Family Trek

It has been awhile since I have written on our blog. This summer has been very busy here at Martin's Cove. So many trekkers coming in each week and some very great and spiritual experiences. The summer trek season is winding down and the missionaries will start going home. By the middle of October (2 months) there will just be 5 couples left here including us. Our release date is November of 2010 so we have awhile to go. That is okay because this is such a special place to serve a mission.

The first part of July a lot of our family came here for a visit and we had a wonderful time. Annie and Corey, Travis, Nikki with her 4 children, and Neil and Jo with their two little girls. We hope that the rest of the family can come next summer. We took handcarts and loaded them up and in our pioneer clothes set out for a trek that went about 7 miles. We pulled the carts to handcart parking and then went into the Cove for a spiritual time. This is where the Marting Company took refuge from the horrible early winter snow storm in 1856. We heard stories and saw where about 1000 pioneers camped. Many died and were buried on the other side of the Cove. It gives you a special feeling as you walk past these sacred spots.

After the Cove we went to the footbridge where the Saints crossed the frozen Sweetwater River to get up into the Cove. When they crossed there were chunks of ice floating down the river hitting their legs and cutting them. When we crossed it was a hot day and the cold water felt good. Even with that we could get the feeling that they were watching us. This firt crossing we did quietly and respectfully. The second spot we crossed we were able to splash and swim a little.

From the river we went and did the woman's pull. The men went to the top of a very steep hill and the women and children pulled the carts to the top. Many of the men in the original Marting Co. died and the women had to go on alone. This activity let the men appreciate what the women had to go through and it let the women really appreciate all the men do for us. It was a very special experience.

We had such a wonderful visit with our children and grandchildren and we look forward to them coming again next year along with those who were not able to come this year. The picture of the large white dog is Josie sitting with Oscar. He is sort of the mascott of Martin's Cove. He is owned by a neighboring rancher who lives about 10 miles away. When the trek season starts, Oscar comes over here and walks along with the trekkers. He slept in our backyard pretty much the whole time our family was here. He thinks he is a star now because his picture and story was in the Childrens Friend several months ago.

We have had such a wonderful experience here on our mission and are so blessed to be able to serve here. Until next time, Elder & Sister Warr (Glen & Cherie)