Pioneer Trek

Sammy (17) and Jackson (12) had the chance to participate in the Stake's Pioneer Trek.  Sammy had done it a few years ago when he was 12, which was pretty cool to get to do it twice.  Jackson was pretty excited to go.  We gathered their costumes a few weeks before and packed them up. 

In the wee hours of the morning, Clint and Amy were kind enough to pick them up and take them to the Stake center to get on buses to head to Martin's Cove.

(Clint and Amy went as a Ma and Pa)

They each had to put all they were going to take (except sleeping bags and pillows) in these 5 gallon buckets.  Sammy's "family" made these soft cushions to glue on top for a comfy seat.

Breck and Melonie Nielsen in our ward, were Sammy's Ma and Pa.  Jared and Tami Gage, also in our ward, were Jackson's.  I haven't received their pictures so I don't have any of Jackson on the Trek, but here are a few of Sammy and his Trek family.

Sammy, along with others, helped carry women across the river in an re-enactment of the pioneers, except the water was much colder than it was this time.

Amy with her trek girls climbing the hill without any help from the men, they had to just stand there and watch.  I heard it was a very spiritual experience.

Breck and Melonie Nielson and their Trek family.

I am thankful for these experiences that my children get to participate in.  They didn't say much about the trip, but I know they grew and learned a lot about the handcart pioneers.