Martin's Cove Wyoming

Youth Conference 2009 at Martin's Cove was absolutely amazing and a testimony building experience for our family and the youth of our stake.

Dan and I were asked to be a Ma and Pa for a group of 8 youth for the three day trek.

We had no idea who was assigned to our family until we were on the buses and heading to Wyoming. Over the course of the journey we loved getting to know the great youth in our group. Dan and I feel like we are better people for having had this experience with these particular young men and young women.

It was always a highlight to catch a glimpse of our real children along the way.

The Sweetwater River was a constant companion along the trail which also includes the original Oregon Trail and Pony Express route. The second day of trekking took us to the crossing of the Sweetwater River. Most of the youth and many of the leaders

silently waded across the cool water.

Emily venturing across the water...

One of our sweet daughters--I loved chatting with her along the trail...

A view from inside Martin's Cove

Hilary and Hannah crossing the Sweetwater River...

At the request of a young woman from our ward, Dan carried her across the water...

Hilary

Sunset at Jackson Campground

Dan catching up with our girls after a day of trekking...

We walked and walked and walked and pushed and pulled for a total of 25 miles in three days!

Hannah

Two of our daughters helping set up their tent (we had to collapse the tents in the morning and raise them in the evening so they wouldn't blow away during the day).

Our boys in front of the handcart pulling and three of our girls pushing the handcart

up a steep, sandy hill.

Dan was so awesome throughout the trek--truly no different than everyday. He carried an injured girl out of Martin's Cove on his back, carried one across the Sweetwater, gave up his coat several times in the whipping wind, opened countless 5 gallon buckets, closed countless 5 gallon buckets and so much more. I would not have made it a mile without him!

Natalie and Marc signing our family flag before we began the journey.

Our 8 children for the trek pictured above. We really felt like their parents during the trek. We got to know each one of them and loved them instantly! The last two miles of the trek were spent in a downpour of rain and bursts of thunder. We were all completely soaked and muddy! The talk among our group through the rainstorm was one of wonder at the pioneers who walked this same trail but in knee deep snow, bitter cold temperatures, scanty clothes and near starvation. There is no doubt that during our trek we walked on sacred ground.

At the end of our trek, I have never wanted a hot shower more in my life or my own warm bed more. Yet we were all uplifted and forever changed by this journey. To quote a nameless daughter, "Mom, I never knew I could learn so much by pulling a handcart."