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.