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.