Return from Trek

We had a wonderful Trek. To catch some of you up on the details, I'll run through a quick explanation. For our LDS Carson City Stake youth conference this year we did a 3 day pioneer handcart trek. We dressed period appropriate and had many wonderful experiences in the 3 day trip. We traveled about 15 miles along the Mormon Immigrant Trail above Kirkwood Ski Resort on HWY 88. We cooked from dutch ovens and played old pioneer games. We sang songs and shared experiences from our ancestors. Thomas and I were asked to come and serve as a Ma and Pa for a family. Each family was given 7-8 children (youth) and a handcart. All of our belongings had to be carried in the cart. We were each allowed 1 5-gallon bucket to bring as luggage. And we had a bedroll. We had an amazing time. Our family was great. Each of the kids were so kind and helpful. We really had a wonderful time getting to know them and work with them for 3 days. So here is a run down of the 3 day trek.

Day 1:

We met at the trail head and met our family. I was a little worried at first, the younger boys were really quiet and 2 of the girls acted like they weren't sure they wanted to be there. Boy was I wrong!

We were the very first handcart to pull out. Thomas was not only serving as a Pa, but also as a company captain. He was in charge of the safety and welfare of the 5 other carts and families that were in our company. There were 3 companies all together. Each had 6 families and each families had 7-8 kids. We started off pulling up a very long and steep hill. I guess they really wanted to thrown us in feet first. Thomas and I had been really sick all week and we were not even close to having our full strength back. Thomas made it about halfway up the hill before he almost passed out. Pres. Brewer advised him to step out and let the big boys take over. And they did just that. I was so impressed with the way the 2 oldest boys in our family never skipped a beat and took charge and encouraged the rest of the kids to the top of the hill. Those kids were amazing!! We made it up the top and then we went up small hills and down some for several hours. We talked and started to get the kids to open up. We pulled through some snow and had to move trees out of the trail.

Going downhill we had to put the rope in back and walk the cart slowly down the hill while some of us stayed in front guiding it.

We stopped for lunch at a place called Leek Springs. It was originally named by the Mormon Battalion as they came through on their way back to their families in Utah. After we ate lunch and listened to the story of the Mormon Battalion, we had a women's pull. We had this special pull to realize both for the boys and girls, what it was like when all the men were asked to go fight the Mexican war. The women and children were left with their handcarts without their husbands or older sons. They pulled their handcarts for months on their own. We only had to do it for 1/2 a mile. At first I thought 1/2 a mile, no big deal. We had 3 strong girls in our family and I knew they were not ones to give up or quit. Then I saw the hill we were to pull up. It was so steep and so rocky. But, we did it! I think it was the physically hardest thing I ever remember doing. It took every ounce of physical and mental strength to make it up that hill. And watching our boys and Thomas standing alongside the trail cheering up on and guiding us around the biggest rocks was great. They struggled so hard to keep their hands off the cart. They told us later how hard it was to watch us struggle and to feel so helpless. Tears were shed!

The end of the women's pull, so grateful it was only a small example of what actual pioneer women had to do!

After the pull we had an enjoyable rest of the day. We stopped at one point for a meat shoot. We picked one of the boys to be our shooter and he had to hit a small buffalo target to get our snack for that afternoon. Thankfully he hit the target and we enjoyed a much appreciated snack.

We pulled a total of 8 1/2 miles on day one! We made it into camp before schedule, which was great. That meant extra time to relax. We had a wonderful dinner of stew and cornbread. The food was provided for us, but the first 2 meals (dinner & breakfast) we had to cook our selves. We played some fun games getting to know everyone a little more.

We had a wonderful devotional that night. The women all set up their bedrolls in a meadow on one side of camp and the men all slept out on the rock cliffs.

It was so beautiful up there. When the sun went down you could see the lights of the whole Sacramento Valley. And the stars were amazing.

Day 2:

The next morning we woke early with the sun, unfortunately, I had just found a comfortable spot and was sleeping toasty warm. But we got up anyway. The boys had agreed to cook breakfast that morning and it was just getting started.

We packed up our bedrolls and started loading the cart. Pres. Brewer gave a beautiful morning devotional.

Our cart, looking out over the beautiful view at our first campsite.

After that 2 of our boys were called away on missions. They were taken out ahead of the companies and taught a little about what it is like to serve a mission for the Church. Our company was the last to pull out that morning. That meant it was our responsibility to do a sweep of the whole camp and clean up any left over items of the smallest scrap of trash. The kids were all a great help and we made sure we left the camp with only footprints and memories! The second day pull was much shorter. About a mile from camp our missionaries found us. They taught us a wonderful lesson on the Restoration on the Gospel.

Our beautiful daughters!

And we were very glad to have them back on the cart. A bit later we stopped at a creek to reenact the Sweetwater Crossing. Our boys all got hip deep in the water and stayed there while they helped all the women through. Some women were carried, others just needed assistance. The water was still very cold and deeper than we thought. The bottom was slippery and we needed the hands of our boys to get across without falling in. We were told the story of that pioneer experience before the crossing. Many boys and men died after that day due to exposure and hypothermia.

After the crossing we ate lunch and the continued up a hill. We were warned about a very big hill sometime that day. We knew when we got to it. It was so steep, it seemed impossible. But they had it set up like many mountain passes the pioneers had to get over. It was set up on a pulley system and every capable person helped on every cart. Some of the women climbed to the top first to help pull the rope. Some of us helped run the slack in the rope straight down the hill. That was so much fun until the slack ran out and you felt you arm being jerked behind you. Then you had to pull it down the hill with the weight of the cart at the bottom. We got all 6 carts up the hill with out any problem. Two of my boys helped push up all 6 carts.

Our cart at the top, a wonderful sigh of relief!

We came into camp that night on a wonderful high. Even though we were tired and dirty, everyone was ready to play. Many games got started. We were playing stick pull, partner games, stick throws and everyone was having a wonderful time.

Thomas and Trevor had a pretty fight going. But Thomas always got him in the end.

We were treated to a huge wonderful dinner that night. The cooking crew definitely out did themselves. That night at campfire we were treated to a hoedown. We were taught to square dance. It was so much fun. The kids really enjoyed it too. You could tell by looks on their faces they were having a great time. I was a little disappointed in the adult participation, but Thomas and I and a few others adults had a great time in our square! After the dancing, each family had made up a song to an old pioneer primary song. It was fun to listen to everyones creative lyrics. Of course, I believe ours was by far the best!! After the songs we listened to many wonderful testimonies by some of the youth about their Trek experience. We had a great spiritual night and we went to bed very tired. I slept much better the second night. Warm and cozy all night long. Morning, again, came to early!

Day 3:

We spent the majority of the day in camp. We had a great breakfast and spent many hours playing games and listening to wonderful speakers. After lunch we had some old pioneer games set up for the kids to wander around and play. The favorite by far the cargo throw. It took a lot of people to thrown just one, but we had so much fun throwing and being thrown. My hands were red and swollen and blistered, but so worth it. Watching the kids enjoy working so hard to see other have so much fun was priceless. And seeing how concerned they were with each others safety was great. They really looked out for the best for everyone. Many who never would have thought they would do something like that were nicely encouraged to participate. They would help throw for a little while, then before they knew it they were agreeing to get on. Everyone had a great time. The boys were even able to throw the big men. Thomas may not have gone very far in the air, but they didn't let him hit the ground either.

Thomas on the net!

Tami on the net!

After the games it was time to pack up and head out.

Our sweet kids!

A family picture on our last pull out of camp.

We were the middle company leaving this time. One of our boys was slightly handicapped. He had trouble walking very far or very fast. At some of the tougher climbs he waited for a medical truck to carry him up. This last pull out the kids were all very anxious to get home. He kept up the first mile of so, but we noticed he was started to fall a little behind. I mentioned to the kids he was having trouble keeping up and without any hesitation they all encouraged him to climb on top. They told him they didn't want him falling behind or waiting for a vehicle. We were finishing this trip as a family! So the last 3 miles, they pulled the cart with one of their brothers sitting on top. It was amazing. Not a single complaint or funny look, just love for their brother.

What great kids!

It was bitter sweet to come to the end. Wonderful to see our family and rides homes. Wonderful thinking about a shower and soft bed. But so sad knowing our little family had become so close in just 3 days and we would have to say goodbye. Thomas and I were blessed with 8 wonderful children for 3 days. They took over when their ailing Pa was to sick to go on. They shared their lives and experiences with us and let us into their lives. I am so thankful for the opportunity we

had to serve on this Trek. It was a wonderful experience we will never forget.

And a huge huge thank you to my mom, dad, Kristi, Austin, Brooke and Virginia. Our real kids had a wonderful time with you! Many thanks to Virginia for hosting a wonderful 3 day party for the 4 big kids! They love you and your grandkids so much, they can't wait to do a Rath sleep over again! Thanks mom for coming to pick them up and bring for bringing them back home. And for taking great care of Nait! I'm so glad he slept good and was good for you. Love you all So very much for allowing us the chance to do this!