Martin's Cove

Our ward went on a Martin's Cove Trek this year at the end of July. Thanks to Darin being in the YM we were able to go together. We were the Aunt and Uncle to Garth and Jewelee Steed. It was fun getting to know them better. I learned some great parenting tips from her! She is one great Mama!

This is our 'blended' family that rode in our cars on the way up. We were playing on the playground at the rest area. We didn't know we were only 2 minutes from our camping spot!

The whole Steed clan getting ready to trek.

Brandon pulling the hand cart with his trek Mama. We trekked 4 miles the first day. It was really fun and not very hard.

We had a few river crossings this day. Our handcart was the last, so we got the privilege of carrying Margie across the river. Darin and I pushed the back and Brandon and Tosha pulled the front. It was hard, but very very neat. Gave me a whole new perspective on what these brave pioneers went through just in crossing the rivers.

After trekking through the water, most of the kids walked down the river back to camp. It was really fun and felt nice to be wet.

This picture is at Martin's Cove....our second day. There are 3 statues representing the men and the Priesthood. Very touching.

At Martin's Cove we had a special devotional and then took turns as families going up into the cove. There were 3 small vignettes representing 3 different pioneers. It was VERY touching. There was such a spirit there at the Cove. I have never felt like that before. What a reverent hallowed place. This whole day I really felt like I needed to have a big huge cry, but never could. I just weeped all day long. It was a very emotional, very spiritual day. One I won't soon forget.

This is crossing the Sweet River. My sweetheart carried me across.

It was very touching watching the boys carry these girls across. Some of them struggled, but they made it. Brandon carried Marka across. His sandal came off at the start and went downstream, but it didn't stop or even phase him. He ended up slipping in a hole at the edge and fell. It also happened to his trek brother. I was so proud of him. I'm sure some of the really strong men fell in the freezing cold water. They at least kept the women and children out of the water, preserving many lives I'm sure. It was tender watching two smaller boys cradle carry an older girl. It was so hard, they did get her feet wet, but they made it. I was also so proud of that girl for having the faith to let the boys carry her across. She was smiling ear to ear and had complete confidence in these young boys. What a tender experience.

The woman's pull was also this day. I thought it would be pretty easy. The hill didn't look that steep to climb, but there was 6 inches (at least) of sand. It was a killer to push the cart through. I was trekking for my relative- on both my Mom and Dad's side. Ane Peterson. She and her husband brought 6 children across- all of which survived. I thought of her as I pushed this cart up the hill. She had to have been very tough. I was crying and pushing with all my might. I think we could have done it ourselves, but a few of the other women who were already up came back down to help us. It was so nice to have their help. We women need to help each other out more.....without judgement and more love. What a neat experience it was to do this women's pull and feel the strength that we do have as women.

Our third day we were going to go on a 10 mile trek, but because of the previous 2 days the leaders decided to cancel the 10 miler. I was a little disappointed, but I think it worked out for the best. We ended up going back to Martin's Cove.

This is the whole Steed clan. Great family!

We hiked to Devil's gate. The kids really had a fun time hiking around. It was BEAUTIFUL and so peaceful. You can see Darin in the left corner. He had to be the bad guy and turn everyone around. The kids would have hiked through the whole thing if we let them!

Marka, Alexis, Brandon and Jacob

We ate lunch for quite a while. The food was AMAZING on this trek. I gained a couple of pounds! I really had trek food with drawls when we got home. There was always such a variety and plenty of food. They did a super job.

Brandon with some of his buddies eating lunch.

This is Independence Rock. People crossing the plains were suppose to be here by July 4th. The Martin and Willie didn't reach hear until much much later. We hiked to the top. There were thousands of pioneer names carved all over this rock. Very interesting.

This is at Rock Creek the last day. The Rescuers had gotten to them and helped them climb up Rocky Ridge, and this is where they camped. 14 died here. My ancestor I trekked for was in the Willie Company, so it was very neat for me to see where she had actually been. I wish we could have seen Rocky Ridge. In our trek family of 7 children. These 4 died here. They believe the people are buried right behind where these guys are standing.

Matt, Cache, Cheyenne and Brandon all gave up their lives here.

Darin and I walked down into the willows where they believe they camped to have more protection from the snow. There was a really strong spirit there.

What an amazing experience. I came home with more determination to do better, to be better. To teach my children more. Those precious pioneers had to suffer so much. Even the ones who made it without difficulty. It would have still been so hard to travel that far, being able to carry so little. I am truly blessed with many worldly possessions, but especially to have been raised in the gospel. To have such wonderful parents who taught me and tried so hard. If my ancestor Ane Peterson and her daughter Mette Marie wouldn't have been faithful I would not have been here because both my Mom and Dad come from Mette Marie. It just is a testimony to me that what we do with our lives, the choices I make don't just effect me and my children. Generations to come.

If any of you get the opportunity to go on a trek, do it. It is life changing. I was so glad to be able to be in Brandon's family. I wouldn't let him call me Mom, so he called me Aunt Mom....pretty funny. He is such a good boy. I was proud of him. Christopher missed it by 6 months. I felt so bad, but I hope he can have some amazing experience too.

Our ward went and saw 17 miracles a couple weeks after trek. It is one we need to watch over and over to help us remember........ Truly a Miracle.