Trek 2013

This week was humbling to both Ron and I in several ways. . .  We were given the opportunity to participate as "Ma & Pa" in our stake's pioneer trek this time.  We have never been given this opportunity before and really looked forward to it.  Then came the challenges- We both got really sick this winter and did not have the opportunity to prepare physically as much as we wanted - Ron just cleared his pneumonia about 2 weeks ago after a couple of months and two rounds of antibiotics.  Getting the girls to EFY in California and back after school let out and doing all the sewing put me in a bit of a time crunch- I was literally sewing buttons on clothing in the car on the way down to Trek.

The family we came in the car with started out nice and clean!

This is the family we were assigned.  We had 11 really awesome children ranging in age from 12-18.  The kids decided we should go by the family name of "Baggins".  The name Potter was suggested at first but there were some who were vehemently opposed to that moniker.

After a steamy bus ride to the middle of nowhere that no one will soon forget, we hit the HOT and dusty trail.

After about 7 miles on the trail we camped in the "gravel pit" on the first night.  There was a nice river near here where most of us cooled our aching, and in many cases, already blistered feet.

The second day in addition to the hot and dusty, we had several other "interesting" terrain challenges and a couple of creek crossings to make.  It was quite warm again and we covered about 9 miles on this day.  We ended at the VanHorne Farm where there was plenty of shade and "breath-taking" showers.  These showers were AWESOME, if a bit chilly!

 The 3rd day was a "rest" day.  There was plenty going on though- games, competitions, family relay races, the pony express delivering mail from home, testimony meeting, a hoedown, and a sing along. Kaili was kept pretty busy bandaging blisters and attending to minor wounds and ills, so unfortunately, I didn't really catch her on film. Ron and I were both hurtin' units at this point, so we didn't really participate in the more strenuous activities.

The final day Ron and I had some stand-ins make the final 7 miles with our family while we stayed behind and helped to clean up and dismantle the camp facilities.  We met up with everyone once again at the steam train for the last leg of the journey in to Port Alberni where the train blocked the road and let us off just up from the chapel.

There was great food provided in massive quantities throughout and I'm sure the pioneers never ate the way we did.  Ron and I were both disappointed in our personal physical readiness, and it is humbling to realize I just can't do the same things at 51 that I did at 40, but the whole experience was one I would love to have another crack at. We really hope we are asked to do it again. . . once the blisters on our feet heal and we catch a few more winks!!!  Even the young, resilient ones were "plumb tuckered out" on the way home.