5am!!
For the most part, our group of 6 teens were feeling perky!
(Except for maybe one, who made sure we all knew she wasn't happy to be up. haha) :)
One slept through her alarm, and woke to the musical sound of my finger to her doorbell!!! :)
My bus-mate. I think buses have shrunk since 8th grade!
We're a little excited for the 6 hour drive to Wyoming!!
Many slept on the way...
Tryin' on these bonnets!
We later made duct-tape art! Accessories of all kinds...
Here at last! Some are still sleeping... :)
Administered my first Dora Explorer band-aid (!) to this sorry lookin' fellow :)
We visited an area called Martin's Cove. This is the actual place where many pioneers in the Martin Handcart Company lost their lives. There was a terrible blizzard, and they found some relative safety from the elements in this rock cove for about 5 days. Their journey continued after many left their loved ones in their graves of snow.
5.5 mile day
Our ward "Ma and Pa", the Hancocks.
They were fabulous and made sure our group stayed hydrated and cool!
Potty breaks. Line was always long.
I couldn't imagine traveling with a group as large as the Martin Handcart company - 500 people!
We were only about 200.
We listened to the volunteer senior missionaries tell us about some of the stories of the pioneers in this area. One mother asked her children to give up some of their rations (2oz. of flour mixed with water) to a man who had nothing to eat. I cannot imagine that kind of sharing, giving and sacrifice. They literally shared everything they had. They were unified in reaching the promised safety of the Salt Lake Valley. Hunger, pain, death, and bitter weather did not prevent them from living in joy because they knew their Savior Jesus Christ. What a testimony to all!
In Martin's Cove, during the heavy blizzard, 56 people died. After being there for 5 days, this is when Ephraim Hanks came with rescue supplies and much needed buffalo meat. We all saw the movie about Ephraim Hanks, called Ephraim's Rescue, which I think made this a more meaningful experience.
They walked, and walked, and walked.
These three statues commemorate the Sweetwater Rescue, which depict four young men, ages 17-21, who risked their lives to assist those in the Martin company cross the freezing Sweetwater river after leaving Martin's Cove. Each boy crossed the river 36 times. It had a feeling of reverence and respect.
Walking back to the buses.
Sweetwater Camp for the evening.
So grateful for the food and equipment committee who made our meals! We appreciated those meals in a new way!
They even washed our dishes!!! Venus was such a doll!
Then it was time for some square dancing.
Great way to end the first day!
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