Trekking It

Six months ago Mike and I were extended a call to serve as a Ma and Pa on our stake’s youth Pioneer Trek. My first gut reaction to the call was an emphatic NO! (I’d been on two treks previously (1991 and 2003) and knew exactly what I’d be getting myself into). Sitting there in that High Council room with Brother Haymond and Brother Guth sitting across from me in earnest, I wanted to turn and run away fast, but my conscience would not allow it. I reluctantly, and I’m sorry to say grudgingly, accepted (as did Mike). Consequently we’ve spent the last six months anticipating a grueling three day trek where we would be pulling a fully loaded, 500 pound handcart through the hot, dusty, tree-less, sagebrush, cow- pie, and tick infested desert of Wyoming with upwards of 200 teenagers in tow. Not awesome.

When the dreaded Trek date finally arrived we stepped off the buses on that first day into a freezing cold, incredibly windy, and rainy Wyoming morning; then boarded those buses again, three days later, on a dry, sweltering hot, dusty Wyoming afternoon. In between the two bus rides were some very real slices of heaven and a few more (slightly bigger) slices of hell. But, after all was said and done, I’m glad my sense of duty and responsibility won out over my gut desire to shirk. Trek was a valuable experience for me in more ways than one. I had a few real and treasured truths re-emphasized to my heart and soul and now they are a more solidified and happy part of me than ever before.

A few truths re-emphasized…

Truth one…

…if you’re ever in a rugged, treacherous and/or rigorous, outdoor situation, Mike is the man you want by your side. He is unfazed by the elements. He’s not bothered by heat, dirt, bugs, rain, cold or fatigue…I’m talkin’ major outdoor stamina. He’s prepared for every eventuality and is as sure footed as a mountain goat. He’s good natured too. He dragged myself and our little family of eight teenagers through this experience without a complaint. One slice of Trek heaven (did I just say Trek heaven?) was being able to spend three solid days with Mike undisturbed by cell phones, work demands, the computer, or other obligations that seem to be ever present in our daily life at home. He took perfect care of me. I love this man like no other and I’m grateful he was my companion on Trek and that he’s my companion in life. There’s no one better. (He’s pretty good lookin’ in a pioneer hat and some scruff too)…

(I’m guessing the real pioneers didn’t get cell phone coverage. Mike didn’t either, but he kept wishin’)

Truth two…

…I’m surrounded by some incredible people in my life. The members of my ward and stake are fabulous human beings. Let it be understood that nobody is forced to go on Trek. No adult (or teenager for that matter) has to accept the call to trudge through the wilderness in an effort to give the youth a valuable experience; but these people do it anyway, because they are willing to serve. Much diligent work and effort on the part of many, many people is required to pull off something like Trek. All this work and effort is given freely and (for the most part) lovingly.

In the picture above is Julie Wycoff (waving) from my ward who was assigned as the aunt for our Trek family. Mike and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to have with us. She kept my kids hydrated and energized and our handcart organized like no other could have. Sister Wycoff is blessed with a bottomless pit of energy. The other two in the photo are Xarissa and Richard Jardine, our good friends and neighbors who accepted the call to be a Ma and Pa against all odds. Xarissa has been down in bed with debilitating health problems for many, many months, but you should have seen her on Trek. She blew my mind with her determination to see it through and do what she was asked to do. She did it too! I think Trek was a life changing experience for she and Richard. These are only two examples of the goodness I saw in people during Trek but I could go on an on.

Truth three…

…teenagers can bring it!

The Harding family at the end of our journey. (Maybe a little worse for wear, but better too). We did it! 
From left to right: Megan M., Breanna C., Julie W. (aunt), Maddi W., Makayla H., Spencer P., Pa and Ma D., Dallin S., Kaitlyn R., and Nathan S.

So often we hear the phrase “Kids these days!” And in some ways it’s true, but, when you get them away from their cell phones, their Facebook, their Wii games, television sets and IPods, and ask them to do something challenging and difficult, they bring it in spectacular fashion! Again, my mind was blown by how awesome the youth were and what they could, and did accomplish together on this Trek. My little family of eight, randomly selected kids from our stake was incredible. Mike and I couldn’t have asked for better. I’ll love these kids for ever more. My faith in the next generation has been reassured.

The Harding family girls (and hardy they are)

The Harding family boys – hardy (and handsome) they are

Truth four…

…the pioneers accomplished hard things, and like them, we can (and do) too.

Let’s face it…there is no way you can simulate in just three days (within the context of our modern perspective, amidst our modern conveniences and unique circumstances) an authentic pioneer experience. With a three day youth Trek you can only experience maybe the smallest nibble of what the real pioneers must have experienced. But…you can provide something different, something challengingly out of the ordinary for these kids (and adults too) so they can prove to themselves (even in a small way) that they can accomplish whatever they set their mind to accomplish. We are faced with difficult, and unique to our day, challenges. We can (and will) rise to the occasion the same way the pioneers did…by putting one foot in front of the other and by continuing on in faith.

I was inspired that our family’s theme for Trek should be “We Do Hard Things.” It’s not likely that anyone in our little, make believe pioneer family will be trekking across thousands of miles of barely charted wilderness, pulling our meager possessions along with us in a handcart. We most likely will never experience burying a loved one along the trail in a shallow unmarked grave to leave them behind forever, or understand what’s it like to travel to and build a life in the middle of an unclaimed desert; but, just because of the nature and purpose of this life we will be presented with challenges just as daunting in their own respect. Like the pioneers, we will do what we have to do. With God’s continual help we will do it.

Truth Five…

…I really enjoyed the Church and American history we learned about and experienced along the way. I was reminded how grateful I am for what the pioneers (some of them my direct progenitors) accomplished and endured those many years ago. So much of what I enjoy today, here in this beautiful valley, is because of what they were willing to endure. I hope I can make them proud by how I live my life.

An unmarked pioneer grave seen along the actual pioneer trail. We were lucky enough to walk many miles of the actual pioneer trail forged by Brigham Young and others. We saw many a sight…

Philo Dibble, one of the members of the Vanguard company (the first Mormon expedition to come through lead by Brigham Young) had his head  accidently grazed by a bullet from a misfired shot gun. Due to his injury he had to stay behind instead of going on to the Salt Lake Valley with the others. Philo must have been very bored while waiting for the others to return. He had lots of time to carve his name very deeply into this rock where you can still see it today after the others have worn away almost completely.

Truth Five (and the last I will share in this post)…

…I (like my mother before me) am an indoor girl! I love and am extremely grateful for my modern conveniences! I do NOT like using port-a-potties (notice the line for those things). I do NOT like sleeping in a tent. I do NOT like not being able to escape the elements… heat, wind, bugs, cold, and rain. I DO like air conditioning, indoor plumbing, showers, mattresses and eating food that has been cooked in a clean kitchen. I thank the good Lord for these things in my life! And no, I will not be sorry if I never see another cow pie or clump of sagebrush in all my living life!

A warm shower and a soft bed have never felt so good!

Next post is a few more shots from Trek, if you haven’t had enough already…