26 April 2018 - Thursday

26 April 2018 - Thursday

This was our very first preparation day here in the mission.  Our friends here at the missionary village gather at 6:15am each morning except Sunday mornings, and take a two mile walk together.  What a great way to get to know them!  We were able to see the wide open skies of Wyoming and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over Martin's Cove.

Thursday Morning sunrise

The clouds covering the snow-capped surrounding hills

The road from the main highway to missionary village is one mile.  A small group of senior missionaries walk to the main highway and back.  It covers roughly two miles and what a beautiful morning we had!  There was a very slight breeze instead of the usual overpowering wind.  We hope to participate in this walk everyday.  The temperature was in the mid thirties so I will wear another layer tomorrow!

Our first correlation meeting was at 8:30am this morning at Martin's Cove.  It is exactly 8.2 miles from the missionary village.  When you come to visit, our site is called "Village 66", and "Missionary Village", and is very well marked.  It is about 3 miles from Muddy Gap.  Here are some morning pictures we took as we entered Martin's Cove Visitor Center;

View towards Martin's Cove

Entering in the historic site this morning for correlation

A striking picture of Devils Gate.

On the GPS map in the car, Martin's Cove Historic Site popped up.  We are amazed at how beautiful this area is!  Just driving in to the visitors center one can't help but feel how special this place is.  After the correlation meeting, we were taken on a tour of the area prior to when the first group of the season was scheduled to come in;

The wood shop - part of the old Sun Ranch

The corral still used in the active cattle ranching here

The Sweetwater River flowing through the visitor center area

I had to take some preliminary pictures of the first impressions of our walk around the visitor center area.  The Sun Ranch Family worked very closely with the Church in the 1990's with some very faithful church leaders here in Wyoming, in concert with Salt Lake City, to acquire this property.  

Many of the historic buildings from the Sun Family Ranch in the 1870's are restored here, and are a huge part of the history of this sacred area.  The Sweetwater River became a friend, and an enemy, to the 1856 pioneers in the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies.  The fresh water quenched many thirsty travelers,  but the ice floes that came with the winter storms became a bitter enemy.

An eagles nest in Missionary Village!

The community of Missionary Village

A view from Missionary Village towards Martin's Cove

The new missionary couple from Rigby, Idaho!

When we arrived yesterday we did not notice this sign made just for us.  The senior couples do everything they can to make everyone feel so welcomed.  This is close to being a perfect Zion Society!  We even saw an Eagles Nest in the tallest tree.  One of the senior missionaries thought that the nest was taken over by a hawk, but we have yet to see any activity.

As mom and I walked around our little community, after a safe and fun trip to Casper, we could not help but witness the absolute quiet.  It is very hard to explain how quiet it is here, and how peaceful it is.  There is an inspiring calmness and peacefulness that embraces this area of the country.  We can't wait to share these experiences with each of you personally!!