Home to the Desert

Saturday August 20, was Trek Training for the leaders of the groups bringing youth next year.  There were about 240 of them.  I did the music training and talked about how important music is to bring the spirit and music and dance to lift the spirit and energize tired aching bodies.  It is true!  Bob taught about activities and the pony express and pot gut express.  "Chip and Dale" our funny pot gut express cars died and were put out to pasture so next year we will use the 4X4.  It will still be fun and good.  We drove out to the Dairy Barn to see how the siding work was coming along.  The Evanston Stake, our agent Stake, are putting up aluminum siding.  It looks great.  They have been so good to the mission.

Bob outside the Dairy Barn where he had helped load it with handcarts and port a jons for the winter

Handcarts stacked two stories high in the Dairy Barn!

Evanston Stake men putting the siding on the Dairy Barn

Sunday we sang for our last time at the Singles Ward in Evanston.  It was sad to know that we will not be singing together with this group of missionaries, but we will sing again next year.  New group and new song. 
Monday the 22 we finished packing, cleaning, and winterizing the trailer.  It will be stored in Evanston until next April when we return to finish our mission.  We left the ranch at about noon.  It was a funny feeling, like we were leaving peace and going back into the world.
We drove to Vernal to the temple, only to find it closed for its two week closure.  We seem to hit that with "monotonous regularity"

Debra outside the Vernal Temple  It was very windy

We then headed to the Tabiona Junction to look at some property we have there that we have not seen in 20 years.  We did not have a lot description so we could only guess where it was.  Next year we will be more prepared so we will know where it actually is.  We drove onto Price, Utah to spend the night.  It certainly has grown since the last time we were there.  Bob spent his junior high years in Price and he could hardly believe what has become of the place.  It is big. We got a call from our daughter, Valerie.  She was in the valley for an appointment and we decided to go straight home so we could see her before she headed back to Snowflake.  We left early Tuesday morning and drove through Monticello and got a picture of that temple.  Next year we hope to attend a session there.

Debra at the Monticello Temple

On to Moab, and the four corners area.  I have had that on my bucket list since the fourth grade when my favorite teacher, Mrs. Olsen, gave me a love for dinosaurs and San Juan County where she was from. Teachers really can have a lifelong influence on us.  Thank You great teachers.

Bob in Utah and Arizona, Debra in Colorado and New Mexico.  The Navajo Nation charges $5 per person and limits you to 3 photos?

We hit some big rain storms all the way home until we hit Heber AZ.  We got home to family and a fun welcome home sign that Heidi , Valerie, and their kids had made for us.

Emily and Betsy with Grandma and Grandpa

Jacob and Heather came on Wednesday to surprise Heidi for the 40th birthday on August 25.  It is so good to be home but we will miss Deseret Land and Livestock for about 8 month and then we will return for another great summer helping with the handcart treks.  Till then Happy Trails to You!

Wrapping Up on the Ranch

We are getting ready to leave this little piece of Heaven.  I would not have believed I would say that 4 months ago, but we have come to love this isolated place.  It seems like a bubble of safety just envelopes us as we pass through the gate.  It is very dry, with hot days and cold nights, but we love it.
On Aug 8th we held a trek reunion for missionaries who have served here over the last 15 years.  It was great to see the surprise on their faces and hear about all the changes that have taken place.  Kristi Huff Evans was the first employ of the ranch and really started trekking here at Deseret Land and Livestock.

With Kristi Huff Evans

The next morning Julie Rogers came with lots of her art and talked about the stories that she has painted.  Most of her work is about pioneers, but Bob found his favorite picture of the Prophet Joseph Smith that those who come to our home will be able to see.

Julie Rogers Artist

On Wednesday the 10th it was a very full day as we all traveled to Brigham City and had a private tour of the Tabernacle there.  We went to the crawl space below where a canal ran to power the pump organ in the tabernacle. We also climbed to the top tower.  It was so fun to see many places that few people see. It is right across the street from the Temple that was closed for its semi annual upkeep.  As is the case with all temples, it was beautiful.

The Brigham City Temple

The Brigham City Tabernacle

We then all went and had lunch at a very famous Brigham City, UT restaurant, Maddox. Those of you who know Utah, will know about Maddox.  We then attended the Ogden Temple with all the missionaries.  We do have 20 new friends in the missionaries we have served with this summer.  That night we went with Elder and Sister Call to a post trek fireside for the Murry South Stake.  We were with them June 22-25.  They gave us an amazing DVD that you are all welcome to come and see.

On Thursday we went with Ryan Richin's, a Seminary teacher from Evanston,  on a tour of Echo Canyon to climb some very steep cliffs to see the battlements that the Mormons built to defend themselves in the Utah War from Johnston's army.  There was no real war, but 1/3 of the total US military was sent to check up on the Mormons and what they were doing. They found only a peaceful people, and that was the end of it.  Brigham Young and the members were afraid that they were going to be driven from there homes again and they were ready to fight.  Thankfully there was no need for that, but they were prepared.

Remnants of one of the Battlements

We also visited Hanging Rock, Mormon Flats, Heartbreak Hill, where they got a good view of the Wasatch Range and saw the huge mountains they had yet to cross.  Then we went to the top of Big Mountain where they got the first view of the Salt Lake Valley.  We were in cars and walked some of it.  I now have an even greater admiration for what our pioneer ancestors went through just to find a place where they could worship as they liked.

From the top of 'Big Mountain' looking down to Immigration Canyon

Friday we prepared for the family trek, moving port a jons into place, and moving handcarts.  The dairy barn is full of carts and port a jons to be stored for the winter.  We had no family coming but decided on Saturday morning to pull a cart with my Brother Steven and his wife and Elder and Sister Call as they also had no family coming.  It was much harder than I imagined and I was grateful we missionaries only walk with the trekkers.

Pulling Handcart on Family Day

Sunday we drove to Randolph and sang in their beautiful old church.  After Geo Peart invited us to the yummiest barbecue that I have ever eaten.  The people in this area have treated us so well.  We will miss them.  They then showed us around their old restored home that is full of antiques and is like walking through a museum.

Our missionaries after singing in Randolph

The beautiful old church in Randolph

Monday morning Elder Durham, the 70 that is over our mission, came and we had our interview with him and his wife.  They are so kind and nice.  We were asked to return next year and we said YES!  That night we were invited to President Lester's Ranch.  He is the Stake President in Evanston and his Stake is the agent Stake for D L&L.  We had another great barbecue and a great fireside in their amazing gazebo.  They have a very interesting pass time. They have a canon that they launch bowling balls thousands of feet into the air.  They go so high you lose site of them.  They drilled hoes in a couple of them and they whistled going up and coming down.

Elder and Sister Durham sitting on the right side

Lighting the bowling ball cannon

 38 seconds of fun.  Listen closely and you can hear the bowling ball whistling on the way up.  I shut off the video before you could hear the whistling on the way down.  They told me it went up over 3 miles.

Tuesday we spent the day packing up things we are taking home.  Wednesday, we began preparing for Trek Training on Saturday.  I will be training the Music portion and Bob will be training Activities on Trek.  We also scraped peeling paint from the depot and repaired, primed, and painted the depot.

Painting the Depot porch

 Today, Thursday we set up chairs and washed windows and light fixture in the Trek Center.  There is never a dull moment around here.  We then ran through what we would be teaching the 150 leaders of next years treks that are coming for training on Saturday.  It is sad to be wrapping up here, but I am ready for a well deserved rest!  Will that come at home?  I doubt it.

The last but the best

This week marked the end of our trekking season.  We still have a couple of weeks to clean, winterize and store all of the equipment for next season.  I can truthfully say that this has been the most physical months of our lives.  We have more soreness, pulls, strains and muscles than we would have ever imagined.  Bob has even lost 2 notches in his belt size (probably will put that back on in a week or two).  Well, on Monday we took a truck tour of the western side of the ranch and went to the "Lodge" where all of the high rollers pay to stay and hunt trophy elk and deer.  It was a dusty ride but very beautiful.  Our tour guide was Scott McFarlin the ranch wildlife manager.  We saw a big cow moose with her baby and a buck elk that would look good on anybodies mantle.  It was a fun time and very scenic.

A scenic view on the west side of the ranch.

Inside the outfitters lodge

 Tuesday we did the usual porta jon cleaning and preparation for our trek on Wednesday.  Bob helped clean out the dirtiest barn that you could ever imagine.  I have never seen so much rat, mouse, or other varmint poop in my life.  I'm glad that we had face masks on.  We are using a new area to store our handcarts in, thus the barn cleanup.  We had to disinfect the shower and bathroom after that episode.  Wednesday we welcomed our last trek of the season the American Fork Hillcrest 2nd Ward.  They had 77 trekkers and we were accompanied by Elder and Sister Hutchings and we were on trail #28.  Trail 28 is a very nice 25 mile trail that is mostly through meadows and is very scenic.  This ward was very organized and used pioneer stories, games and music extremely well.

Parachute cord some 5 gallon buckets and some good timing in a circle equal  tug a war in the air and the possibility for fun and injury.

 We were very impressed and both felt like we had been spiritually feed.  Our first day was about 6 miles and ended with a hoe down that Debra, the new queen of hoe down callers, called.  She taught and called the 'heel toe polka', 'Oh Johnie oh Johnie oh' and the 'Virginia Reel'.  Put the sound system on the tailgate of a truck and Debra in the bed of it and good stuff happens!!  The group loved it and so did I.  Thursday was a little over 6 miles and included the women's pull in the middle of it. With 5 girls per cart it gave them all they needed to strain and stretch there bodies and minds.  We were sitting eating diner with the adults when the couple in charge of the trek came up to us and asked if we would be willing to do another hoe down.  Ha, two nights in a row.  The queen, Debra, got all excited and almost yelled YES.  Friday was about 7 miles of trekking through a bunch of cows and fresh cow pies (yummy).  It also included four big ups and downs in the trail that is challenging but lots of fun.  Bob got to do the pony express mail delivery and had a lot of fun with the youth.

Bob on his trusty steed 'Sliver'.  Sliver's mom is twobafour and his dad is pullbar, a couple of real thorough boards.

 This was testimony meeting night, but, they had about two hours after diner before the testimony meeting, so they asked the kids what they wanted to do.  You guessed it, Hoe down!!  Third night in a row, never had two in a row much less three.  Like I said the queen of callers has arrived.  Testimony meeting was a high light, six boys got up twice they were so moved.

The group gathered together for some final words from the trail boss

 Saturday is the day out and back to home.  We had about 4 and a half miles out.  As dirty and tired as the youth were they didn't want to leave and frankly we didn't want them gone either.  I'm telling you this was one sweet week to end treks with, what a blessing to end on a very high note for us.

The Ulloa family.  We loved them.

A Week on the Roads

This past week we did not have a trek so we decided to check a few sites off of our "bucket lists".  We have always wanted to go to Mount Rushmore and after being on so many "pioneer" treks and serving in Nauvoo, Martins Cove has a great draw for us.  My Sister Sherry and her husband Richard Jensen are serving a mission at Martins Cove and so it was fun to see them and have a personalized tour and explanation of what happened there.  Martins Cove is all about the Martin handcart company.  Those people who pushed handcarts across the plains in 1856 with such a determination to join the saints in the Salt Lake Valley, sacrificed much for their religion.  We could feel it as we walked in these hallowed grounds, and we will ever be grateful to them.  Both Bob and I have pioneer ancestors so it makes these places all the more special.
Devils Gate is another landmark used by all the people who crossed the plains looking for a better life in the West.  It was beautiful, even though it has been an exceptionally dry year in Wyoming.

At Devils Gate

 We also went to Independence Rock where many of the pioneers had carved their names into the rock.  Also more modern carvings are found even though they are not suppose to deface the rock.  It was quite a steep climb, but we had to do it!  While we were up there a lightening storm was moving in so we descended much quicker than we went up as it is the highest point around and we did not want to serve as "lightning rods".

At Independence Rock Wyoming

Bob climbing Independence Rock

We made it to the top.  Here comes the storm!

Wednesday we got up early and walked into Martins Cove.  To see it you have to walk and it is about a 4 mile walk.  We had a very special feeling.

They have antelope at Martins Cove and a beautiful sunset

Martins Cove

Elder and Sister Jensen, Debra's Sister and Brother in law

  We then drove to Mount Rushmore and got there about 3:30 PM.  We were able to see and do everything there including the night lighting of the monuments and the patriotic program they do nightly.  It truly makes me proud to be and American and appreciate the sacrifices of so many so we could have freedom.  I only pray we can continue to fight and hold onto those freedoms that so many have given their lives for.  Mount Rushmore is in the Black Hills and they are beautiful.  Huge pine trees and lush vegetation.  Very windy roads that actually cross over themselves on wooden trestles.  There are several tunnels that as you go through they frame Mount Rushmore.

At Mount Rushmore July 27, 2016  Notice the Arizona flag up front.  They are in alphabetical order

 Thursday we got up and drove to The Badlands.  That is really an unearthly looking place.  We have never seen anything like it!  We hiked up to the steepest and highest peak I have ever climbed.  It almost made me dizzy as I looked over the side and held on for dear life.

Bob on the climb.  That highest peak to the left is the goal

Debra on a very steep climb

Bob at the top, Debra made it too but someone had to take the picture

Unbelievable formations.  No green in sight

 We then drove north to Wall, South Dakota.  We ate at Wall Drug, a famous drug store from the 30's.  I had never heard of it before we started planning this road trip.  It is a big tourist stop.  Sturgis, another thing I had never heard of, was beginning next week, but there were hundreds of motor cyclist on there way to it as we traveled.  We talked to many of them.  Some were pretty scary looking and some looked just like us, except for their "leathers", but they were all very nice.
Friday we went to Crazy Horse Mountain.  It isn't far from Mount Rushmore and is a Carving of Crazy Horse on a huge mountain.  His face is done and they are now working on his hand.  It is a monument to honor all Native Americans and is being done with private funds with no government involvement.  It was amazing.

Model of Crazy Horse Mountain

notice the cranes on top

We stayed in Casper Wyoming Friday night and then drove to Sixth Crossing and the Rocky Ridge Visitors Center.  This is a new visitors center for the Church and is all about the Willie Handcart Company and the rescuers.  We walked up Rocky Ridge in a crazy wind storm and we could only be grateful that it was not also a blizzard as the pioneers experienced when they walk up Rocky Ridge. It was much longer than we expected and we did not take enough water.  It was hot but we made it.

Debra on Rocky Ridge.  It was so windy I had to hang on to my hat!

We then went to Rock Creek Hollow which was 11 miles beyond Rocky Ridge.  I did not realize that after the hike up Rocky Ridge they had 11 miles to go to get to camp.  13 died that night and were buried at Rock Creek  Hollow.

Rock Creek  Hollow area

I love skies and Wyoming does have beautiful skies.  I love the sun rays breaking through storm clouds.

 We then got back to our "home sweet trailer" and dropped exhausted.  Sunday morning our missionary choir sang at 3 different wards and the missionaries that are not coming back next year (they have completed their 2 and sometimes 3 year mission) spoke.  It was a nice Sunday but a tiring one.  Overall, it has been a great week.