had a lovely time. Danny and Jeannie Roth came over from Kaysville, Utah. We're so thankful Jeannie is recovering well from her kemo treatments, Danny from having a stint put in his heart, Neil recovering from his surgery and me from shingles or some kind of bites (30-40 of them around my middle). We laughed a lot about our 'organ recitals' and other old folks jokes. It was so good to be with our wonderful friends again.

Lacy and Mike have a picture book home, neat as a pin and they are happy as two little bugs in a rug in Roosevelt, Utah. Was sooo good to see them. They are so cute together. Lacy showed us what she has learned to play on her violin since she got it at Christmas time.

We made it to Gallup, NM and the wind was blowing so hard we spent 2 nites at Allie and Allen's.

Braggin' on Brinni

Brynn was in a Math Multiplication Show Down at her school on Friday, May 9th. They started with about 30 kids and I think there was 6 or 8 standing when she gave up her 5th token. Very good Brynne Sue. She was 2nd in her 3rd grade Spelling Bee awhile back, I think, correct me if I'm wrong. We kept looking for her to be in the newspaper but they skipped that class. They have 4 3rd grades, I think.

Another Blessing

Ashlynn was baptized and confirmed yesterday, May 10th, by her daddy. Her 8th birthday was the 23rd of April. Three other children was also b & c. I especially liked Ashlynn's testimony on the program: I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know President Monson is our prophet now. I know I'm a child of God and he loves me. Jesus is my Savior, I try to follow his example and do what the Prophet says. Ashlynn.

Cyndee, Brynn and Ashton rode down and back with us. We're going to miss being with the ggbaby, the g-kids and kids for the next 3 months. We love the fun times we spend together.

Back to Taylor

Came home from QC on May 7th, Tricia's BD. Happy Birthday to you, Tric. Trent performed in Show Choir at the auditorium. He did a bang up job singing his heart out and dancing.

P.S. Thanks to the Gillespies for all of their hospitality, trailer space, food, laughs and fun for the past few months.

Daddy-Daughter-Date

Veld took Shan and Rae to their Daddy Daughter Date Tues. May 6th (Alex was hunting ferral boars in Texas). The girls were wonderful to their Papa and showed him the time of his life. Rae even led the bunny hop. They had their pic taken on a Harley. (This guy in their ward borrowed it from his brother and the brother didn't let him have the key to it---smart guy---he didn't want some inexperienced driver to wreck it, ya think?) Shan & Papa did the 3legged race, put lipstick on S, blew up bubble gum before they got to run back. Mayann made this 50's skirt for Cam when she was little, little. Some little girl at the party could get it zipped and was happy to wear it.

Everyone discusses which year of marriage is the hardest. Well Veldon hit the nail on the head when he said, "The first 45 years are the hardest." When he said it, we all had a good laugh. I guess we're always starting over with I'm sorry, I love you, please forgive me stuff. Whoever said you live happily ever after -- lied. It's the biggest challenge of LIFE. Loving those we are blessed to live with. It's like what Allie and Allen's kids had on a banner at their 40th anniversary, "Seems like an eternity already." Hopefully we have more good days than bad. Well we celebrated out anniversary in Mexico with Cyndee and Doug for the first of the week and the Gillespie's the last of the week of May 3rd. Our 45th anniversary. After all that, I have to say, Veldon is my #1 choice for eternity, still. Chantz did you post a pic of your fam, I don't have a together one. We all really liked this place, Mayan Palace, 20 miles from Rocky Point. It's on the ocean away from vendors etc. Cyndee and Doug played tennis, so did Todd and the kids, we swam and sunned by the pool and ocean, flew Ashlynn's kite. The boys long boarded for 30 seconds until they were stopped by the gestapo. Then they put an ice chest on it and road it in the hall by the elevator. G's built sand castles with a mexican fam from Tiajuana. "This is an international effort" the mex friend said. Nice, nice people. We especially liked just hanging out and not being run to death tired by the time we came home.