Top of the World on Trail 29

This week we trekked on trail 29.  It is the highest and farthest trail from missionary village so at the end of the day we drove 30-45 minutes to get to our trailer, a shower, and a warm bed.  The weather was perfect for trekking....70's in the day and high 30- low 40's at night.  Elder and Sister Clark from Midway Utah were the lead couple.  We trekked with 64 from the Pleasant View 12th Ward.  They live north of Ogden and were an amazing group.  We had 5 handcarts so it was very easy to get to know the youth and the leaders.  They brought 12-18 years old kids.  At first I was a bit concerned about 12 year old's but they did very well.

Elder and Sister Clark our lead couple June 28-July 1 with the Pleasant View 12 ward. They are from Midway, UT 

One of the steepest parts of trail 29 passing by two old graves.  Pleasant View 12 ward.  They go down one cart at a time to minimize run away carts.  We have never had one yet!

Trail 29 is on the east side of the ranch and away from the other trails.  It has a lot of very steep up hills and down hills which really challenge the youth and show them very quickly how they can do very hard things.  It also humbles us missionaries and lets us know we are not teenagers.  With the Lords help we can do it.  We have this trail one more time the end of July so we shall see how it goes then.  You know you have trekked when you finish this trail!

Cassandra, one of the young ladies doing Sis Barton's hair

Finished braid.  I wish I could do this.  She was braiding all the girls hair and it was amazing!

They had the best cooks and an amazing trailer that their former bishop had built for their ward.  It was lovingly named "Grillzilla"  It had a huge grill and places for 4 huge dutch ovens and a 40 gallon propane tank and a wash station.  He had sown canvas awnings for shade and believe me shade is very much needed here.  The one to three foot sage brush give very little shade.

The amazing cook trailer "Grillzilla"

Grillzilla

The biggest spatula I have ever seen made special for Jay's 16 inch pancakes  Just right of my head.  It took both of us to hold it!

I had never seen a sego lily till this year and they are everywhere on the ranch.  Lots of beautiful wild flowers that are quickly disappearing as the heat increases and this place dries out.  It is unbelievable what two weeks without rain and increased heat can do.  Many of our muddy crossings are now dry which makes trekking much easier on the feet.

Two baby prairie dogs peeking out of their home

The Seagulls always come in to sweep the camp after meals.  They usually don't find much but they come with high hopes.

Bob did the pony express again for this trek and did a great job.  The kids and adults really get a kick out of BOB and his sidekick horse "Splinter"  His mother is "Piney" and his father is "Twobafore" They are all fine "Thoroughboards"

Bob and "Splinter" with kids anxiously awaiting letters from home.