Martin's Cove

We had the opportunity to take the trip to Martin's Cove with our ward, Shelley 1st.  We had a great couple, Randy and Christine Lundquist, as the organizers and planners of the big trek.  Our ward had great participation, with 81 people, young and old, attend the trek.  we were organized in to "families" of about 8 to 12 people in each.  Our "family" included us and the Players.  A couple weeks before, we were still debating over taking Addison and Eden along, and after talking to lots of people, we decided to leave them with Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin.  Players have a little girl, Maddi, who is Eden's age, and they decided to leave her too.  

The tough boys-Landon, McKoy, Carter, and Ryker-they pulled the handcart a LOT of the time, and smiled the whole time!



Here's some of our group, faithfully following the trail.  (and hoping it ends soon...haha)

Taking advantage of the chance to wade and play in the water.  It felt so good on such a hot day, and the kids had a blast diving in and swimming around.  Our bishop had to take part also-he'd do the dead man float, trying to make us all nervous, but everyone knew better!

A few of the kids standing by the fence at our campsite while another group was walking by.  Somehow it turned into a mini parade as some of them started throwing candy and snacks to them!

All the carts lined up, getting loaded and ready to head out.

We finally arrived to our campsite!



That first day, the wind was BAD!  Everyone in our ward started scrambling and scurrying around, trying to get their tents up.  But not my smart husband.  He had us stake the tent down where we wanted it, place everything inside through the side door, and then put a few heavy things on top.  Then we sat there at our camp, silently laughing as we watched tents blow away, break, and rip, husbands and wives fighting, kids crying...the wind left completely around dinner time and we set our tent up in about two minutes.  Everyone commented what a good idea that was and how they wish they would have done the same thing.  I knew I married a smart guy! 



Love this picture of Damien and our sweet McKoy.  He started getting a little whiny and a lot tired and Damien took his hand and they made it together.  This was on our walk into the actual cove, on Day 2 of the trek.

We saw lots and lots of antelope on the trek.  The boys loved spotting them out!  Carter said he was going home to call Uncle Spence to tell him Wyoming has three things: Antelope, Wind, and Sagebrush.  He told us that MANY times during the trek and it cracked him up every time. :)

This was one of the most moving things I've ever participated in-the Women's Pull.  This picture shows all the men and boys standing on top of the hill we were coming up.  The missionary couple did such a great job in explaining the significance of this pull.  The sister explained to us that as women in the church, we need to support our men, sometimes we pull them along, but that as much as we need the priesthood in our lives, they need us to support and help them along the way.  Damien told me while they were standing there, the elder told them to look at the women in their family.  Those women have so much on their shoulders, and they carry such a heavy weight and burden through this life, the men must help them, trying to lessen their load in anyway they can.   Damien said it was the most spiritual moment on the trek for him.  I felt the same way.  It was such a hard thing to get those handcarts up that steep hill, but we did it and went back down to help others still trying to make it.   

Hallelujah-we made it!  Notice how mom's and dad's smiles aren't quite as big as the boys...haha.  So glad we did it and will never forget the experience!

Our handcart, loaded and ready!

The good helpers-they really did pull their weight on this trip!



One of the amazing and touching statues they have near the Sweetwater River crossing.  We didn't pull a cart through (the water was too high) but we did get to walk across.  It was hard to imagine the cold and ice cutting at your legs, the starvation you felt, the hopelessness some might have felt during this time.  Experiences like crossing the river and doing the women's pull made you realize how blessed we are and how strong these pioneers had to have been.  They had to have been strengthened by Heavenly Father and helped by angels sent to protect and assist them. 

Our ward also got to do a night of square dancing-so fun and entertaining-but I didn't get any pictures.  We had a ward testimony meeting-so spiritual and really bonded those who went in the ward.  Damien announced our news of the new baby during his testimony, much to my surprise!  Haha!  We are so thankful we did this trek and hope that our boys will remember those sweet feelings of the Spirit they felt many times during our trip.