30 April 2018 - Monday

30 April 2018 - Monday

Well, this was a very interesting Monday for sure!  Mom and I went for a morning walk on the roadway that leads to missionary village.  It is about 1.5 miles to the main road so we walk the 3 miles each morning, except Sunday.  As we were walking this morning at 5:45am we took in some beautiful sights and crisp fresh air.  Here are some morning pictures;

Sunrise coming as we look back on the Martin's Cove area

Then as we were walking back, mom's weak ankle gave her some trouble.  After stumbling once, a few minutes later she fell to the gravel and I could not catch her in time.  I felt so bad as I helped her up and made sure she was not injured.  The ankle hurt, but there was no broken skin, of which I am so grateful.  She went to work and during the course of the day her ankle really hurt.  This is what we found this evening... and she received a Priesthood Blessing.

Is this the look of comfort?  

Mom felt better once she took her hiking boots off, but the swelling was quite apparent.  After soaking in some hot water and Epson's salts, she sat in a chair with her ankle elevated.  Here is how hard she worked this morning;

Sanding some medallions for the summer visitors

Putting up a tent replica that the handcart pioneers would have used

The inside of the tent - sleeps up to 20 handcart people - notice no floor?

A full Rover on the work crew!  The Teuschers and the Lashers

Our work party had several projects today.  We put up this pioneer tent, and worked on the wagon covers that a pioneer wagon would have used.  Today the wind and the rain nearly froze us at temperatures of around 40 degrees and wind speeds around 25 mph.  Imagine the handcart pioneers putting up tents in -11 degree temperatures and winds 30 to 40 mph?  And less that one pound of flour that would make about 4 pancakes for the entire day.  Amazing and sobering for sure...

We got a little treat, right after lunch, as we took a few minutes with our work crew and drove a little way up Rattlesnake Pass.  This is the exact trail that Brigham Young took to Salt Lake City in 1847 and the very same trail that the handcart pioneers took in 1856.  Look at these pictures;

Trail scars from the pioneers in the 1850's

Trail scars going south and west toward Split Rock

A really good picture of the trail scars.  We felt their presence here.

Names carved into the Devil's Gate rocks

More rock markings

An actual grave identified by the Oregon-California Trails Association

Look at the grave surrounded by posts positively identified by the Oregon-California Trails Association.  That rock in the back is the original grave marker from 1860.  We were told that there are several graves along this trail as you can imagine.   Unfortunately, they will not be identified until the Millennium.  We owe so much to these precious pioneers for their faith and commitment to obtain Zion.  And their example shines as a beacon for us to follow!

Fort Seminoe replica

A museum replication of the 20 faithful men who stayed at Fort Seminoe

Fort Seminoe began as a traders post in 1852.  It was a successful operation where furs were traded for various supplies and foodstuffs.  It was never a military fort but a trading post that had success on the wild frontier.  The United States government ordered the trading post closed in 1856 because of the threat of Indian warfare in the area.  

When the Martin Handcart Company arrived in this area, the temperatures were below zero and the Wyoming winds were unrelenting.  This abandoned trading post had room for maybe 75 of the starving, weary and nearly frozen pioneers.  Unfortunately there were nearly 1,000 who needed shelter.  That shelter ended up being what we call today, Martin's Cove, about 3 miles west and across the frigid Sweetwater River.  

The original foundation was discovered around 2001, and the Church has plans to excavate the area.  This replica of that fort gives some vital history and a working model of where the Hunt and Hodgetts  wagon companies unloaded their wagons so that more of the weary and sick handcart pioneers could ride.  We will visit this area when you come!

The Sweetwater baptismal font

Finally, here is a picture of the baptismal font in the flow of the Sweetwater.  For many years the local ward families baptized their family members here.  It became such a burden on the local leadership that the Church discontinued authorizing these services here.  However, missionaries are allowed to have family members perform baptisms while the missionaries are here.  I am sure this would be an exceptionally "cool" experience!  That water today is about 38 to 40 degrees.  Certainly better than cutting a hole in the Mississippi River during the winter months in the 1840's!