The Pioneer Trek

I can't let the time go by without documenting a big part of our summer this year----The Pioneer Trek. Almost a year ago, Ryan and I were asked to be a "Pa & Ma" for the upcoming Youth Pioneer Trek that our church was putting on for the 500 youth in our area. We would be "parents" to about 10 youth, ages 12-18 on a 4 day trek, commemorating the history of our Mormon pioneer forbears coming west with handcarts.

We said yes.

Five months later, I found out that I was expecting. If I went on the Pioneer Trek, I would be almost 30 weeks pregnant that week. I REALLY still wanted to go, if it was OK with those planning the trek, and if all was well with my pregnancy.

Well, we prepared all summer----I walked 4 miles, 3-4 times a week all summer so that I would be able to keep up with everyone. I sewed and sewed and sewed pioneer clothing, rounded up games and marbles and activities, read real journal accounts of my own ancestors and others who came west on the pioneer trail, prepared family devotionals, and everything else that was required in the preparation.

Finally---we headed off. Grandma and Grandpa Lee came up to spend the 4 days with the kids, and Ryan and I left on that August, Wednesday morning.

We were assigned 9 "children" to our family. We didn't know any of them, they didn't know us or each other. We would spend the next 3 days together, hauling 500 pounds of gear for 20 miles. We camped in tents under the stars, ate our meals together, laughed and told stories. There were no electronics allowed---no cell phones, no ipods, no tv, to internet, no cameras even, a really nice break! (There were photographers with us on the trail to take pictures!)

We got blisters, and calluses, got to know each other, played games and danced. It was amazing to see our family of 11 start out on the first day working hard alongside each other. By day two they were working together as a team, starting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. By day three, they were acting like a family, having fun working together--teasing and nicknaming each other. By day four, when it was time to pack up and go home, they had a hard time saying good bye to each other.

I was so blessed the entire time. The temperature highs for the three trekking days were 95, 100, 96. Miraculously, I felt better each day. I guess my body was "hardening" to the trail :)

Or we could just call it a miracle!

The theme for the trek was ---"The Rescue Through Christ." We travel the trail of life, and it is hard. The only way we can make it is with Jesus Christ. He will help us through the pain, the sorrow, the injuries, and the hardships of life. It was so great to discuss with these great young men and young women about how to face hard things in their life with faith and endurance. It was great to teach them about being a strong family, and how they could go home and strengthen their own families. It really was a great experience. Ryan and I enjoyed it far more than we could have expected.

And although the medics along the trail were always watching me, I made it just fine! No real life enactments of what it was like to give birth on the trail west! I guess this will just be a strong baby.

Here are some fun statistics that Verdene Jenks (one of the trek directors) put together----

TREK STATISTICS

1. Participants from 2 stakes– 14 participating wards -

2. Approximately 20 milestrekked

3. 380 youth trekkers, 160 adult support staff

4. 2 youth buglers

5. 43 families pushing or pulling43 handcarts loaded with over500 pounds each. Each participants’ bucket could weigh no more than 17 lbs.

6. 9 devoted captains

7. Some of the Food consumed - 230 pounds of pork jerky (a favorite); 7,280 slices of bread; jars and jars of peanut butter and jam, 312 pounds of mashed potatoes, 1,920 hard boiled eggs; 50 pounds of brown sugar; 1,516 cups of oatmeal, and much more!

8. Medical supplies used: 950 feet of duct tape, 300 gallons Gatoraid, 2 IV’s, gold bond powder, many band aids and moleskin strips, water cooling lines,

9. Other supplies used: 450 zip ties, 12,000 bb’s, 500 Trail of Faith awards, 385 ice blocks (more than 3,800 lbs. of ice) which was a lifesaver, 96 flag poles, 9 large company flags, 43 company/family flags, 43 family flags,

10. Pictures & videos – 10,594 photos taken/32.55 GB of live footage.

11. One pony-express rider delivering parent letters

12. 5 reenactments

13. Favorite youth activity:dancing Virginia Reel and Oh Johnny

There are so many pictures I would love to share----but I'll try to limit it to my favorites, for a little taste of the trek.

Our first family picture, upon arrival

Heading out on the trail

Making creative shade was a must in the 95 degree desert

Imagine 200 tents out in the middle of the desert night

Dancing was a favorite. We had to learn the dances earlier in the year, prior to the trek.

Towing the carts up a very steep hill

Music and program each night

Spending time as a family

And our final family picture on the last day of the trek