Rockin at the Ranch

This week started as all the missionaries went in to Evanston for a Memorial Day celebration at an old restored round house.  It has been beautifully restored and was very interesting and inspiring. Evanston was and still is a big railroad city. Two of our Elders marched with the Veterans as they did the flag ceremony.  We are ever grateful to those who came before us, both pioneers and veterans, who have made our lives much more pleasant and free.
After the ceremonies, we did the "river walk" along the Bear River and saw buffalo, elk, and lots of birds. It was about a 5 mile hike.  I am sure it will help us as we walk that much and more each day when treks begin this week., however, it won't be on an improved paths.

Our missionaries on the river walk

We spent 3 days shoveling gravel, dirt and rocks to fill in what we lovingly refered to as the Grand Canyons.  These are areas on the trails that have been washed out by rains and runoff.  Bob made a graceful "tuck and roll" as he fell out of the back of the truck.  He was sore that day but was back on his feet the next day for more work.

Bob on rock shoveling duty.  Debra was doing it too but was taking the picture this time

Bob had fun driving a Japanese Mitsubishi little truck we fondly call "Chip".  The mission has two of them and the other is called "Dale".  It's steering wheel is on the right side and you shift with your left hand.  It is quite an experience.

Bob driving Dale's twin Chip

Mike Meek, the Ranch Manager, came and told us more about the ranch.  It is now 300,000 acres and has 6,000 head of cattle.  It is also dedicated land to have youth and adults trek, and connect with their ancestors.  It is also like a wildlife reserve and has so many animals and birds and some endangered species.  Badgers are not one of those that are endangered and they are not our friends as their holes are everywhere.  Some of that rock was filling badger holes.  We have seen several of them.  They are very interesting and very mean.
On Friday we went with the Moon sisters to tour more pioneer sites and trails.  We started out at Fort Bridger and I was surprised how many things are there to learn about.  We spent about 3 hours there and could easily have spent all day.

Fort Bridger Wyoming

We hiked up to a rock up on a hill along the Mormon trail where Philo Dibble Jr carved his name as he was on guard duty when Johnston's army was heading to Salt Lake City. It was carved on November 24, 1857.  When we walked up that trail I could not even imagine how they got handcarts down there let alone wagons and oxen and horses?  They were definitely a hardy bunch of people.

Philo Dibble Jr Rock Nov. 24, 1857

climbing up to Dibble rock

We went to the Needles, a bunch of rock outcroppings, that were mentioned in many pioneer journals, and several markers locating the Mormon and California trails.

The Needles in Wyoming

We also visited an old culvert built by the Chinese who did much of the dirt and leveling work for the original trans continental railroad.  The trains no longer use that train bed but it was fun crawling through the culvert.  Supposedly we will now have good luck!

The old train culvert key stone arch

Our weather has been gorgeous this week and it looks like we have great weather for our first trek.