I decided not to take my camera on the trek. It was a hard decision, but let me tell you how HAPPY I am that I didn’t. I’ll get to the reasons why in a minute. First of all, pretty much everything on me hurts. Putting on shoes this morning for church was downright painful. Second of all, I now know why pioneer women look like this:
…because they seriously had to be the toughest women ever.
Our church stake combined with another (approx. 150 kids ages 14-18) headed out with actual handcarts (weighing about 800lbs with all the gear) on a 25+ mile trek that Geoff and I will never forget. We were put into “families” of 10, and Geoff and I were the Ma and Pa. We all wore pioneer getups which meant bonnets, bloomers, aprons, dresses, suspenders for the boys and hats. We were bused up to the location where we were to start treking (which was kind of funny because I’m pretty sure people thought we were the Texas polygamist children being returned to their families!). It was a beautiful place out in the middle of nowhere with sagebrush, hills, fields of wildflowers and tall grass. I did wish I had my camera then, until it started raining…we set up camp just in time for the heavens to open and rain, all night, and the next day until the afternoon when the blessed sun came out. Geoff and I barely slept that night because the wind was so loud, oh, and because I might as well have been sleeping in a swimming pool. Despite our tents, pretty much everyone got soaked through their sleeping bags, making for a bitterly cold night and next day. At that point I was thinking they’d end the trek and send us all home. Not so. We packed up our stuff and headed out for a 12 mile trek up steep hills and through the mud. Thankfully, our kids were downright amazing and I barely heard a complaint. The sun came out when we reached our destination for that day and we were able to dry out most of our things. The next day-more rain, more wind, but through it all, we were able to really bond together as a group and increase our testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The next day, not rain, but SNOW!!! It was almost comical at this point, aside from the fact that I couldn’t feel my toes, that part wasn’t funny. On the final trek back to our destination, it actually started hailing.
It was an extremely amazing time for Geoff and I. I learned so much about the Pioneers and all they went through to get to the Salt Lake Valley, their hardships, their triumphs and their loses. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a mix of so many emotions in three days. Laughing till my stomach hurt with our family playing Chubby Bunny at night, crying while watching my girls struggle to pull the handcart by themselves up a steep hill while the men had to looked on (simulating when the men were called away to war as the Mormon Battalion), and developing true respect and admiration for those who have gone before and sacrificed so much.
If you have the opportunity to go, go. Just check the weather forecast.
Wow, what an amazing experience!!! I think I’ll skip going and live through your experience. I do wish that you had a picture of you and Geoff in your get-up. You’ll have to take one just for memories. You will now be mom’s favorite child being a true pioneer woman (from head to toe)!
I was worried about you guys when it was freezing cold down here all week. I guess you got to experience the real deal eh?
Oh dear- apparently you did get the ‘real’ with the weather. You do have to take a picture with your cute outfit on- mom did such a good job. I laughed so hard about your texas polygamist comment…
I know…I was thinking of you guys all week when it was freezing here…seriously, it’s June, people! Glad you had such an amazing time though. I’ll have to tell you about my trek sometime…
What an incredible experience. Despite the unbelieveable hardships, (seriously, snow?!) I’m a bit envious! I would love to go on a pioneer trek some day. This is something I’m sure you’ll not soon forget.
I went on one of these when I was a youth. Truly a great memory despite how incredibly challenging it was. I think its so important to teach our youth that they can do hard things!
wow! you’re a saint to do that. that would really be hard with that weather. i remember doing a trek when i was in young womens. i think one is enough for me..p.s. awesome wedding pics! love them!
yes- so glad our youth program does this for the kids to experience- and way to go being a ma and pa- that’s quite a lot when you are actually a real ma and pa to little ones at home!
Those pioneer women must have been tough! I went on 2 treks as a youth. We had a little rain but didn’t get dumped on. I am glad that you enjoyed it even though it was hard.
I’m not even sure what to say, except get some rest woman. You have been so busy. I honestly don’t know if I could have made the trek. Seriously crazy. I would have complained the whole time and wanted to ride in the cart and not push and cried when it snowed. You guys are tough!
I’m pretty sure that given the chance to go west in those days, I would have just stayed in the east! I’m not sure I have it in me. Ha!
What an experience, it will be one that you will never forget and I bet you were able to grow in such a way that you wouldn’t have been able to do anywhere else. Sorry it was such crappy weather, but glad it was a good experience
oh wow leah. what an awesome experience. the weather as bad as it was probably made you guys that much more appreciative and made the experience all the more realistic.So cool.