Captain’s Log

Time: 10:08pm

Day 1 (11 May)

– Travel to Matin’s Cove.
– Weather: Cold and wet, snow on the lower hills.
– Campsite: Missionary campground Martin’s Cove.
– Update: Freezing cold wind. Snowed over night. Boys tent folded down under the snow. Picked up handcart. Made to feel very welcome by al the missionaries. Great for the boys to experience what it takes to get through on a bad night. Amazing to think that we had good clothes, an RV, and other modern equipment and froze if we spent to long outside, and the pioneers in worse weather were starving, poorly clothed, and had basic equipment.

Day 2 (12 May)

– Travel to Omaha (Mormon Trail Visitors Centre).
– Weather: Snow, ice, and rain. wet. Horrendous driving conditions in Wyoming. I80 closed for most of the morning after Lander, but opened just before we got there. Big thunder storm just out of Omaha, again driving very difficult.
– Campsite: N.P. Dodge Park, Omaha.
– Update: Very long day in the car, difficult driving conditions for much of the morning. Left handcart at Mormon Trail Centre and went to campground. Massive downpour while setting up tents. Tents saturated, had to sponge up the pools of water. Boys in bed by midnight, all safe and sound. Shari and Clive in bed by 1am.

Day 3 (13 May)

– Mormon Trail Visitors Centre, Omaha – Elkhorn (16miles).
– Weather: Cool and overcast early. Mild and sunny later.
– Campsite: Checkett family property.
– Update: Three missionary couples took photos and waved us off from the Mormon Trail Centre at 9:40am. Great feeling amongst the group. Walked past the Winter Quarters Temple and grave yard in the first minute. Hard going for most of the day. Lots of hills, small shoulders, and heavy ground with long grass on the side of the road. Boys and Shari were magnificent. It was very hard work over 10 hours and no one complained. Hosted by the Checkett family. What a wonderful crew. Fed us and made us feel very welcome. Everyone exhausted.

Day 4 (14 May)

– Elkhorn, Nebraska – Fremont, Nebraska (17 miles).
– Weather: Mild to warm and sunny.
– Campsite: State Lakes State Park, Fremont.
– Update: Mostly flat on good shoulders. Walked at a good steady pace, but took a three longish breaks. We started earlier and finished later, and know we walked faster and yet we only did one more mile than the day before. Everyone was totally demoralized. Shari was hurting big time, very sore legs, we were all very weary, and some had blisters. As we walked the last couple of miles I decided we needed a rest day to recover and evaluate the system. Can’t sustain the current effort. Lots of great people on the road, many have stopped to enquire and take photos. A train driver blow his horn for Michael. Despite the weariness there’s a good feel in the camp.

Day 5 (15 May)

– Rest Day, Fremont, Nebraska.
– Weather: Mild to warm and sunny.
– Campsite: State Lakes State Park, Fremont.
– Update:Had a great sleep in! Very relaxing campsite. Devised a new plan for walking. Instead of each individual walking the entire distance, the family as a whole will complete the task, but the walking will be rotated. Morning walkers leave at 7am (Shari, Brett, Conner, and Matt). Clive, Justin, Sam, and Josh pack up tents and clean up from breakfast and do other tasks. About two hours into the morning pack up crew joins morning walkers and the whole family walks. Sometime in the late afternoon the morning walkers are driven to the campsite and set up and prepare dinner. Clive, Justin, Sam, and Josh finish off the day. On a really big day Clive will finish on his own if needed. Enjoyed a great quiche cooked in the camp oven on the gas stove.

Day 6 (16 May)

– Rest Day, Fremont, Nebraska.
– Weather: Overcast and cool.
– Campsite: State Lakes State Park, Fremont.
– Update: Went to church at the Fremont Ward (congregation). Lovely people, made us feel very welcome. The messages of the day were very inspiring and lifted the spirits. Brother and Sister Peatrowsky offered to do our washing and dry it, this was a great blessing. On returning the first load of washing they so more wet dirty clothes (Josh and Sam had pushed each other in the river), and they very kindly offered to go back and do these. I could have killed Josh and Sam. On returning the second time the Peatrowskys brought with them a bow and drill set and a flint napping kit as gifts (look on google if you don’t know what these are). Enjoyed pancakes for lunch. It’s been a challenging week, but all are well and high spirited. The rest has helped. We feel blessed and are grateful for all those who keep helping us in various ways. The Lord is definitely watching over us. The schedule has been very tight and there has been no prior opportunity for providing an update, however, we hope to do more with the new system. We’ll also give the boys a chance to have their say.

Day 7 (17 May)

– Fremont, Nebraska – North Bend, Nebraska (13 miles).
– Weather: Overcast and warm.
– Campsite: Oak Street, North Bend (back yard of Jennifer Mullally, a local member).
– Update: Got up and going early, the first walkers (Shari, Brett, Conner, and Matt) were away by 7:20am. Expecting they wouldn’t go too fast we gave them a three hour head. As we drove along to meet them the miles kept ticking over, we thought they must have taken a wrong turn! Eventually we caught them, 9.1 miles!! A great effort. We all finished the last four miles together. In camp by 2pm, who can believe it, the new system is off to a good start. North Bend is a very pleasant town, and we enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in the sun and shade, there was even an opportunity to play in the local park. Jennifer’s neighbors Richard and Maxine who share the backyard space were very welcoming and hospitable. The people of Nebraska have been very friendly to us. Enjoyed a roast chicken cooked in the camp oven on the gas stove. The boys went to the park in the evening and brought back a crowd of teenagers to look at the camp. Some of them joined the Facebook page that night and left some very positive comments.

Day 8 (18 May)

– North Bend, Nebraska – Schuyler, Nebraska (19 miles).
– Weather: Sunny and warm.
– Campsite: Schuyler City Park.
– Update: Given that we have some extra miles to do at the end of the day we swopped the teams over. This time the morning crew was Shari, Justin, Sam, and Josh. They headed out early and made about 7.1 miles by 11am. The second crew joined them and we made it to the 12 mile mark by 1pm. The first crew headed to camp and Clive, Brett, and Conner finished off the last 7 miles. We got up a pretty good pace and made it to camp by 4:30pm. Our biggest day yet and we made it with time and energy to spare. The boys got to have a swim in the small river next to the camp site and a play in the park. Another relaxing evening and the Shepperd’s Pie for dinner was sensational. Shari and Brett have pretty nasty blisters and Shari’s feet are really hurting. We are getting the distance done, but some are still suffering, nonetheless we feel we can do this.

Day 9 (19 May)

– Schuyler, Nebraska – Columbus, Nebraska (20.8 miles).
– Weather: Overcast and mild.
Terrain: Mainly unpaved county roads through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Loupe Park.
– Update: Again the morning crew got away early. Made about 7 miles before we joined them. Walked past cow and pig feed lots with a very strong odor for about a mile. The boys said it was unbearable and winged for the whole mile. It was strong, but not that bad. Reached the 12 mile mark by 1pm, our best time yet. Had a great afternoon pulling with Brett, Conner, and Matt. Maintained a good rate and got into camp by 5pm. Enjoyed a terrific dinner (taco soup). Finally got organized for family scripture study. Talked to lots of people along the route. Shari’s feet still hurting, blisters are managed. Scott is getting a blog set up, should be up and running in the next couple of days. We’ll get more posts and more interaction as we get more organized. Should also have a map up marking our path in the next day or two.

Day 10 (20 May)

– Columbus, Nebraska – Genoa, Nebraska (23 miles).
– Weather: Cold and wet.
Terrain: Mainly unpaved, heavy in the wet county roads through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Genoa City Park.
– Update: Woke up to rain that stayed all day long. Shari, Justin, Sam, and Josh had a real slog for the first leg. No shoulder on a busy road, and therefore they were pulling in heavy wet ground with long wet grass up to their waists. When we caught up to them they were pretty miserable. My team packed up in the rain, the tents were saturated. Pulled on heavy wet county roads for a number of hours. Came across a county road that was just thick mud, and decided the highway shoulder was a better option. The going on the highway is easier, but there are so many trucks that it is very stressful. The rain kept on. We were all wearing plastic ponchos, but most were ripped by the end of the day. Will need to invest in some nylon jackets. The afternoon crew had a big workload, 11 miles on our own on wet and heavy county roads. We got to the tired silly stage and Brett and Conner laughed at everything I said, even though it wasn’t really that funny. Finally got to Genoa then couldn’t find the campground. Tried Elisa on the radio and Scott on the phone for 20 minutes, there was no reply. Really didn’t want to pull anymore than we had to, but finally decided to go down a drive way into park land. Walked five metres and saw the RV and the campground down at the bottom of a sloping hill. The low are reduced the ability to see them and radio transmissions. Everyone has wet clothes (they all have dry ones to change into), and the tents are wet. I really hope the sun comes out tomorrow. Went to bed snuggling up next to Mikey, that was a nice way to end the day. Every bit of food today tasted great, bananas and apples were especially good.

Day 11 (21 May)

– Genoa, Nebraska – Fullerton, Nebraska (16 miles).
– Weather: Sunny and pleasant.
Terrain: Paved highway through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Fullerton Inn RV hook up.
– Update: Let everyone have a sleep in. No point getting up before the sun as we had to do a fair bit of drying. Thankfully the sun did come out early and we were able to get everything pretty dry, even sleeping bags that got damp during the night. What a relief. Elisa informed us the camp ground she had planned for us to stay in at Fullerton was fully booked and there were no other options. In our morning prayer we asked that a place could be provided or an alternative found. The morning crew got out at 9:45am. Enjoyed the sunshine immensely today. Celebrated reaching 100 miles yesterday by having chocolate chip cookies at lunch, a most enjoyable treat. Elisa called the RV park back to see if they had any new space available, she was informed the place was empty and there was plenty of room. Prayers do get answered. Made good progress in the afternoon, although I had sharp pains in my right shin for a number of hours. A very pleasant campsite. Took care of blisters for me, Shari, Brett, and Conner. Moles skin hasn’t been sufficient, so I have been padding Shari and Brett’s big one’s with thick gauze, this is working but needs checking each day. Tried to catch up on my Captain’s Log before heading to bed.

Day 12 (22 May)

– Fullerton, Nebraska – Central City Nebraska (19.5 miles).
– Weather: Hot with a gale force wind (up to 40mph).
Terrain: Mostly unpaved county road through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Campground behind the Super 8.
– Update: Back to the normal schedule, first group out by 7:20am. Overcast morning, looked like a big storm was coming in. The storm did not eventuate, but by the time we joined the first group around 10:30 the wind was really blowing hard right into our faces. When we met up with the others they were talking with a local lady whose father had already provided a soft drink and chocolate cup cakes. People out here are so good to us, it really warms the heart and provides motivation to keep going. The wind just kept increasing as we went forward, made the going very hard, didn’t feel like we were getting anywhere. By the time we got to the RV for the first group to head to camp the cart was being blown backward on it’s if it was left standing by itself. Chased hats several times. I had mine tied on with a bandanna and just looked down at the ground to avoid my face being attacked. During the afternoon the stones from the road were being blasted into our faces. Arrived in Central City to find out Elisa and the crew had been refused entry to the park we had booked. They found an alternative at the Super 8 on the far side of town, so we walked on. Arrived to find the tents under immense pressure with a pole already broken. It was obvious they couldn’t withstand the night. Made the decision to drop them and sleep out on tarps instead. The forecast was for a windy but clear night. Boy was it windy, the wind raged on until at least 4am. Hardly slept. Today marked the 163rd birthday of Thomas Gibson, the pioneer Conner Corbin is walking for. We marked the occasion by sing happy birthday and eating a chocolate cake. The cake was pretty good seeing as we didn’t have any eggs!! Being Saturday we were going to make tomorrow a rest day, however, there are no facilities here and for rest days we need showers and hopefully a laundry. Made the decision to walk the 13 miles to Chapman first thing in the morning, then have church in the afternoon, and have Monday as a rest day. Quite the wearying day. It’s taking all we have to keep everything on the go, as such updates on the internet and other extras are not as regular as we might hope.

Day 13 (23 May)

– Central City Nebraska – Chapman, Nebraska (12.5 miles).
– Weather: Overcast and windy early, clearing to a fine and warm afternoon.
Terrain: Paved highway and county road through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Bader Memorial Park.
– Update: Got the walking done by midday. A friendly state trooper took an interest in what we were doing and made sure both groups were well. The second group was welcomed into the campground by a very friendly group of campers. A group of three or four families all gathered to ask questions and provide warm encouragement. Spent a good half an hour with them, and then additional time with each group individually over the next two days. It was great to be so well received, lovely people. Everyone got to have a shower for the first time in 10 days, how good did that feel!! Held Sacrament Meeting in the late afternoon, partook of the sacrament and then had talks from Sam, Conner, and Brett. Sam spoke on honoring parents (I think he was a bit hard on himself, he quoted a scripture from Exodus suggesting that a child who struck his parents would be put to death – no chance of that though), Conner spoke on faith, and how we would need faith to finish the trek, and Brett spoke on the need to endure to the end. Overall a very edifying meeting. Held family council, still grumbles about porridge for breakfast, Scott requested brown sugar for the porridge, that was agreed on. Also discussed how some of the boys could treat each other more kindly. Went to bed with the very delightful knowledge that we could sleep in for a little bit in the morning.

Day 14 (24 May)

– Chapman, Nebraska (Rest day).
– Weather: Warm and windy, wind increase to gale force in the afternoon.
– Campsite: Bader Memorial Park.
– Update: Got up at 8am to start the chores for the day (restocking weekly oats, sugar, milk powder, and rice from the bulk store in the boot. Washing by hand and drying clothes for 11 people. This was a monster of a job. The washing wasn’t too bad, but trying to dry it all took several hours, and with the wind blowing so hard it needed constant monitoring (in future we’ll be looking for a laundry if we can find it). Repair tent pole which broke (brought pole repair kit, including spare pole sections. While repairing the pole, the wind got up fierce again and tore the fly. Once again dropped the tent. Thunder storms predicted for the evening so we set up the big tarp using picnic tables at each end. This allowed for the tarp to be low and tight, and hopefully avoid wind damage. The boys worked on face book during the day. The owner of the park came to interview me for the local paper while the wind raged and we tried to take down the tent. Got to the end of the day worn out and with only half of what I had intended completed. Big thunder storm hit about 11pm. Lightening and thunder half a second later, really loud. Mickey was pretty scarred, the other boys, except for Matt and Josh who slept through it, loved it. The tarp worked well. No water in, no issue in the wind. Heavy storms through out the night, plenty of rain. Found two ticks on me during the night. These have been constant companions since day two. We all have to check regularly for them. Although they do grab on, at this stage none have buried in.

Day 15 (25 May)

– Chapman, Nebraska – Grand Island Nebraska (20 miles – became 23.8 miles).
– Weather: Light rain, overcast and ominous early, but quickly cleared to be warm and sunny.
– Terrain: Paved and unpaved county roads through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: George Clayton Hall Memorial Park.
– Update: Was still raining when the alarm went off at 5am. Didn’t think it made any sense to try to pack up in the rain and get everything wet. Waited until 6:30am when the rain stopped before getting up. The morning crew got away by 8:30am. The park manager brought over two foam eskies (coolers) with two dozen hamburger paddies – people are great. Caught up with the others just before lunch, the roads were pretty damp. Met the local posty (mail deliverer), she was intrigued with what we were doing, so much so she returned to get more details for the local paper. About an hour later we were met on the road by a journalist and photographer from the Independent (Grand Island’s local paper). All was going well for the day until the afternoon group were unable to find a street listed on our travel instructions. The short story is we ended up doing an extra 3.8 miles and getting into camp at 8:30 pm. However, due to our late arrival we met a family in the park whose daughter was studying for a history test, coincidently she had just been reviewing the handcart history and we walked past. We stopped to chat, answered some handcart questions and the daughter had a go at pulling the handcart, so our extra miles weren’t completely in vain. Set up the tarp again for the boys, this time using a picnic table and the handcart. Big thunderstorms came through during the night, heavy rain fell for a good while.

Day 16 (26 May)

– Grand Island Nebraska – Wood River, Nebraska (18.2 miles).
– Weather: Warm and sunny.
– Terrain: Paved and unpaved county roads through open farmland. It has all been plowed, or just planted. Scores of big irrigation sprinklers.
– Campsite: Cheyenne State Recreation Area.
– Update: Like yesterday, it was still raining when the alarm went off at 5am. Didn’t think it made any sense to try to pack up in the rain and get everything wet. Waited until 6:30am when the rain stopped before getting up. The morning crew got away by 8:30am. Once again the tarp did the job. A lot of water on the roads and in the paddocks, at one stage the morning crew walked through ankle deep water for half a mile. A Beagle from a local farm followed us for a long way, in the end he was becoming a traffic hazard so he had to be firmly shooed away – she was pretty persistent though it took some aggressive action to stop her following. A farmer stopped the morning crew to inform them they were in the paper, which we promptly had Elisa purchase. Page three with two good photos and a good and accurate story. The captions on the photos had us down as the Carter family, but I guess we are pulling a cart, so why not. Finished up at a peaceful campsite by a pretty lake with I80 on the other side!

23 comments

23 responses to “Captain’s Log”

Bonnie Weekley
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:46

Good Day to you all, I am the gal that stopped and took a pic of you by Odessa, Ne. the reporter. I just wanted you to know I put a story about you in the paper and would like to send it to you if I could have your email address. I hope ou all are fairing well and the weather continues to be a little kinder. Safe travels and it was a pleasure to meet you. Bonnie

Reply
- Michelle Corbin
  June 5th, 2010 at 17:35
  
  Bonnie,
  I am Brett and Conner Corbin’s mother; they are trekking there with the Haydon’s. Wondering if I can get a copy of the article you wrote. I would LOVE to see a copy of it! Would you mind sending me a copy too? Thank you so much, Michelle~ michelle@joyfullyread.com
  
  Reply
- Julie Nichols
  June 6th, 2010 at 15:51
  
  I’d like a copy too–is there a website where we can find it? The Trekkers have a whole community at home in Utah who want to keep up with them however they can–thanks for taking the photo & writing the story!
  
  Reply
- Clive
  June 6th, 2010 at 23:18
  
  G’day Bonnie,
  
  Sorry not to reply sooner, I have not had a chance to check the blog before now. My email address is cghaydon@bigpond.com.
  
  Thank you so much for thinking of us.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Clive.
  
  Reply
Clive
June 6th, 2010 at 23:18

Update

Tuesday 1 June
Lexington to Cozad (18.5 miles).
Early thunderstorms, lightening very close. Pack up crew out in a torrential downpour trying to keep all the gear dry.
Weather cleared quickly.
Turned out to be a hot day.
Had trouble starting the RV again.
Afternoon crew got in about 4pm.
Very windy afternoon, broke a pole on Brother Carter’s tent.

Wednesday 2 June
Cozad to Gothenberg (11.5 miles).
Sunny, warm day.
Very short day. Split the walking in half.
Enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in a beautiful park.
Still trouble starting the RV.
Carter’s and Brandon still with us.

Thursday 3 June
Gothenberg to Brady (13 miles).
Sunny, warm day.
Another short day. Split the walking in half.
Enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in a beautiful park.
No electricity, so no internet.
Local baseball team played right next door during the evening.
The Carter’s and Brandon left at midday.
Still trouble starting the RV.

Friday 3 June
Brady to Maxwell (camped Fort McPherson (13.9 miles).
Sunny, warm day.
Another short day. Split the walking in half.
RV wouldn’t start, had to get a tow truck.
Everyone got to camp, gear dropped off with tow truck. No RV, so no internet.
Dinner cooked on an open fire.
Elisa in North Platte arranging to swap RV’s.

Saturday 4 June
Maxwell (Fort McPherson) to North Platte (17.2 miles).
Sunny, hot day. Strong headwind.
Morning crew out early. Pack up crew waiting for new RV.
Elisa arrived in old RV at 1pm. New RV still coming from Denver.
All made it to camp ground. Elisa took old RV back to wait for swap over.
Now low on supplies as today was to be shopping day. No cooking facilities without RV. RV due at 5:30pm.
Started washing and drying clothes.
By 9:30 Elisa had not arrived. Bought hamburgers for dinner at a local diner. Surprisingly, no complaints!!!

Sunday 5 June
North Platte (rest day).
Overcast and mild.
New RV arrived about midnight, and was a nice surprise to see in the morning.
Went to church in North Platte. Terrific ward, very nice people.
Spent the afternoon reorganising RV and catching up on washing up.
Taco soup and pancakes for dinner, there were left overs.
Held family council under the big tarp in a thunderstorm with torrential rain. The sky was yellow and the rain smelled like sulphur.

Reply
Clive
June 8th, 2010 at 00:39

Monday 8 June
North Platte – Sutherland (22 miles).
Weather: Overcast and cool (light showers overnight).
Terrain: Flat, unsealed county road, corn fileds one side, I80 on the other. Afternoon was rolling hills on unsealed county roads.
Campsite: Oregon Trail Campground.
Morning group out at 8am. Waited for showers to pass before getting everybody up. No sense in getting everything wet if you don’t need to.
Went shopping, this delayed us and morning crew did 14 miles on their own, they seemed happy enough when we caught up to them and were excited by their effort. They were also excited and very moved by a woman who stopped and provided $100 towards trek expenses. Shari said she cried and they all hugged this very generous lady. Passed to the south of I80 and walked on the Oregon Trail route this afternoon. Conner and Joshua conducted family home evening tonight. They reviewed the overall history of the handcart treks between 1856 and 1860. Played soccer with a little kids ball for an activity, and had chocolate and grape punch for treat. Big storm tonight. Started with a really strong wind, gale force. Followed by torrential rain, lightening and thunder. The tarp is holding up well, all are dry and safe. I have to say I’ll be glad if the storms become less frequent as we head further into summer. We are grateful for all the prayers offered on our behalf, we had an extra one under the tarp tonight.

Reply
Clive
June 9th, 2010 at 23:22

Tuesday June 8
Sutherland to Paxton (16.1 miles)
Weather: Warm sunny day.
Terrain: Wet and muddy county roads.
Campsite: Paxton City Park.
Update: Due to condition of the roads after last night’s storm, there was no opportunity for the RV to meet the walkers along the road. As such we all walked the distance for the day. As we were all out there the boys took turns walking without pushing. This was done two at a time, and using a ball found along the road the two who were off played soccer along the way. The going was pretty slow on heavy roads, at times the cart wheels and our feet were sinking in the mud. The last three miles of county road was in better condition and we made better time. Arrived late in the day and had to set up camp and cook dinner. The boys slept out under a park shelter. Glad to hit the sack.

Wednesday June 9
Paxton – Lake Ogallala (22.6 miles)
Weather: Overcast, cool, and light showers early, clearing to a warm sunny day.
Terrain: Highway shoulder and sealed county roads. Also hilly and encountered a change in vegetation. Now encountering drier native plants, similar to sage brush. Also spiny grass trees. Main crop is now wheat not corn.
Campsite: Lake Ogallala State Recreation Park.
Update: At 2:30 am the park sprinklers turned on. The boys woke me to tell me they were getting wet. Assuming they had some wet spots, I told them to move onto the gravel and set up there. In fact all their gear had been drenched, and they put on their heavy jumpers and jackets and sat on a park bench until I got up in the morning. It also lightly rained. Given that they needed some more sleep and the gear needed drying out, we cleared out the gear from my tent and let them go to sleep for three hours in there. Shari and Elisa worked on drying the gear, and I went out and did the first five hours on the cart solo. Although a bit hard on the arms, shoulders, and back, I enjoyed being out on the road alone for awhile. While Shari and Elisa were drying the gear the park sprinklers went off again and soaked everything a second time – they said it just took one rotation to saturate everything. The whole group drove out to me and we had lunch, including salt water taffy to celebrate passing the 400 mile mark, after which Shari and Elisa drove off to find a laundry mat. The boys and I finished the last 7 miles together. We all finally got to the campsite and the gear was successfully dried. Talked to some friendly people on the road, after one very friendly group drove off another car drove by while we were still standing there, and the passenger threw a glass salsa jar out the window. The jar hit the hub of the cart axel and shattered all around us. Luckily no one was hurt, but it was a pretty serious incident.

Reply
- Alison Hollingworth
  June 13th, 2010 at 21:58
  
  OHHHHHH! So THAT is the sprinkler incident. You guys are already at 400mi! That is SO COOL! You guys are speed demons! Sorry about the salsa bottle. I hate when glass breaks and you get just a tinsy tiny piece in your foot. Worst thing in the world. Have fun out there! Hope the weather clears up! (hasn’t been to good here either. Oh well, just learn to dance when it rains!) 🙂
  
  Reply
Pam Zierk-Mahoney
June 10th, 2010 at 06:18

Hi to allthe Hayden”Family from down under. This is the first chance I have had to catch up ont he website -facebook site – great going 400 miles already -but what terrible weather you seem to be having _ I thought Elisa told me it would be hot summer weather? It is us who are having freezing cold and snowing here – early for a change. Ski season opens in two days and there is already lots of snow on the ground. Will try to follow you progress more closely. Cheers and God bless you all. Pam

Reply
Clive
June 10th, 2010 at 17:32

Thursday June 10
Lake Ogallala – Lemoyne (10.9 miles – Accumulated 427.3 miles)
Weather: Overcast, cool, and light showers early. Hot, overcast, and humid later.
Terrain: Highway no shoulder (sandy on the edge). Also hilly. Good views of the lake.
Campsite: Lake McConaughy State Recreation Park.
Update: Only a short day today, nice break after yesterday’s big pull. Weather overnight was mild, a couple of light showers, but no heavy wind – what a relief. Lovely to walk in the lake region, lots of sand hills and low shrubs and grasses, modest holiday homes, and lots of little beaches. Reminds me a lot of the coast back home. The boys are swimming in the lake, they just saw a snake, but it has now disappeared seeking a safe haven amongst the rocks. All part of the summer adventure. The boys keep telling me there are rattle snakes everywhere, they can hear them all through the grass – all I can here is grass hoppers!!

Reply
Michelle Sullivan
June 15th, 2010 at 17:02

We met you on the road while returning from our GWTA Region C Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills. We’d also had a wet week of camping… could really feel for you. Luckily I’d read your story in the North Platte Telegraph so I knew what was going on and my daughter was able to get a picture of you. Hang in there; it was great to exchange waves. Sorry about the salsa incident; hope nothing like that happens again. My daughter thinks you guys are awesome!

Reply
- Michelle Corbin
  June 16th, 2010 at 20:06
  
  Michelle,
  It’s so good to have people like you out there being friendly, supporting and sending good wishes. May God bless you,
  Michelle Corbin (mother of Brett and Conner Corbin)
  
  Reply
motrekkers
June 19th, 2010 at 08:36

Tuesday June 15  Lisco – Broadwater (14.2 miles – Accumulated 487.4 miles) 
Weather: A fine warm day. 
Terrain: Highway 26 with good shoulder. Open wheat and corn fields, and grazing pasture for cattle.  
Campsite: Broadwater Town Park. No electricity or other services.
Update: Last night the trains never stopped, the ground rumbled and their horns blew endlessly. It felt like they would come right through the tent. Needless to say not much sleep was had. Only a short day, so all in camp early afternoon. The morning crew met a couple who provided them with fresh strawberries and bananas, chocolate bars, and $7. The green cut lawn and shady trees of the park made an ideal location for baseball. The boys found a good piece of 4 x 2 and couple of hours were spent in a hotly contested series. Sam threw up last night, had the runs this morning, and was seedy for most of the day. However, despite riding in the cart for our entire section, he still found energy to play baseball. Also caught our first glimpses of Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff way off on the horizon. Due to the fact that it looked like the park was watered by sprinklers, we set up in the playground, it the kids fort and roundabout provided a good framework to hang the tarps.

Wednesday June 16  Broadwater – Bridgeport (16.2 miles – Accumulated 503.6 miles) 
Weather: A fine warm day early, with wind and scattered thunderstorms later. 
Terrain: Highway 26 with good shoulder, and the backstreets of Bridgeport. Open wheat and corn fields, and grazing pasture for cattle.  
Campsite: Bridgeport State Recreation Area. No electricity or other services.
Update: Passed Courthouse (also Temple) and Jail Rocks today. They are two large sandstone features lying south of the North Platte River. They are quite prominent as the surrounding topography is flat. These features were mention by many of the early pioneers, and there is a historical marker on Highway 26 with extracts of the journal’s of William Clayton and others. Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff are becoming clearer, but still in the distance. The campsite is located next to a series of beautiful lakes, and as such the boys had another swim. A storm started to blow up in the afternoon, although we got no rain the wind blew dust everywhere. A number of people stopped to chat as we sat and ate dinner. People are very interested in what we are doing. The campsite was too small for baseball, so the boys turned to cricket. Justin has carved one end of the 4 x 2 into a nice handle. To help the boys and all of us to increase the spirit of unity in the camp and to be less concerned about ourselves, I told the story of President Hunter (former LDS Church President) shinning Elder Maxwell’s shoes: “President Hunter is a meek man… This is the same lowly man, when I awakened after a weary and dusty day together with him on assignment in Egypt, he was quietly shining my shoes, a task he had hoped to complete unseen (Meek and Lowly, Maxwell, Neal A., BYU Speeches, 1986). The new motto for our company is “How can I shine your shoes”?

Thursday June 17  Bridgeport – Bayard (17.2 miles – Accumulated 520.8 miles) 
Weather: Sunny day with 40 mile per hour winds.
Terrain: Highway 26 with good shoulder. Short section of county road. Open wheat and corn fields, and grazing pasture for cattle.  
Campsite: Oregon Trail Wagon Train RV Park.
Update: Woke up this morning to a beautiful, clear, still morning. The lakes looked lovely in the morning light. Within an hour, however, the wind was blowing at gale force. It is quite the challenge, the gear get blown everywhere unless well secured, dust is constantly in your eyes, and you have to shout to have a conversation. The wind was blowing from the north west, exactly the direction we were heading. We joined the morning crew early, as we new it would be very hard work. Until well after midday we were buffered and felt like our very strenuous efforts were getting us nowhere. Thankfully, the wind eased significantly by about 1pm. Celebrated passing the 500 mile mark at lunch with Life Saver Gummies. Chimney Rock loomed closer and closer as the day wore on, and by late afternoon we had reached the Chimney Rock Visitors Centre. We took the time to visit here, and the boys took a real interest in the information provided. A number of them came out with Mormon Trail and Wyoming maps, which they spent time looking over pointing out all the places we have been. They also had the opportunity to identify some of the many birds we have been seeing along the road. Another game of cricket was had in the evening.

Friday June 18  Bayard – Scottsbluff (19 miles – Accumulated 539.8 miles) 
Weather: Sunny day warm day, light breeze.
Terrain: Highway 26 with good shoulder. Open wheat and corn fields, and grazing pasture for cattle.  
Campsite: Robidoux RV Park.
Update: On the road this morning the morning crew ran into the Pony Express. Apparently on this day each year there is a Pony Express reenactment along this stretch. Both our crew and the Pony Express rider were delighted to meet each other. The Pony Express Rider had real mail to deliver, and he asked Shari “are you real Mormons”? Quite a delightful coincidence. In Melbeta (halfway to Scottbluff), the morning crew were invited into a local shop and shouted root beers. We arrived to do the swap and were also shouted root beers. While there, a local television reporting covering the Pony Express reenactment also interviewed Justin and took footage of us pushing the cart. The owners of the store were very hospitable and generous. We continue to meet wonderful people who provide us with great encouragement and inspiration. Scottsbluff provides the backdrop to the RV park we are staying in tonight, it’s a magnificent feature rising out of the plains. A big grassy open area in the park provided the ideal setting for a great game of cricket. You can’t beat playing cricket in the evening light of a warm summers day (makes me long for home). Having our rest day here tomorrow in order to take advantage of laundry mat and showers.

Reply
- Tom Page
  June 19th, 2010 at 21:16
  
  500 plus miles – Scottsbluff Dear Clive Hayden,
  
  Good work. What is the status of my exchange July 3rd? I’m in the dark. If I drive my truck, will Emma drive it back to Utah to catch her flight to Australia? Then return with it when she gets back to replace me? Or is there another plan? I may be at Handicapped MIA scout camp this next week and I need to help Dixie with a Relief Society Overnight Dinner Friday night. Please e-mail me. Had a good time this week with Boyd and Sally Clark Family. Tom
  
  Reply
motrekkers
June 24th, 2010 at 08:12

Note this section has been updated and added to on June 25

Saturday June 19 Scottsbluff (Rest day) 
Weather: Sunny day warm day, with cloud and thunder heads building in the evening.   Campsite: Robidoux RV Park.  Update: Got up early and completed Captain’s Log for the last week. Most of the rest of the day was taken up with washing clothes (in machine and dryer), sewing clothes with tears (the boys are hard on clothes), and other maintenance bits and pieces. The boys met a kids travelling baseball team and they had a game with them in the park. We had pancakes for lunch. A big storm came in over Scottsbluff, but we received no rain although we could see the lightening and hear the thunder (the next day we heard that just a mile or two a way there was large hail – once again we have been watched over).

Sunday June 20 Scottsbluff – Mitchell (15.1 miles – Accumulated 554.5 miles) 
Weather: Overcast and cool, early evening thunderstorm.  Terrain: Sealed county roads, some shoulder in parts. Open wheat and corn fields, and grazing pasture for cattle.  Campsite: Mitchell Fair Ground.
Update: Sprinklers came on in the RV park right under Conner in the tarp!! The boys have got wet more from sprinklers than from rain. Because shower and laundry facilities were available in Scottsbluff we took the rest day on Saturday rather than Sunday. However, before walking today we attended church first. Initially we were only going to stay for sacrament meeting, but I felt a strong impression to stay for all the meetings. After the meetings Michael Leech (a local member) provided me with directions to Rebecca Winter’s grave, pointing out that it was only five minutes away and suggesting we should visit. As the grave site was not on our route we did not have a plan to visit it. Rebecca Winter was a member of the James C. Snow company, and died of cholera on the trail. Her grave is significant because it is one of the few where the person has been positively identified. A friend of Rebecca Winter, William Fletcher Reynolds, stayed up all night after her burial to carve her name and death date in a wagon wheel rim (The rim is still there today). William’s young daughter Ellis held candles all night to provide the necessary light for the work. This became an important site for us to visit, not only from a historical perspective, but also because we were able to take some time out to reflect on how far we had come and to remember why we were here. Rebecca Winter is symbolic of all those early pioneers who were willing to give their all to reach their physical and spiritual destinations. Visiting her grave and thinking about her sacrifice prompted us to remember that one of the main reasons we are out here is to honour and pay tribute to all those who sacrificed so much and left such a powerful legacy of faith and action. It was an opportunity for us to think about those individuals who we are walking in behalf of. We set ourselves a goal to ask ourselves each day what can we do today that would honour the person we are walking for. We concluded our visit with a cinnamon role family hug (all make a circle by linking arms around each other, one person lets go on one side only and then begins to twist in. Everybody else follows and it’s finished off with a big squeeze. We felt a new sense of purpose as we departed, and gratitude for the opportunity to visit the grave. By the time we returned to the park, packed up, and had lunch it was 3pm and we had 15 miles to do. Once under way the first group made five miles in two hours. At 5pm we took over with a big storm building and still 10 miles to go. There was no time for dawdling, and we set out a fast pace. The road was paved and flat, so I felt like we really needed to push while the going was good. Not long into the walk I started to feel a pain in my left shin, the sign of a shin splint. I had one previously in the right shin, but after some stretching and a nights rest it disappeared and has not returned. I also had the same experience last week with the left side. As such, I pushed on despite the pain figuring it would settle down by the next day. After about an hour the rain began falling, not long after this with about five and a half miles still to go a young man in his early twenties came out from a local farmhouse and invited us to shelter in his family’s shed. Given that hail and tornado warnings had been issued we accepted his offer. His name was Trevor, and his parents and both sets of grandparents where enjoying Father’s Day together. The whole family came out into the shed and we had a great time conversing and getting to know one another. Trevor and his family are very committed Christians, and it was great to share with each other our common feelings of love and gratitude for the Saviour and his saving mission. The rain (without hail or tornado) cleared after about an hour, so we hit the road again. The evening sky was now a beautiful blue and the setting sun was casting a golden glow across the deep green fields. It was a great time of evening to be out. We reached Mitchell just after 8pm. My left shin was very sore.

Monnday June 21 Mitchell, Nebraska – Torrington, Wyoming (23.5 miles – Accumulated 578 miles) 
Weather: Warm and sunny, thunderstorm in the late afternoon.  Terrain: Highway 26, good shoulder in Nebraska, a bit narrow and ruff in Wyomming. Open corn fields and grazing pasture for cattle.  Campsite: Pioneer Park.
Update: Work up with the knowledge that this would be our last morning in Nebraska. Also woke up to a very sore shin. Our plan today was to meet up just before the border so we could all cross together. The morning crew headed off with the aim of doing the first 11 miles in about four or five hours. However, they were stopped on the road by Steve and Marilyn Engleman and invited in for a hamburger lunch. Who can blame them for accepting?! We cam along just as they were finishing up and were extended the same invitation. The morning crew pushed on while we enjoyed hamburgers. The Englemans were very hospitable, treating us as if we were old friends. We spent an hour chatting after lunch while the boys played with toys. Such experiences have caused me to reflect on the sense of community and connectedness that is created when everyone is treated like an old friend. The people of Nebraska have been a great example of how to be a friend to all. After leaving the Englemans we headed down the road to meet up with the morning crew. We joined up to walk the last two miles before the border. As we approached the border we all came to the front of the cart and pulled in a line. There was a lot of shouting and cheering. To celebrate the crossing we each had three pieces of Xocai chocolate, plus apples, bananas, and some muesli bars. It was a great moment and we all felt a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. Now it was time for the afternoon crew to push on. During the two miles leading up to the border my left shin was extremely painful, and I knew it was going to be a slow afternoon. I told the boys that we would have to go at a reduced pace, and even going reasonably slow I was still suffering intense pain. The day was wearing on and we weren’t getting the miles done. I toyed for a long while with the idea of getting in the cart, the thought of which was abhorrent. Eventually, however, I had to let go of my ego, and I got in. I felt a terrible feeling of useless and guilt as I watched Brett and Sam pull and Sam push the cart while I did nothing but sit in the back. After about a mile I couldn’t stand it any longer and got out. I could no longer keep up pulling or pushing, so I just walked slowly at the back. The boys had to go at a snail’s pace so I didn’t get left behind. Eventually we got to the camp at about 8:15pm. We had dinner and Shari brought out a cake for Sam’s twelfth birthday. In addition to singing happy birthday and eating cake, we also had M&M’s. Sam received a small pocket knife which he seemed to like a lot. Joshua’s birthday is tomorrow and as he was getting the same gift he decide to open his with Sam. It was a good fun celebration. Finally got to take my shoes off around 10:30pm to find a very red and swollen shin and ankle. I feel very frustrated to be so incapacitated, but it seems obvious I will not be walking tomorrow.

Tueday June 22 – Torrington – Fort Laramie (20.5 miles – Accumulated 598 miles) 
Weather: Warm and sunny.  Terrain: Highway 26, narrow and ruff shoulder. Open corn fields and grazing pasture for cattle.  Campsite: Chuckwagon RV Park.
Update: Shari walked with both the morning and the afternoon crew today, completing the entire 22 miles. The morning crew made good time finishing their 11 miles in about three and a half to four hours. The afternoon crew also did well coming in at about 6pm. The man at the RV park office brought out chilled bottled water as the afternoon crew came in. We enjoyed spaghetti Bolognese for dinner, followed by birthday cake and M&M’s for Joshua’s birthday. I spent the day with a bandage and ice pack on my shin trying to take it easy. I hope I’m ready to walk in the morning.

Wednesday June 23 Fort Laramie – Guernsey (13.2 miles – Accumulated 611 miles) 
Weather: Warm and sunny.  Terrain: Highway 26, narrow and ruff shoulder. Open corn fields and grazing pasture for cattle.  Campsite: Larson City Park CG and Golf Course.
Update: I awoke this morning with little relief or change in my shin. However, I decided that I couldn’t sit in the RV all day while the others walked. I figured if I left early and walked very slowly I might at least be able to do half the miles without too much pain or damage. It was a beautiful, clear sunny morning, so I left with Shari the task of organizing the crew and I headed off at 6:30am. Well it didn’t take long to realize that after today I will not be able to walk until the shin is healed. Even at a snails pace I was in a lot of pain and doing no good. Still I was determined to at least make six miles. I guessed I’d done about five and a half when I finally had to stop. If nothing else at least I had a nice spot on the top of a hill with a good view. The sun was shining and the birds chirping. I am very disappointed knowing I will not walk at least half of every day. When Elisa and Scott arrived in the RV they informed me I had done 6.5 miles – that was some consolation at least. Shari and all the boys did the first 6.5 miles , then Shari Brett and Sam did the last 6.5 miles. Great work everyone and Shari is a champ. My shin was very sore all day. In the evening Shari gave it a firm massage and rubbed Vicks into it. Let’s hope there’s improvement in the morning.

Thursday June 24 Guernsey – Glendo (38.6 miles – Accumulated 649.6 miles) 
Weather: Warm and sunny.  Terrain: Highway 26, narrow and ruff shoulder. Glendo Highway, narrow, no shoulder, but very quite and peaceful. Rolling hills, small rocky ridges, large mountain ranges in the distance. Fields are now all for cattle grazing, consisting of dry scrub and grasses.  Campsite: Glendo RV Park.
Update: Due to a lack of suitable campsites along the way today, we had to do over 38 miles to get to Glendo. With me incapacitated this became even more challenging than it was already going to be. Elisa offered to walk in my place, and she, Brett, and Sam left at 6am to do the first of three sections. There managed to complete nearly 17 miles in six hours, a great effort. By the end of it Elisa was weary and sore and commented that she was glad she was the driver. Shari’s normal morning crew took over and did the next 10 miles in three and a half hours on a very warm afternoon. This was exactly what was needed to ensure enough time to complete the last section before dark. Given the extra workload of the last two days, Shari’s feet are getting sore again so it was time to have her take a rest. Brett and Sam took up the reins with me in the cart to supervise. It was 5pm and we figured we had about three and a half hours to do the last 12 miles. About two miles in we found Scott had been dropped off on the side of the road with his bike and camera gear so that he could take some footage, meaning along with me in the cart was a very heavy duty camera box. Sam and Brett were great, pulling at a good pace despite the weight in the cart, however, after about six miles and a large hill Brett was feeling sick in the stomach. I got out and started pushing up the hills, but even with that it was obvious Brett needed a break. My shin was hurting, but not intensely, so Brett got in the cart and Sam and I pulled. Despite feeling a bit sore and knowing I might pay a price later, it felt great to be working. It was a beautiful evening, and the terrain was so edifying, I love rugged country with mountains bordering the horizon. I pulled for about three miles, until Brett said he was feeling okay again. We then all pulled together for a mile, and then I got in the cart for the last mile or so. Despite being frustrated by not being able to walk, especially on the biggest day of the journey, I can see the value for the group. Everyone has had to pull together and step up a notch to get the work done, and under the challenging circumstances, that has lead to an increased sense of unity and feeling like we are all on the one team. When rolled into camp last night at 8.30 pm, everyone was on a high and there was a sense that we had done something really special together. Not long after we arrived, Jim a fellow camper in the park, came over with gummy bears and icy poles to share and that really added to the celebration. There was a good feeling in the camp tonight.

Reply
Virginia Hunter
June 25th, 2010 at 00:36

Hey, Clive I was just reading your log tonight before bed and thought I send some advice for what it it’s worth. My daughter Kayla had a sports med class and by your description it sounds like you have a stress fracture in your left chin. She said the best thing is to get a compression sleeve to wear on it. They can be purchased at Big 5 or any sports store for about $15.00. I asked her about chin splints where the muscle pulls away from the bone. She said chin spints that most commonly happen to both legs at the same time and should be iced for 20 minutes after using. For whats its worth.
Wow! way to make it to Wyoming. Have you hit the half way point? By my calculations you should be getting very close if not already. We’re hoping to meet up with you some where along the way!!!!!!

Reply
- motrekkers
  June 25th, 2010 at 08:05
  
  Thanks for the advice Virginia. I have been icing and wearing a compression bandage. As for half way we were working on 45 days, so that will be tomorrow. However, we have combined some days, and in reality I think we are already passed it. Over the last ten days we have combined some days and in doing so are now on track to get to Martin’s Cove on July 3, and home by about August 1. We hope you can come and join us some time.
  
  Reply
motrekkers
June 25th, 2010 at 08:08

I have updated and added to the section above on June 25.

Reply
Brant May
July 7th, 2010 at 21:31

Hi Justin,
This is Brant May! I met you at the park in Brady Ne. We were having a baseball game that evening. Would you please send me your facebook information I would like to chat with you sometime. It was really nice meeting you and I enjoyed our visit. Thank you for your time! Hope to hear from you soon!!

Bye for now , Brant May

Reply
Clive Haydon
July 28th, 2010 at 20:22

Captain’s Log 25 June – 8 July

Date: 25 June
Glendo – Orin Junction Truck Stop (15.1 miles). Accumulated – 665.7 miles
Terrain: Mainly flat sage brush paddocks, ankle deep with water from recent flooding.
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Camp: Orin Junction Truck Stop
Update: After the big day yesterday we all enjoyed a sleep in before heading out on the road again. Today was a much easier day, only 7½ miles for each group. My shin is still sore, but I am able to walk with a lot more ease. Massaging it several times a day is really making a difference. The truck stop was fairly primitive, the afternoon group arrived to find the morning crew (minus Shari) in the air conditioned road house watching TV. After dinner the evening was spent playing cricket, reading, or climbing the small rocky hill above the campsite.

Date: 26 June
Orin Junction Truck Stop – Douglas (16 miles). Accumulated – 681.7 miles
Terrain: Rolling sage brush covered hills early. Urban landscape of Douglas later in the day.
Weather: Overcast and warm with afternoon thunderstorms.
Camp: Douglas KOA RV Park.
Update: Not a big day today, but a bit of weather made it interesting for the afternoon crew. The morning crew got away earlier, but were slightly delayed as they tried to navigate around the interstate junction. The afternoon crew were having a fairly relaxed pull until two very big thunder and lightening storms rolled in. For the first we were able to shelter under the carport of a Douglas motor inn. For the second we took shelter under an interstate overpass. We felt blessed to have these shelters readily available as the storms both had hail and forked lightening right in our location. Once the second storm had passed the sun returned, and by the time we made it to the campground it was a very pleasant evening. This was quite a flash RV park including a basketball court and balls, and the boys didn’t waste any time making use of them. Showers and laundry were also part of the evenings activities – thankfully.

Date: 27 June
Douglas (rest day).
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Camp: Douglas KOA RV Park.
Update: Attended church in Douglas where we were made to feel very welcome. This chapel had a handcart permanently placed out the front of the main entry. We ate lunch at the RV park under the shade of a cottonwood tree. The shade was welcome, but not the constant stream of cotton fluff which mixed in with all our food. All 11 of us were invited to dinner by a young couple in the ward, this made for a pleasant evening. For family council we read a story from the Corbin’s pioneer history and sang Faith in Every Footstep. The boys also requested we send for a supply of Friend magazines, some fantasy novels, and the new Duty to God booklets.

Date: 28 June
Douglas – Fort Fetterman (21.3 miles). Accumulated – 703 miles.
Terrain: Unsealed county roads winding through rolling sage brush covered hills.
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Camp: Fort Fetterman.
Update: The day started well with the morning crew off on time heading for Glen Rock. While I was washing up Brett, Sam, and Matt played mini golf using the bonus ticket we received with our campground reservation. Just as I finished cleaning up and was about to sit down and update the Facebook page, I received a call from Justin informing me Shari had gashed her leg on barbed wire severely enough she stitches might be required. So we got out on the road quickly to render assistance. Unfortunately, due to a road sign variation, the instruction from google maps did not match reality and the morning crew had missed a turn. We took the turn and travelled some distance before it became evident they were not were we thought they were. We managed to make radio contact and determine their location. On locating them we found Shari’s gash was nasty, but not severe. Antiseptic cream, two butterfly clips, a non-stick dressing, and an ACE bandage saw her all fixed up. However, given the injury was caused by rusty barbed wire we felt a tetanus shot was in order. Although not the intended route, the path the morning crew had taken was still a viable option and so they continued on with a slight variation to the original plan. We moved ahead in the RV to the lunch location. Unfortunately, the drama for the day was not over. We discovered the old highway we intended to travel on after lunch had been decommissioned and returned to private ownership. After considering a range of alternatives, it was decided that the most realistic option was to head to Fort Fetterman and take two days to get to Glendo. Although an apparent inconvenience, this was actually a blessing in disguise. While all of our morning dramas were unfolding, I received a call from Dave Sharon, a Douglas resident who we had met in North Platte, Nebraska. Dave and his wife Jennifer home school their two sons Sill (15) and Seth (9), and we had arranged for them to come out and walk with us when we were close to Douglas. The Sharons came out to join us for lunch, and Dave and Sill pulled with the afternoon crew. Because our detour lead us back towards Douglas, Sill was able to stay all afternoon and the rest of the family joined us in the evening in what turned out to be quite a social gathering. While we were on the trail in the afternoon Lynn Clealand (a fine man who last summer pulled a handcart from Iowa City to Salt Lake on his own) called and said he was in the area and would like to visit. Lynn also brought with him the Harris family, whom he had made friends with on his journey the previous year. Martin Harris the third is a Douglas resident and is a descendent of the Martin Harris who was one of the original three witnesses to the Book of Mormon. Lynn was driving a huge motor home complete with external television and speakers. So there we all were on top of a hill looking out over the Wyoming hills on a beautiful evening watching a video on the Willie handcart company, eating water melon, and socializing. It was a wonderful end to a day that had started out with a number of dramas. Although not reaching our original intended destination for the day we were able to establish and enjoy a new and special friendship.

Date: 29 June
Fort Fetterman – Glen Rock (22.8 miles). Accumulated – 725.8 miles.
Terrain: Unsealed county roads winding through rolling sage brush covered hills.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and windy.
Camp: Deer Creek RV Park, Glen Rock.
Update: A good solid days walking for each group, but nothing more than the usual grind. During the day Jennifer Sharon rang and asked if their family could bring dinner to us in Glen Rock. We had no trouble accepting that invitation. Jennifer provided a pioneer stew based on a recipe in a Mormon pioneer cookbook (it was really good). Desert was a very rich and delicious blueberry or cherry cream pie. As well as enjoying good company and good food, we also celebrated Matt’s 9th birthday (he was very happy with his birthday meal). After so much fun together, our final good byes got a little loud and the camper next door came out and told us all to settle down – whoops!

Date: 30 June
Glen Rock – Casper (29.2 miles). Accumulated – 755 miles.
Terrain: Highway 26 winding through rolling sage brush covered hills.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and windy.
Camp: Fort Casper Campground
Update: Given the rather large distance for the day, I got up early and started pulling on my own at 5:30 am. I started feeling my shin splint almost immediately and I knew it was going to be a hard session. The others met me at around 10 am with another 14.5 miles still to be done. As my shin was very sore, Shari walked with both the morning and afternoon crew. Leaving Shari and the morning crew to their work the rest of us headed off in the RV to the lunch location. While sitting there waiting we were delightfully surprised by the visit of Randy and Collen Smith who we also met at North Platte RV park, where they were camped right next to us. Having previously been involved in youth handcart treks, when they first saw the cart at North Platte it immediately caught their attention. Despite only a brief interaction they began following our progress and indicated they would like to meet up again when we arrived in Casper, their destination and base for a time. On finding us in Casper they immediately spoiled us with treats, and in addition provided some very valuable help by showing us the safest route through Casper to the campground. Further, much to the delight of all of us, but especially the boys, they announced they were supplying pizza for dinner. Colleen dressed up in her pioneer attire and walked with Shari and the afternoon crew. While on the road they were spotted by a local newspaper photographer who took their photo and sent a reporter to the campsite. Treats, directions, pushing, and pizza wasn’t enough for Colleen, in the evening she very kindly collected all of the clothes that needed repairing and used her sowing machine to stitch them all up. It was a delight to sit around the picnic table in the evening light, eating pizza, and sharing experiences as we became more acquainted with our new friends.

Date: 1 July
Casper – Alcova (29 miles). Accumulated – 784 miles.
Terrain: Highway 220 winding through steep, rocky, red bluffs and buttes interspersed with sage brush fields and grass fields.
Weather: A clear fresh morning. Warm, sunny, and very windy for most of the day. Overcast and stormy in the late afternoon and evening.
Camp: Eagle Creek RV and Trailer Park, Alcova.
Update: Once again due to the number of miles I started out at 5:30am, this time, however, I was joined by Randy Smith for the first three hours. It was a real pleasure to walk with Randy. We wound our way around the banks the Platte River on a local park trail, before coming out on the highway and climbing up and out of Casper. We found many themes of common interest and the conversation flowed easily and freely. Colleen met us at the top of the big hill leaving Casper at about 8am, we said our goodbyes and I headed off again. The others caught me up with 14.5 miles still to go. Shari and the morning crew put on 8.3, and then myself and the afternoon crew finished the rest of the journey. We had to contend with another relentless afternoon gale. The wind really strains you, physically and mentally. Half way along we were met by Tom Page, a great friend who has come to replace Elisa for three weeks (Elisa who has to leave the country for a time because of Visa restrictions). Our family first met Tom and his wife Dixie when they served a mission on the church farm in Australia. There primary purpose was to help establish youth handcart treks for the Sydney region. Tom said g’day and then headed to the camp. By the time we arrived, he had already one the rest of the crew over with his fun stories and songs. Elisa left after dinner and we passed a significant landmark in the journey’s timetable.

Date: 2nd July
Alcova – Martin’s Cove Visitor Centre (31 miles). Accumulated – 815
Terrain: Steep on the highway shoulder, through road cuttings for the first 2 hours. Open sage brush plains with rocky ridges on in the distance for the remainder of the day.
Weather: Cool early. Mild during the day, very strong wind blowing from about 11 am. Storm fronts in the afternoon. Some hail.
Camp: Martin’s Cove Missionary Village
Update: Again I left early on my own (6am) in order to ensure that sufficient miles were covered. The highway climbs out of Alcova for several miles, making for a sustained and strenuous first three hours. However, like so many big hill climbs the reward is exhilarating. As I climbed up over the last ridge, stretched out before me were open plains bordered by magnificent granite ridges and outcrops; these were set against the back drop of a deep blue sky and puffy white clouds. It was one of those moments of exhilaration, the reward of a hard slog. Such moments are short lived, but you remember them for a life time. Shari and the morning crew took over to take us up to lunch, and then Shari and the afternoon crew completed the section to Independence Rock. This was to be our campsite, however, we found that camping was not permitted. Tom Page suggested it was realistic to push on to Martin’s Cove, as the Visitors Centre was only 5 miles away. To be sure we could leave the cart there and spend an extra night at the Missionary Village campground, Tom drove off to speak with Elder Freeman (Martin’s Cove Director). The rest of us climbed Independence Rock, so named because of all the pioneer names scratched into the rock, many dating back to the 1800’s. Independence Rock is also significant as a marker of progress across the plains – the pioneers knew if they made it to Independence Rock by the 4th of July they could make their destination before the winter. Elder Page returned to notify us that Elder Freeman was very happy for us to be there a day early. Given that it was getting late, Scott and I pulled the last 5 miles to Martin’s Cove (Scott set a fast 4 mile an hour pace). We entered Martin’s Cove through Rattle Snake Gully which is less than a mile to the south of Devil’s Gate. We then left the cart at the visitors centre and travelled to the Missionary Village 11 miles down the road. This is a very pleasant campsite with many missionary couples and ward youth groups camping there. The wind was blowing out of control, putting the tent under pressure again. Just before the boys fell asleep, Michelle and Eliza Corbin, along with Michelle’s brother Spencer arrived for a visit. This provided a nice surprise for Brett and Conner.

Date: 3rd July
Martin’s Cove Visitor Centre and Trails – Missionary Village Campground (11 miles). Accumulated – 826 miles.
Terrain: Open sage brush plains with rocky ridges close in on the northern boundary. Sweetwater River meandered through the plain.
Weather: Warm day with strong winds.
Camp: Martin’s Cove Missionary Village
Update: Touring the Visitor’s Centre and the Martin’s Cove itself was today’s objective. There is a little village including a blacksmith’s shop, museum, laundry, vegetable garden, handcart building, and homestead. All is immaculately kept and the missionaries are wonderful hosts. The history of the Sun family and ranch (the original owners of the land), the general western pioneer migration and the story of the Willie and Martin handcart companies are the focus of all the exhibits. Having toured the Visitor Centre we then headed out on the local trails with a borrowed hooped canvas handcart(the boys wanted to see how it faired compared to ours). First stop was Devil’s Gate. The Sweetwater runs through this gap in the granite rock. The walls of the narrow and short gorge are approximately seventy metres high. From Devil’s Rock we headed back to the main trail in order to make our way around to Martin’s Cove. The Martin company had been camped down by the Sweetwater River, but due to their poor condition and the blizzard like conditions the rescuers had them move up closer to the large granite walls in order to gain greater protection from the weather. This action was successful, however, in order to get up into the cove a crossing of the icy Sweetwater was required. This was the spot where four young men in the rescue party carried many of the company across the river at great sacrifice to their own physical health. All of the boys from our group took off their shoes and waded through the river at this spot. There is no doubt this is a sacred place. It was a great privilege to have spent some time in this special area. One of the main impressions I had here was that the Lord had consecrated the suffering of the saints from the Willie and Martin companies. Tens of thousands of youth in our day are being blessed as they learn of their great faith and courage, and also their willingness to suffer with grace and gratitude. On returning to the Visitor Centre everyone (including Michelle, Eliza, and Spencer) except me began pulling the cart along the original trail back towards the Missionary Village campground. After an hour Scott and I exchanged places with everyone else, and we completed the last leg.

Date: 4th July
Martin’s Cove Visitor Centre (rest day)
Terrain: Open sage brush plains with rocky ridges close in on the northern boundary. Sweetwater River meandered through the plain.
Weather: Early thunder storm with hail. Overcast and humid, strong winds.
Camp: Martin’s Cove Missionary Village
Update: In the early hours of the morning we were awoken with thunder and lightening, heavy rain, and hail. Just another typical weather pattern on the trek. We attended church at the Visitor’s Centre with all the missionaries and many of their family members who had come to visit for the 4th of July. Following the meetings, we gathered together in a quiet spot by the Sweetwater River in order to ordain Sam a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. In addition to our trek company we had Michelle and Eliza Corbin, Spencer (Michelle’s brother), Don Dorton (a member of our ward Bishopric) and his son Ben, Elder Freeman (President of the Martin’s Cove Branch), and Randy and Colleen Smith (a couple we met on the road who have become firm friends). There was a very peaceful spirit present and all were uplifted and touched during this special occasion. Following this, the missionaries very kindly invited us all to join them in their luncheon. After eating and socializing for a time we returned to the campground. As per usual, the wind was blowing a gale. Don and Ben Dorton stayed the night with us and found it difficult to keep their tent up. We also had a visit from Ephraim Hanks and his wife during the evening (well a missionary couple acting as Ephraim and his wife). They told us the story of Ephraim’s contribution to the rescue effort, and the subsequent meeting of his wife and he. Weather turning very cold and windy.

Date: 5th July
Martin’s Cove Visitor Centre – Jeffery City (29 miles). Accumulated miles – 855.
Terrain: Open sage brush plains and rolling hills with rocky ridges rising up out of the plains. Sweetwater River meandered through the plain.
Weather: Cool early, then warming up. Strong winds all day.
Camp: Jeffery City Lion’s Club Shed.
Update: Ben Dorton went out with the morning crew for two hours. Brother Dorton picked him up to go home on his way out. Scott also left with Brother Dorton (He’s heading back for his sister’s wedding). Tom page and I spent the morning pouring over maps planning out the route and distances up until Bear River City. Tom has been a great resource, his knowledge of the area is immense. We finished by concluding that we could indeed complete the required distance by the 24th of July. It will mean several big days, but if I go out early and pull on my own it can be done. An uneventful day, other than the wind blowing a gale right in our faces, and my shins were pretty sore at the end of the day. Jeffery City looks very deserted, almost like a ghost town. It is in fact an old uranium mining town. The Lion’s Club shed was dusty, mozzie infested, and filled with tumble weeds. Nonetheless, it provided shelter and a place to spend the night. For family home evening Tom taught us the round “Happiness Runs”:

Happiness Runs
Happiness Runs
Happiness Runs
Happiness Runs

Happiness runs in a circular motion,
Life is like a little boat upon the sea.
All your thoughts are deeper than the ocean,
You can be happy if you let yourself be.

A group of cyclists travelling from the east coast to Oregon also camped at the Lion’s Club shed.

Date: 6th July
Jeffery City – Sweetwater Station [6th Crossing] (18 miles). Accumulated (873 miles)
Terrain: Open sage brush plains and rolling hills with rocky ridges rising up out of the plains. Sweetwater River meandered through the plain.
Weather: Overcast and very cold all day.
Camp: Sweetwater Station Campground.
Update: Awoke to a very cold overcast day. Expecting a 24 mile day the first group went out and knocked off twelve miles by lunch. The total day was in fact only eighteen miles, so the afternoon crew were very pleasantly surprised when they arrive at Sweetwater station after travelling only six miles. A couple and their young son stopped to talk to the afternoon crew. After returning to their car the father and son ran back and the son presented us with some fireworks. This was his own initiative, and he said he wanted us to have them for when we celebrated at the end of the journey. What a lovely gesture from a young boy, once again a reminder of the many, many good and wonderful people in this world. As we arrived early at Sweetwater Station we were able to spend some time in the visitor’s centre and watch some videos on this section of the trail. While Martin’s Cove was the rescue location for the Martin Company, sixth crossing (Sweetwater Station) was the location of the Willie Company rescue. The missionaries here were very welcoming and made us feel right at home. The boys also made a fire.

Date: 7th July
Sweetwater Station [6th Crossing] – Sage Creek Campground (14 miles). Accumulated (887miles)
Terrain: Rolling hills with rocky ridges rising up out of the Sweetwater River Valley.
Weather: Cold but sunny morning. Slight breeze. Warmed up during the day.
Camp: Sage Creek Campground.
Update: This section of the trail moves away from paved vehicle access for two days. As such, and given the significance of this section of the trail we sought to make this a special time. For this section the boys were completely responsible for managing the day. They were required to organize the food, pack the cart for two days away from the RV (including all water, food, shelter, and sleeping gear), and determine departure times and rest stops. They undertook this task with enthusiasm and we all headed out together at 10:30am. Only a short way into the sage brush we found the unusual dampness of the spring and the vicinity of the river had contributed to an infestation of mozzies (mosquitoes). We were literally covered in them, and any bear skin was constantly attacked. Even clothing didn’t provide complete protection! Recent rain and previous flooding of the Sweetwater also contributed to the trail being muddy in places, and in some sections there were long sections of knee deep water and mud. For about an hour we pulled in bear feet and trousers rolled up (not much Shari could do with her dress). Of course the mozzies found the bear legs irresistible. After a while we began to climb out and away from the river and this relieved the mozzie attacks to some degree (but not much). The trail continued to wind further away from the river and to climb more steeply. Prior to the beginning of this section of the trail I called the company together and provided a description of two activities undertaken on some youth treks. These activities (silent time and the women’s pull) are intended to provide powerful reflection time for the youth. On the youth treks, usually at the hardest part of the first day the company stops, each Ma and Pa gather their family around and explain they are about to be put on silence. This means there can be no verbal communication. It is explained this will be a time to reflect on the sacrifices of the pioneers, on the sacrifice of the Saviour, on the appreciation each has for their parents and family, and on their feelings about the gospel and what it means in their life. As silent time progresses, and during the most difficult section, the Pa pulls each young man off the cart and quietly explains that the young women will be left to pull on their own and no physical or verbal help may be given. Generally, this is a very powerful experience for both the young women and young men. The young women look deep inside for extra strength and find they can do more than they thought. The young men grow in respect and appreciation for the young women and become very frustrated at not being able to help. This becomes a powerful moment of change in the normal youth trek experience. Although not in a position to replicate that experience, we did undertake an activity designed to bring about similar outcomes. We undertook a silent time, and during the silent time we completed a “pairs pull”. We all started on the cart in silence at the most gentle part of the climb. After a short distance, the boys were directed to let go of the cart while Shari and I pulled. We pulled for a time on our own and then as the climb increased we exchanged our position with Justin and Matthew, they then pulled alone. At this point the trail is heading up and is stony and is regularly interrupted with small wash outs. Pulling a fully loaded cart in this section with the whole family is difficult, for just two boys it is extremely hard work. After a relatively short but very strenuous stretch, Conner and Sam replaced Justin and Matt. The same process was repeated over a slightly longer stretch. Brett and Joshua replaced Conner and Brett and pulled over a longer and steeper section. As the trail reached the steepest and most difficult section I motion to all the boys not to touch the cart, and indicated to Shari that it was her turn. Although straining with all her effort and refusing to give in, it was very difficult to move very far and she was only able to go a short distance. The boys were uncomfortable and concerned as they watched, feeling very helpless, and as soon as I indicated for them all to get on and helped they rushed in with great speed. We negotiated the last section together and sat at the top of the hill to reflect on the experience. This was a very moving experience, having undertaken just a small, very difficult section provided new perspective about what the pioneers really undertook. Many were women whose husbands had died. Many were weak and emaciated, and many were elderly; they pulled every day through mud, sand, and rivers. In the case of the Willie and Martin companies, they pulled in blizzard conditions in deep snow and freezing winds, with little protective clothing. In such moments of reflection one cannot help but be overwhelmed with awe and gratitude for those people. We all felt this as we sat on the top of the hill on a very peaceful warm summer day. After taking some time to share our feelings and to enjoy the view, we continued on down the trail. The missionaries at Sweetwater Station had provided us with a map showing the various trails and some major and minor roads between Sixth Crossing and Rock Creek Hollow. There were also official “Mormon Trail” markers every half mile or so. In addition to these there were black arrows and signs put in place by the missionaries. All of this was very helpful until we came across a black arrow directing us away from the official “Mormon Trail” markers. With our understanding that the black arrows were put in place by the missionaries we determined to follow the arrow. This, however, appeared to be leading us away from where the map indicated we should be. After 20-30 minutes we decided following the “Mormon Trail” markers was a better option. Unfortunately, although we had a general idea of where they should be, we were unable to find the official trail again. As a result we had to follow a road that climbed steeply and added another two or three miles to our journey. Eventually, we got ourselves back on track, but we did not arrive at the camp until 10:30pm. Although we were weary, the sunset that evening was majestic. The rugged Wyoming Rocky Mountains reached up into the sky on the horizon right at the point the sun was setting. These in conjunction with a band of cloud and the beautiful colour of the setting sun provided a very edifying view as we travelled on down the road. We arrived at camp tired but satisfied, with the expectation of Rocky Ridge in our minds.

Date: 8th July
Sage Creek Campground – Rock Creek Hollow (14 miles). Accumulated (901 miles)
Terrain: Rolling hills with rocky ridges rising up out of the Sweetwater River Valley.
Weather: Mild sunny morning, warm during the day. Clear blue sky.
Camp: Rock Creek Hollow Campground.
Update: We awoke to a clear sky and heavy dew. Given the heavy pulling the day before, we were all anxious about the climb up Rocky Ridge, a climb we had been informed was steep and difficult. This section of the trial is significant as it was here that a number of the Willie Company perished in one day. Although having been located by the rescuers, the rescue wagons with supplies and room for passengers were waiting at Rock Creek Hollow, 14 miles away with a steep, harsh, rocky climb known as Rocky Ridge along the route. In snow and freezing conditions, lacking proper warm clothing, and suffering from sickness and hunger the brave souls of the Willie company undertook this very difficult section of the trail. As we set out from Sage Creek the sun was shinning, the weather warm, and we were well fed and fit. Although not physically overwhelming, we had to work hard expending significant physical effort. The thought of undertaking that effort in the conditions described above is mind boggling, that anyone survived is a miracle. Having negotiated the final rocky shelf we set the cart down and stood around the upper monument to reflect on the faith, courage, and persistence of all the early pioneers, but in particular those of the Willie Company. We then spread ourselves out on the upper most part of the ridge and enjoyed our lunch. While eating and enjoying the view, we caught a glimpse of a horse and rider followed by a company of handcarts coming up the path we had just negotiated. This turned out to be the youth of the Mount Olympus Stake (Diocese) who were undertaking a four day trek experience, visiting both Martin’s Cove and the Sweetwater Station region. We exchanged pleasantries as they passed, and soon caught up with them again. Much to the delight of our older boys their group took a great interest in what we were up to. We ended up spending the afternoon travelling together, and they very cordially invited us to have dinner with them. We were also invited to attend an evening devotional in which many of the youth shared feelings about their handcart experience and the impact it had in their lives. We thoroughly enjoyed their company and were extremely grateful for the wonderful hospitality shown us. Dinner was hamburgers followed by home made ice cream and chocolate sauce – you can’t beat that! We also enjoyed a sweet reunion with Tom Page who we had not seen for two days. It was good to have him and the RV close at hand again.

Reply
Clive Haydon
July 29th, 2010 at 18:32

Date: 9th July
Rock Creek Hollow – South Pass City Outskirts (12 miles). Accumulated (913 miles)
Terrain: Unsealed county roads. Open sage brush and grass plains changing to rolling hills with scattered rocky ridges.
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Camp: On the side of the road two miles south west of South Pass City.
Update: The Mount Olympus Stake (Diocese) spoiled us again by inviting us to breakfast. Bacon and eggs, hash browns, and pancakes with syrup were on the menu. We all indulged eagerly. We said our good byes, spent some time viewing the gravesite and monument for those of the Willie Company who died crossing Rocky Ridge. Listed among those who perished is the name of Bodil Mortensen. Bodil was just nine years old and was travelling with family friends, her parents had stayed behind in Denmark unable to afford to come themselves. Bodil’s parents did not come to a knowledge of there daughter’s death until the following year when they arrived in Salt Lake. They would have passed right by their daughter’s grave and not known it. Such stories highlight the price the early saints were prepared to pay as they sought to keep their commitment to serve God with all their heart, mind, and strength. The morning was now getting on and it was time for the morning crew to hit the road. The day was uneventful, just back to the usual pulling and pushing along county roads. We camped on BLM land next to an outcrop of granite, which was great for rock scrambling and getting a view of the mountains on the horizon. At about 8pm Brandon Corbin (Brett and Conner’s brother) and their Uncle Spencer arrived. I knew they were coming, but no one else did, so this provided a nice surprise.

Date: 10th July
South Pass City Outskirts – The False Parting of the Ways (19 miles). Accumulated (932 miles)
Terrain: Unsealed county road and Highway 28. Open sage brush and grass plains with occasional buttes and other outcrops rising up.
Weather: Warm, overcast, windy, and a brief storm.
Camp: False Parting of the Ways Historical Marker pullover.
Update: Spencer headed out with the morning crew and they made good time. The morning crew crossed the continental divide during their session. Brandon joined the afternoon crew. We all stopped in at the South Pass historical marker. South Pass is the lowest point in the Rocky Mountain range in Wyoming, thus making it the best point for wagons and handcarts to cross. During the afternoon shift a fairly strong afternoon thunderstorm blew in. We had stopped in a pullover and taken shelter under the cart when a pick up truck pulled in. The guy driving opened the window told us to hop in. He and his wife shared cinnamon licorice with us while we waited for the storm to pass. It only took fifteen minutes and it was all over. There wasn’t much to our campground, but the boys had fun exploring the sage brush and Matthew, Michael, Shari, Tom, and I played cricket. Brandon and Spencer headed home before it got too late. The False Parting of the Ways is a spot that was initially marked as the point at which the Mormon/California trails split from the Oregon trail. It was later discovered, however, the correct location was further to the south west, hence the name.

Date: 11th July
The False Parting of the Ways – Farson (24 miles). Accumulated (956 miles)
Terrain: Highway 28. Open sage brush and grass plains with occasional buttes and other outcrops rising up.
Weather: Warm, overcast, windy, and a brief storm.
Camp: RV hook up located behind the Farson ice cream shop.
Update: Although it was Sunday we decided to walk as we had no capacity for water, electricity, shower, or sewer. Tom Page had driven ahead to Farson the day before and discovered a sight where we could hook up and get the necessary hook up to at least get water and a shower. So we headed for Farson. On arrival in Farson, we all got a shower and then conducted our church service.

Date: 12th July
Farson – Intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 372 (28.9 miles). Accumulated (984.9 miles)
Terrain: Highway 28. Open sage brush and grass plains with occasional buttes and other outcrops rising up.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and windy.
Camp: Gravel dump at the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 372
Update: I left alone at 5:30 am. To begin with it was a still morning and the dawn slowly broke across the desert. As I pulled the sun was behind me and I could see my shadow, the shadow of a man pulling a handcart, clearly cast across the sage brush, while the empty road stretched out endlessly in front. As I watched it I thought how it represented so well the journey of life. Each of us has handcarts (heavy loads) to pull through the deserts and endless roads of life. The loads in our cart might be sickness, sorrow, loneliness, fear, doubt, injury, sin, financial troubles, etc. Often we feel as if we are the only ones on the road. But this symbol of the pioneer pulling a handcart also reminds us how to respond to such challenges – with faith, courage, persistence, and gratitude. It also reminds such responses ultimately lead us out of the desert and to the destination we are seeking for. I had plenty of time for such pondering as back in Farson Tom Page was shouting everyone an ice cream, so it was a while before they got to me! Shari figured I’d done enough and she went out with the morning and afternoon crews to finish of the miles. Our campsite really was in the middle of nowhere, and the only thin other than a shed and the highway traffic were telephone poles stretching out to the empty horizon. Not long after we had the afternoon crew arrived a car with a signing indicating it was driven by the local politician pulled up. I thought we might be in trouble for camping where we were, however, it turned that Kathy Davis is a Latter-day Saint was very interested in what we were doing. In fact by the end of our conversation we had arranged for Kathy and her grandson Donny to come out and pull with us the next day. About 6pm Jeff Carter (Justin’s Dad) arrived for a scheduled visit. Brett and Sam conducted Family Home Evening (FHE) – the theme was faith. Follow FHE the boys set about setting up camp in the sage brush.

Date: 13th July
Intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 372 – Granger (32 miles). Accumulated (1,016.9miles)
Terrain: Highway 372, then mining company roads through sage brush covered hills, buttes, and other sandy outcrops.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and windy.
Camp: Roy Adams Park, Granger
Update: Left before dawn again. Made good time, but had to wait for an hour for the others after turning onto a mining road with a sign indicating no access. When the others arrived Kathy Davis, her husband Don, and her grandson Ronny were with them. Kathy and Don drove up the road to the mine and gained permission for us to walk on their roads. Kathy also loaded us up with bread, fresh fruit, and lots of treats –very generous and kind of her to do so, and much appreciated. The morning crew had some big hills and heat. The afternoon crew suffered in the face of a relentless gale force wind. After arriving at camp Conner and Joshua built a big Teepee frame, it was quite the construction, although big, bad dad said they couldn’t use the big tarp on it. Today we passed the 1,000 mile mark and so we celebrated in a big way. Before dinner there were Reeces Peanut Butter Bars and lollies. For dinner we had roast chicken and vegetables. After dinner we enjoyed fruit flavored drink, lollies, fresh pineapple, rock melon, icy poles, and chocolate.

Date: 14th July
Granger – Fort Bridger (34 miles). Accumulated (1050.9 miles)
Terrain: Mormon Trail Road (unsealed county road) through sage brush covered hills, buttes, and other sandy outcrops. In addition, this region is dotted with petrol wells and tanks – literally hundreds.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and windy.
Camp: Fort Bridger RV Park.
Update: Started out before dawn again. The road was, gravelly, stony, and hard to pull on. After a number of hard days I’m starting to feel pretty weary. It was tough pulling, but I kept thinking that tomorrow will be the hardest day of all. However, by the end of tomorrow we will be on schedule to make it in on Pioneer Day. It felt like walking through a moonscape – barren, sandy outcrops, and petrol tanks. Fort Bridger RV Park was luxury after the primitive camp sites of the last ten days. There were laundry facilities, showers, a park, soft green lawn, electricity, and internet connection.

Date: 15th July
Fort Bridger – Bear River City (42 miles). Accumulated (1092.9 miles)
Terrain: Unsealed and sealed county road through grazing land and sage brush. Some steep and long hills. Two reservoirs along the route. Finished on Highway 150.
Weather: Warm, sunny, and breezy.
Camp: Mountain cabin owned by Leigh and Becky Francis.
Update: This was the biggest day of the trek. Long distance, with difficult terrain in the middle. I left early, and felt weary almost immediately. My muscles were sore and I knew it was going to be hard to keep up the pace of previous days. I also knew, however, if we were to get in by dark I had to give us a very good start. By the time I reached the beginning of the big climb that lead over into the Piedmont valley I was spent. I started at a very slow rate, thankfully however the RV arrived before I had gone too far, and it was left to Shari, Justin, Conner, and Josh to pull up what was a difficult and steep climb. By the time they had negotiated the big hill and eased their way down the steep decline into the next valley, the morning crew were met by Michael, Virginia, Paisley, and Andrew Hunter who had come to join us for a day and a night. There was still another long and constant hill to climb before the end of the shift, so the help and the company was greatly appreciated. The afternoon crew took over at 4pm with a little over 13½ miles to go. Thankfully, however, most of the uphill had been completed. We maintained a consistent and steady pace, arriving at the cabin before 8:30pm weary but satisfied with our effort at having completed the hardest day of the trek. We were also spoiled again as the Hunters cooked dinner for us, and our hosts, Leigh and Becky Francis, provided root beer and home made ice cream. We were made to feel very welcome by the Francis’ and they even had us stay inside their very comfortable cabin. Sleeping in doors was quite the treat!

Date: 16th July
Bear River City – Deseret Land & Live Stock [Wasatch, Utah] (20.5 miles). Accumulated (1113.4 miles)
Terrain: Highway 150, local sealed roads in Evanston, and unsealed county road. Rolling sage brush hills and urban landscape.
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Camp: Youth pioneer trek staging area on the church farm (Deseret Land & Livestock).
Update: The spoiling by the Hunter’s continued with them cooking bacon and eggs and pancakes for breakfast. The morning crew was bolstered by Virginia Hunter who walked for a while, and also the Francis children – Landon and Aspen – who walked to the outskirts of Evanston. There was further help in Evanston when David and April Baird arrived with their family. April and Austin walked with the morning crew until lunch. The afternoon crew also had extra help, with David, Austin, Aubrey, and Emma all joining the team. During the afternoon shift we all joined up to cross the border into Utah together. There was lots of singing, shouting, and yahooing. We celebrated with chocolate and Twizzlers. We were made to feel very welcome by the missionaries at Deseret Land and Livestock. Elder Hawk and his wife came to visit the camp, and then he very graciously drove me over the next day’s route. In order to get onto the old Highway 30 and avoid I80, we needed to travel across the church property and also into the next privately owned property. We had gained permission to do this, and Elder Hawk showed me the route. It was now evening and the light was beautiful, particularly as we travelled down Heiner Canyon, a wide valley bounded by large red and orange rock pillars. The canyon eventually comes out three miles down Highway 30 in Echo Canyon, a perfect position for our needs.

Date: 17th July
Deseret Land & Live Stock [Wasatch, Utah] – Heiner Canyon picnic shelter (12 miles). Accumulated (1125.4 miles)
Terrain: Highway Dirt track through rolling sage brush hills and large valley bounded by rock pillars.
Weather: Warm and overcast, clearing late in the day.
Camp: Heiner Canyon picnic shelter.
Update: Breakfast was a change from porridge and included water melon, rock melon, bananas, and muesli bars. In addition, the Bairds very kindly supplied mini muffins and bagels. We all walked together as the RV could not travel the route, and the Bairds followed behind in their car with April and Dave trading between driving and walking. Tom Page took the RV down I-80 and came in from the bottom end. The canyon was very picturesque. We also saw a number of animals including a skunk (Dave ran pretty fast when he saw that running towards us), deer, pot guts, and a badger. The camp ground included a shelter with several picnic tables, porta-loo, fire pit, and water. There was a big reservoir which was nearly empty and very muddy, and it didn’t take long for all the kids to get filthy. We were also paid a visit by the general manager of the property, Jeff Young. He was very welcoming, and it turned out he was the Bishop of one of the wards (parish) in Henefer, and he provided directions for how to get to church tomorrow. Late in the day Tom Page informed us his wife was coming to pick him up this evening as all of his children and their families were in town for a special visit. We were sad to see him go, he has been so much fun and a great help. Before he left we all sang the songs he had taught us and ate chocolate pudding. As he drove away the boys were chanting his self-impose nick name – “Grumpy”, “Grumpy”, “Grumpy”.

Date: 18th July
Heiner Canyon picnic shelter (Rest day).
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Camp: Heiner Canyon picnic shelter.
Update: We were all up early and off down the road to attend church at Henefer. We enjoyed the meetings and people were very friendly and interested in what we were doing. After church we headed to the town park for lunch and some chill out time in the shade. The Bairds stayed for lunch, but then headed off home. However, they have left their 11 year old son Austin who is going to trek the last week with us. Once we had relaxed and enjoyed the peace of the park we loaded back in the RV and headed for home. Back at camp in the evening the boys were in the middle of hosing themselves down in their underwear when a car came up the road. Much to everyone’s surprise it was the Hudgens family (friends from Provo). The boys moved like lightening to find their trousers when they realized who it was. It was quite humorous. The Hudgens brought us bean dip, salsa, corn chips, and water melon for dinner. We really have been getting spoiled. It was great to enjoy their company for an hour or so before they headed home.

Reply
Clive Haydon
July 30th, 2010 at 21:30

Date: 19th July
Heiner Canyon picnic shelter – Echo Canyon Reservoir (13 miles). Accumulated (1138.4 miles)
Terrain: Dirt track through rolling sage brush hills and large valley bounded by rock pillars. Highway 30. County road around the reservoir.
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Camp: Echo Reservoir Resort campground.
Update: This was a very relaxed day and we were all in camp by 1pm. We set up on the shaded reservoir beach were the boys spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and relaxing. Elisa and Scott arrived to rejoin us about 2pm. Peter Rancie and Damien Bear also came out for an hour to say g’day. Conner and Josh conducted Family Home Evening and lead us in learning the song Faith in Every Footstep. Once the sun set the boys played capture the flag until bed time.

Date: 20th July
Echo Canyon Reservoir (Rest day).
Weather: Sunny and warm. Small storm in the evening.
Camp: Echo Reservoir Resort campground.
Update: We have done so well in making up days that we got a day ahead, and as such we needed to take an additional rest day so that we can arrive on pioneer day. This was a good opportunity for some personal reflection. Each of the boys were given a serious of questions to ponder and answer in their journals, a pioneer story to read, an article on the responsibility of young men in the church to read, and a list of other activities to choose from. Having received these they were then directed to spend the next to hours in a quite spot on their own. The following is the list of questions they were given to consider:

1. What am I most grateful for as a result of this experience?
2. What have I learnt about myself as a result of this experience?
3. What quality of the pioneers do I want to develop in my own life.
4. Review your trek personal goals. Tick the ones you achieved. Look at the ones you didn’t and consider if they are still important to you.
5. Write at least three personal goals for the next year.

Other activities:
– Read Elder Beck’s conference talk (
– Read your pioneer story
– Write in your journal
– Read scriptures
– Complete Duty to God activities
– Pray, ponder, and listen

At the completion of two hours everyone returned for lunch – our last batch of pioneer pancakes. They were called pioneer pancakes because Shari made them really big. After lunch the rest of the day was spent swimming. Quite a contrast to how most of the trek had been. The final activity of the day was another round of capture the flag.

Date: 21st July
Echo Canyon Reservoir – Henefer (8 miles). Accumulated (1146.4miles)
Terrain: Dirt track through rolling sage brush hills and large valley bounded by rock pillars. Highway 30. County road around the reservoir.
Weather: Sunny, warm, and windy. Afternoon thunderstorms and light showers.
Camp: Henefer Pioneer Park.
Update: As it was only a very short day I didn’t wake the boys until 11am, and we didn’t start walking until 12pm. In addition, we all walked together for the entire distance. We had a late lunch in the Henefer Town Park while a thunder storm passed by. After the storm, we finished off the last mile to Henefer Pioneer Park, arriving about 4pm. After dinner we practiced singing Faith in Every Footstep around a fire built by Joshua, before having to retire to the picnic shelter due to frequent showers. We also enjoyed wedding cake for supper (brought by Elisa and Scott who had attended their sister’s wedding while they were away).

Date: 22nd July
Henefer – East Canyon Resort (12.1 miles). Accumulated (1158.5 miles)
Terrain: US Highway 65 winding through big hills with the Wasatch mountains rising up close behind.
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Camp: East Canyon Resort RV Park.
Update: The boys had requested that Shari and I swap crews, and so I headed out in the morning crew with Justin and Joshua. Conner had a stomach upset and was unable to walk. We made good time and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery. The afternoon crew took over about 11am and quickly finished off the last 4 miles. The East Canyon Resort had all the services we needed to have for our final clean up. We all got a shower, we did the last of laundry (glad to have that finished), and the boys swam and played basketball. During the afternoon we had a number of visitors arrive. Melissa Russell and Shaun Nua, friends from my masters program came out to join us for two days and nights. They brought with them Jessica Taylor, a good friend of ours from Australia who is holidaying on the US, who is going to walk with us tomorrow. And late in the day Tom Page, his wife Dixie, and his son Ronnie joined us for the evening. It was quite the party atmosphere, which was great because it was Ronnie’s birthday and he got a rousing send off. There are few sweeter things in life than enjoying the company of great friends.

Date: 23nd July
East Canyon Resort – Affleck Park (9.7 miles). Accumulated (1168.2miles)
Terrain: US Highway 65 winding through Wasatch mountains including climbing over Big Mountain. Aspen groves interspersed with many other species of small trees and shrubs.
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Camp: Affleck Park.
Update: Shaun and Jessica joined the morning crew, and we headed out early to begin the big climb up Big Mountain. This was by far the steepest climb of the trek, and it was a good solid work out. Along the way we were met by Mike, a reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune who took the details of our journey. About a mile and a half short of the summit of Big Mountain we stopped in a large pull over to await the RV. Despite the heavy pulling it had still been a fairly relaxed morning, and we sat in the shade enjoying the mountain views and eating sugary sweets. The afternoon crew, including Melissa, arrived and we swapped. Not long after, however, we were all together again, meeting at the top of Big Mountain to cross over into Salt Lake County together. From this point we got our first glimpse of the Salt Lake Valley, it was a thrilling moment and one that had been a long time coming. At this point we were also met by Steve, a photographer for the Salt Lake Tribune, and he stayed with us for the remainder of the walk. The afternoon crew quickly completed the down hill section to Affleck Park, and once again we were in camp in the early afternoon. The afternoon was spent enjoying some rest in the shade and catching up on maintenance tasks. After dinner we practiced Faith in Every Footstep again and then gathered for our final evening prayer. In has been an interesting few days, after having so many long and difficult days for so long, it has been strange to have it so easy. In some ways we have felt finished, and yet we are not at our destination. As we all laid down under the stars for our final sleep we were very merry, filled with excitement; this was evident in the amount of sleeping bag wrestling and other silly business going on. The final task of the last night was to pack the cart so that we could leave first thing in the morning.

Date: 24th July (Pioneer Day)
Affleck Park – This is the Place Park (12.3 miles). Accumulated (1180.5 miles)
Terrain: US Highway 65 winding through Wasatch Mountains including climbing over Little Mountain. Aspen groves interspersed with many other species of small trees and shrubs. Later, the semi urban environment of Emigration Canyon.
Weather: Sunny and warm, a perfect day.
Update: We awoke at 5am to ensure we had sufficient time to complete the miles by midday. Everyone was excited, and the atmosphere was enhanced as we could hear the yells and hoots of the marathon runners who were starting out on Big Mountain. We were all on the road together by 6am and found ourselves amongst the tail end of the marathon runners. The crews at the marathon water stations were happy cheer us on and supply cups of water. It was a beautiful morning, and the light on the mountain valleys and reservoirs gave them a postcard appearance. When we reached Little Mountain the time was only 8am. We now had some time up our sleeves, so we climbed the summit of Little Mountain for our final devotional. It was the perfect place for such an activity. We lingered at the top singing hymns and taking in the moment before climbing down to begin the final 7.5 miles of the trek. Once we were within three miles we started having people drive out to us to say g’day. A number of members of the Mount Olympus Stake drove by and one coupled walked with us for a mile. At another point a member of the Mount Olympus Stake introduced us to his elderly father who was a descendent of handcart pioneers and has a passion for their history. Within the last mile we were mobbed by the Corbins, Joshua Carter, a bunch of Bairds, and a few others. Finally, we rounded the corner to see the entrance of This is the Place Park. Tom Page was across the road taking photos and the boys began chanting “Grumpy”, “Grumpy”, Grumpy”. The group who had mobbed us now lead us through the car parks, directing us to the gathering location. As we turned the final corner and the monument area came into sight we were greeted by a small crowd of well wishers, some carrying welcome home banners. We walked right up to the monument, then had one final cinnamon scroll (family hug) amongst the cheers and hoots of the crowd. Everyone then gathered in and there was much hugging, back slapping, hand shaking, and tears. A number of television and newspaper journalists were present, and grabbed us here and there for interviews. It was a euphoric experience, one of those moments that will be remembered for a life time. After everyone had taken the time to catch up and reunite we moved across to the handcart monument for a memorial service, the closing event of the trek. This included prayers, hymns, and some thoughts of gratitude and insight from each of the trek members. It was only a simple ceremony and yet there was a special spirit present, it was a fitting way to finish. Following this event we all mingled and met many special people, many who had special connections with the handcart pioneers, and some who very graciously provided us with precious gifts. Brett, Conner, and Justin left with their families, and then it was finally time for us to leave. There was still much to do in the way of unpacking and cleaning up, but the trek itself was over; we no longer had to pull the cart, move camp, worry about storms, keep motivated, or meet the many other daily challenges that had been our lot for the last 71 days. What a relief!

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Grandma Neese
July 31st, 2010 at 19:19

Well done to all of you. Great accomplishment, a memory for your life times. Congratulations again!!!

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