Jared, Myself, and McKinlee had the opportunity to go to Martin's Cove with our ward a few weeks ago. Logan was lucky enough to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Mayes and Aunt JuJu.
Martin's Cove was awsome. I am not a camper, a dirt eater, a hiker, or a mosquito lover, however, this was a great experience that I am so happy I was able to enjoy with my husband and McKinlee. I am glad we decided to leave Logan with my parents and JuJu, although we missed him TONS, he would have been miserable!
On Thursday we left with the ward at about 6:30 am and arrived at Martin's Cove around 1:00 or so. Little was I aware, we had about a 4.5 mile hike ahead of us that first day! Keep in mind it was 85 degrees and blazing sun! We packed up the handcart, hiked about a mile or so, dropped the kids off for some fun activities, then us adults went and hiked another 2.5 miles (so I have heard) to the actual Martin's Cove. The ward had great programs with songs and stories about the actual people who walked with their handcarts to Zion. We went down and got the kids and walked the mile or so back to our cars. So as a little side note, for those mothers who spend hours on their daughter's hair, putting it in meticulous rows, perfectly parted, keep in mind, spray sun block eats the rubber bands!! I was so upset to come back from the little hike with just the adults, to find McKinlee and her hair in shambles! It was so cute and I had planned on having it be done for the entire trip. All the rubber bands were eaten and she was covered in dirt....not the best thing that I saw all day. Oh well, lesson learned!
Another 60 mile drive was ahead of us until we reached where we were to set up camp for the next 2 days.
The ward fixed us great food (and that is a lot for me to say because i am PICKY) We set up camp, sat around the fire, fought the millions of mosquitos (and I am not exagerating...there were MILLIONS) and went to bed! The next morning we were greeted with cloudy skies!! Yahoo!!! I had no desire to walk the 4 miles with the handcart in the sun again! We were able to walk it with a slight drizzle/rain and cloudy skies the whole time...it was GREAT! McKinlee was amazing...she just sat in the handcart, ate, took a nap, sang songs and was just wonderful!
There were so many awesome things that we were able to experience that day that I can't name them all. However, I will mention 2. 1st the Women's Pull. They had us recreate the time when the men were called off to war and the women were left alone with the children to pull the handcart. As the men left there really was a part of me that could feel just a bit of what those women had to have felt when they saw there husbands leave...never knowing if they would see them again. Then there we were, with our handcarts full of supplies and kids and a hill, very rocky and steep that we had to climb ourselves. To make matters worse, they actually had the men line up on either side of the path and told them to not talk or help... i kept my head down and refused to look at the men (it would have only made things worse!) I thought my legs were going to fall of, but we made it!!!
2nd...The River Crossing. They recreated when the saints had to cross the freezing Sweetwater River. We can't even comprehend how cold and how miserable that was for them... Jared was blessed to have been chosen to be one of the 3 rescuers that came and carried men, women, and children across the river. He did a great job! Most times on these treks they actually have you cross the river with the handcart, however, because the water levels were so high (probably up to at least your waist, possibly chest) there was no way to take the handcarts across...they would have floated away like a boat! So I just sat on the sidelines and took pictures. McKinlee, by this time, was asleep in the handcart, and there wasn't any way I was going to wake her up, so she slept through it.
Ok..back on to what we did. We made it back to camp, sun came out and the kids played and played. We cheered on the rest of the ward as they came back from their 10mile hike, ate a delicious dinner, went to bed to just wake up the next morning and break camp. That last day was awesome. We drove, once again, to Rock Creek Hollow where there was a common grave for 13 of the saints who passed away one night after hiking in the bitter bitter cold. I cannot even begin to explain the spirit that was there. The ward put on an amazing program that went through each one of the 13 and how they died. Incredible. That's all I can say! (If you have about 2 days I can sit and tell you more details, but not here)
The last thing I have to say about Trek is, the Martin and Willie handcart companies were a miracle. A modern day miracle. Sure, couple hundred died, but the miracle is is that 900 or so lived to see Zion. It is amazing that anyone survived. I am blessed to have been able to participate in this. I was not looking forward to it, but am glad that Jared had the forsight to make us go.
Ok, so here is what everyone cares about...pictures!
This is mid cross...the boy on his back is Trey Thompson. What a good sport!
This is MJ asleep in the handcart..wet blankets and all, but she didn't care!
McKinlee and Ethan Fritch...aren't they cute!!
(L to R) Dave Robinson, Bill Fritch, Jared. Yup, they hauled the handcart the whole time...what great troopers!
May appear to be just a big blue blanket, but underneath is a sweet, sleepy McKinlee
Jared and myself after the woman's pull!
Jared, may not look thrilled, but he really is
MJ right before the 4 mile trek. She is all snuggled in, ready for the ride!
MJ and if you can see that little head peaking out over the water cooler, that is Ethan.
MJ and Ethan...yup, it is raining
Jared and Lexi Robinson
Right before the trek. She was not happy, she wanted to go back to bed!
1st night in the tent. We set the camera up and actually got a cute picture!
Mom and MJ
