Press Release

Mormon Trail Handcart Trek 2010 – The Last Crossing (Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Last Handcart Journeys)

Dates: May 13– August 11, 2010.

Participants: The Haydon family (Clive-42, Shari-38, Samuel-11, Joshua-9, Matthew-8, and Michael-2), Justin Carter-15, Brett Corbin-16, and Conner Corbin-14. Support crew: Elisa Rancie-34 (logistics and driver), and Scott Rancie-23 (film and information technology).

Route and Distance: Omaha, Nebraska to Salt Lake City, Utah (This is the Place Monument Park). Total distance = 1,160.2 miles (1,867.2 km).

Method: Participants will walk from Omaha to Salt Lake City pulling a handcart and dress in pioneer attire. Although a re-enactment, absolute authenticity of equipment, clothing, and food is not an objective. Food will be prepared on a gas stove and other necessary services will be provided via an RV manned by a support crew.

Statement of Intent

The overall purpose of the 2010 Mormon Trail Handcart Trek is to mark the 150th anniversary of the crossing of the final Latter-day Saint (Mormon) handcart companies. The Robison and Stoddard companies were the last two of ten companies that crossed the plains to Salt Lake City Utah between 1856 and 1860. In marking this anniversary we seek to honor the Latter-day Saint handcart pioneers, build our own faith, and provide others with an opportunity to become familiar with the legacy of faith and courage left by these courageous pioneers.

Further information can be found on our Facebook page “Mormon Trail Handcart Trek 2010”, or by contacting Clive Haydon via email (cghaydon@bigpond.com).

**Correspondance with The Daily Universe at BYU**

On May 25, 2010, at 10:44 PM, CGHaydon wrote: 

> G'day Lindsey,
>
> Sorry not to reply earlier, just keeping the show on the road is taking a major
effort. I will answer your questions below directly after them.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Clive.
>
>
> ---- Lindsey Shumway <lshumway@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Clive!
>>
>> We'll have a new story about you guys in the Daily Universe on Thursday.
>>
>> I've been thinking about some things I would love to know for future stories. Here
are some questions I was hoping you, Shari or the PR representatives for the crew could
answer.
>>
>> 1. Let's talk about food. What are you eating? How are you cooking? Is everyone
involved in the cooking/cleaning or do you have an assigned cook? Would you be willing
to share a recipe that you have made on the trail that everyone liked? Photos of that
recipe too would be great!
>
> Shari has prepared a 2 week menu. So 14 different meals all repeated each two weeks.
We are not trying to be authentic with food. The goal is easy, healthy, and practical.
We have now been through the menu once, it includes fried rice, pasta and salad, taco
soup, shepherd's pie, beef stew, beef strogenoff (spelling?), and more. I'll have Shari
post the menu on facebook. For breakfast we have porridge with brown sugar. Lunch is
two peanut butter and jam/honey sandwiches, a piece of fruit, and a sweet or dry
biscuit. Not lavish, but sufficient. The boys eat everything in site and complain that
there isn't enough, but they have sufficient.
>
>
>>
>> 2. Do you have guidelines for receiving help? Can people bring you things on the
trail or would you prefer they leave you alone so your experience is more authentic? We
are quite happy to have people interact with us, that is one of the main objectives, to
connect with people and build relationships of trust. So far while working we have been
given a 3 liter bottle of ice child water (that was great, and we still use the
bottle), chocolate cup cakes, orange soda, and two lot of $20. All this from people who
have just seen us and wanted to help out. It invites a wonderful spirit. Also, our ward
in Provo has put together a box of goodies which they are sending with Justin's parents
at the end of the month.
>
> Also when we have interacted with the local members they have been fantastic. They
have provided property to stay on, meals, washed and dried our clothes and been so
encouraging.
>>
>> 3. What does your support crew do? How does that work? walkie-talkies? driving
behind you at 5 MPH through the grass?
>
> We have split the day into three shifts. Morning walkers head out at 7am (Shari,
Justin, Sam, and Josh). The support crew and the rest of us stay back and pack up
tents, wash up breakfast and take of other maintenance. After about 2 and a half hours
the support crew drive us to the morning walkers, normally around 6 miles. We get out
and we all walk the next six miles, and the RV heads up to the 12 mile mark and waits.
At the 12 mile mark the morning walkers head to camp in the RV to set up and cook
dinner. Then myself Brett, Conner, and Matthew finish off whatever is left, normally at
least 6 miles at times up to 11. So the support crew provide the transport, they are
available for water refill and toilet stops during the middle of the day, and they help
with set up and pack up. It' actually safer for them not to be right behind us. In
addition, Elisa plans out the route and miles for each day. She also determines the
best campsites and books us into those. She manages the budget and does the shopping.
Her tasks also include dumping all the waste from the RV. Scott is responsible for
filming and providing internet connection and keeping our Facebook and blog operational
(not an easy task on limited download and wireless coverage).
>>
>> 4. Are you walking near major roads? country roads? private property? have you run
into any problems with fences being in your way?
>>
>
> Mainly on county roads, some paved some unpaved, often between corn fields and cow
paddocks. Occasionally on state highways, although the pace is quicker on these the
stress levels are much higher. It has been hard on the unpaved county roads in the wet
as the gravel gets heavy to pull in,with occasional very muddy sections. We have been
pulled over by one Sheriff and two state troopers. The Sheriff made us walk in the
heavy ground off the road, the two troopers just had a chat and took an interest in
what we were doing.
>
>> 5. Have you had any missionary experiences? talking to strangers? handing out BOM?
>
> Many. People stop and talk to us all the time. Often in the campsites they stay for a
long chat and come back two or three times. We always offer them a chance to pull the
cart. The boys brought a group of youth back from a local park one night and now they
are following us on Facebook. When people keep coming back and show extra interest we
share a Book of Mormon with them as a gesture of appreciation for their interest and
kindness with a personalized message. These have all been received very well. Two or
three people have stopped to tell us that there great grandparents walked in some of
the handcart companies, and although they are not members they are very proud of the
connection.
>
>
>>
>> 6. Spirituality on the trail. Are you reading scriptures together? Saying prayers?
FHE? Studying more histories or is that over now?
>
>
> Morning and evening prayers and blessing the food. Family scripture study, but not
every day (just depends on how it all pans out), we are reading Third Nephi. Held our
own Sunday service last Sunday as it was not practical to go to church. Sam, Conner,
and Brett all gave talks and the sacrament was administered (this has been authorized
by our Bishop). It was a great meeting. Family home evening is on the agenda for next
week, as is returning to some of the historical stories on Sunday afternoon. Every day
requires faith and listening to the spirit. There are many challenges: blisters, sore
bodies, kids fighting, traffic, weather (heat, rain, wind that just about carries you
away), apprehension, homesickness, finding places to stay, etc. All require seeking
strength and confidence through faith and prayer.
>>
>> 7. Origins of the Haydon family. Are you descendants of Mormon handcart pioneers?
Were you 1st generation LDS in Australia? (Basically are you yourselves pioneers? In
what ways?)
>
> Shari's parents and my mother are converts. As far as we know other than our siblings
no other members of our families are members of the church. Shari's parents conversion
story is worth sharing, but bed calls, so I will provide this next time.