We've had some computer glitches so here's the latest.  We got to see some of the handcart trail from over by Casper & Martin's Cove.  Really a special spirit to be on the actual trail & sites where the pioneers travelled.

Some of us on Reshaw's Bridge where the Willie Handcart Company received 37 buffalo hides when they travelled through here.  Sister Baker, Eastman & the Paynes.

We got to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Casper, WY.

 Markers at Bessemer Bend where the Martin Handcart Company camped.

Red Buttes is right close to Bessemer Bend.

This is the Avenue of Rocks along the pioneer trail.  

Willow Springs is where the pioneers enjoyed some fresh water.  Now it's marked by this dead willow.

This small stream is where the Martin Company was finally met by the rescue wagons.  It's another special place!

The Willie Meadow is behind us.  We're standing on the hill to the west where the rescuers came down into the handcart camp.

We ended our tour at Rock Creek Hollow.  It started to rain on us just as we finished.

Grumpa got to drive this big truck on one of our work trips to Rock Creek Hollow.

These pictures show how the Sweetwater River meanders through the valley.  These are taken between Rock Creek Hollow & South Pass.

We drove through some serious muddy roads getting into Sage Campground area where we started the trek over Rocky Ridge on Friday, May 23.

 Our poor Jeep has never been so mud-caked.

We are looking pretty good as we start out the trek.  We're by the Lower Monument area.

Elder Bunnage, Baker, & Hutchinson doing some relaxing after reaching the top of Rocky Ridge.  Notice the huge rocks the pioneers pulled their handcarts over.

Yippee!  We made it to the top of Rocky Ridge, pioneer dress & all!  Had a very spiritual moment remembering what the pioneers endured there.

Here is one of the pioneer trail markers we passed by along the trail to Rocky Ridge.

Wow!  We even made it back to our muddy vehicles with a smile on our faces!  We completed the trek for approximately 8 miles round trip.  Lots of mud on the old shoes.

Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, we took a drive past Lander & found Sacajewea Cemetary with a nice monument in her honor.  Enjoyed the day with fellow missionaries.  We even had phone & internet connections.  We are making the most of our time here and learning lots!

On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, the missionaries at Sixth Crossing got to see the Willie Handcart Museum which is in a special room in the Riverton Stake Center.  There are two really special sculptures depicting scenes from the handcart experiences.

This shows Jens & Elsie Nielsen on the cart with Bodil Mortensen holding the hand of Niels Nielsen trudging through deep snow.  The other figure in the back is of James Kirkwood who carried his 4 yr old brother over Rocky Ridge.

This is hard to see but it depicts the death of Bodil Mortensen with Jens Nielsen laying her on the ground while an angel greets her.  The Riverton Stake was instrumental in doing the temple work for those handcart pioneers or 'The Second Rescue.'  They have collected all sorts of artifacts, books, articles, pictures, etc and it's all on display in this museum.

On Saturday, May 10, we did some more exploring & found our way to the Upper Monument at the top of Rocky Ridge.  This was where the Willie Company had to cross over on about a 16 mile trek in a blizzard, trudging through deep snow, trying to reach Rock Creek Hollow where they camped.  At least 13 members of their company died that day, October 23, 1856.

Pictures just don't/can't show just how rough and rocky this area is.  Schaufert's were with us on this adventure.

                                       Yes, they pulled their handcarts over this.

On Friday, May 16, we explored the area where the Willie Handcart Company probably crossed the Sweetwater River for the 3rd & 4th crossings.  

We're seeing lots of the area & trying to imagine all the handcarts travelling through this area.

 We had a nice surprise visit from the Paul, Pilar Baird & daughter Nikki.  It made our day!

We took them for a ride around the area of Sixth Crossing and we got to see the resident moose & her yearling.

 Here we are standing alongside the Sweetwater River which winds like a snake through the valley.  You can see our Missionary Village in the background.

 This is the future visitor's center; beautiful building but can't use it yet.

Elder Baker has been working with the others to build some facades for the porta-potties to be placed on the trails.

We visited the Lower Monument at the base of Rocky Ridge.

 This is Sage Campground where the youth will camp for the night then begin their hike over Rocky Ridge.  Lower Monument is about 1.3 miles from this campground.

This is one of the markers along the trail showing the Pony Express, Mormon Pioneer, California, & Oregon trails were all together through this area.

The snow was finally melted & roads opened so we could make it into Rock Creek Hollow on Monday, May 5, 2014.

 This enclosed area is where the monument is for the 13 who died while crossing over Rocky Ridge.

This is a very sacred place as we remember those handcart pioneers who sacrificed their all.
We will get to stay here for 1 week during the summer to be camp hosts for those visitors who come see this site.

There is still some snow in the area.  Notice the cool snow 'bridge' over the river.

This is the "Remember" monument in honor of all those in the Riverton Stake who were involved in the 'second rescue'.  They researched names & did the temple work for all those pioneers in the handcart company.
We had another snowstorm on Mother's Day so this area is probably all snowed in again.

Thanks to all my wonderful family for remembering me on this special day.  I love you all!!