June 12, 2016

Last Sunday on June 5th we went up to a rock that is called

Romance Rock.  The cowboys that worked here years ago

used to go up there to be alone with their girls.

We had never walked up there.  To be honest,

it is only reached by walking through a lot of

sage brush, which means TICKS.  We decided it 

was one of the things on our bucket list to do

before we leave the Ranch at the end of the summer.

We climbed up on the rock, not real easy, enjoyed the view and

then got looking at how we were going to get down. 

That was a bigger problem.  We talked about calling

some missionaries and have them drive a 4x4 back to us and

we could climb down on it.  Our pride came into play

and we figured out how to get down.  Just before dropping off

we thought how it would be bad if we broke an ankle two days

before trekking.  We thought about if we were Jeremiah

and his boys they would be bouncing off and down the

rock with no thought.  Yes, we did get down with

no injury.  We also agreed maybe we wouldn't

climb the rock again.

Our first trek was with the American Fork 27th Ward.

They had 20 youth and 31 adults.  They used

5 carts and that meant there was only about 6 on

each cart.  As the week progressed lots had only 4 or 5.

They were tough and finished fine.They put the flag

on different carts each day.  It looked pretty awesome

as they went down the trails.

This is a game of pick up sticks.  We saw them play this

several times during the week.

Music was used lots.  They are playing their theme song,

"Carry On, Carry On, Carry On."

This is Jeff/Charlie Decker delivering the mail on his

horse, Sliver, a real thoroboard.

The kids and adults loved his time with them.

While sitting in the 4X4 I was waiting to follow the trek

group.  We don't follow to close so they don't hear the

motor running.  I looked up from a song book I was

reading and realized I had company.  She walked down the

road toward me and then went off the the left.  What 

a great moment that was.  I was actually glad I was

in the 4x4 then.

This is the title of Liberty Brother Hall made for the

trek.  On Saturday morning he had everyone in the

camp sign their names on it.  We were invited to sign

it also.  We loved all of them, and really had a 

great time with them.

This is a piece of sage brush the Combs family used to

hold up their cart when they were stopped.

Pretty cleaver way to do it.

This family had two young men in it.  They loved their Ma

a lot so they made a mothers day gift for her. It was a old

2x4 board and a piece of a cow bone.  She, of course was thrilled.

They were upset though when Pa told them he wasn't going to take

it home to American Fork with them.  When they begged he

told them "Get used to disappointment."

So then they made a sled thing to pull behind the cart.  

Their intention was for Ma to sit on it and she wouldn't have

to walk the rest of the way, she could rest and ride.

This is the Pa testing it out first.

Here is Ma trying out the new ride.  She decided

it would be to rough and splintery to do it.  Good

decision, right?  What a great and funny family they were.

These are flowers in her hair.  The wild flowers were

absolutely amazing.  Every color and kind.

Great views on the trail we were on.  This is the

Bishop reflecting on Friday.  What a great job he did.

Check out the tall grass.  She is almost buried in it.

This is some of the things our mountain man Brother Hall

had.  He kept us entertained and educated on the

life and times of a mountain man in the 1800's.

He had made these himself.

This is a bag that was made by a mutual friend we have

Shawn Webster.  The bead work is porcupine quills. 

Really a masterpiece.

This is Brother Hall, I am wearing his coat made from

elk and deer skin.  What a cool thing it was and it had

that smell that tanned leather has.  I think I need a long dress

made of leather, I think I would look like a great Princess.  Like

the girl in "Dances With Wolves", right?  Maybe I will start

a Go Fund Me account to pay for it!

This is Syd and Garth Harward the Trek Committee

chairman for the Trek.  They also know our Ray and

Georgia.  What great fun to share stories of them and

to know we were connected.

Here is a sunset photo Elder Cowan took.  He loves

to take sunrise and sunset pictures.  This is on Murphy Ridge.

Every night in camp they would park their carts in a nice

neat row.  Elder Cowan took this picture.

 This is the finished product.  This is Brother and Sister Hall.

They helped make this a great trek.

I don't know if you can see this but there by the tank, just 

below it is our antelope friend, he is still with us.  We named

him Redick Allred.  He was a rescuer for the Willy and Martin

Handcart companies.  He was faithful and determined and never

gave up on finding them.  Because of this Captain Grant called him

"the Bulldog" Good for the Hang On"  So

because our Antelope never leaves he is now

called Redick.  

This is a nest of baby birds we have in the Christy Pavilion. I will post updated

photo's each week.  You can follow their progress.  But, you

must know, the mama bird buzzes your head when

you look in on them.  I will be brave, and take the

pictures anyway.  Carry on, carry on, carry on.