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!!

Since our internet is so sporadic, we haven't been able to update our blog so here goes.
This picture shows just how close to Lavell Stadium that we parked our 5th wheel & truck while we stayed at the MTC.

Along the way to Sixth Crossing, we came to a monument showing the Parting of the Ways where the trails separated to go various directions:  Pony Express, Oregon, California, & Mormon Pioneers.

Here is the gate into Sixth Crossing.

The first Sunday we were at Sixth Crossing, April 13, we were greeted by a wild snow storm.  Our truck, trailer, & jeep aren't used to such cold weather.  This shows Missionary Village where we all park our trailers.

We've been kept busy moving handcarts and learning about the sites.

This metal building is our trek center where we meet every morning for correlation meeting, do our laundry, & have all get-togethers, pot-luck dinners, etc.
The John Linford Monument is a landmark at Sixth Crossing which is in memory of 9 pioneers who died at Sixth Crossing in October, 1856.

 If you look really close in the background, you can see our local moose resident.
We visited a place called The Sinks by Lander, Wyoming where the river just disappears into the ground, mountain side and about a mile downstream, it resurfaces.

Yes, we look bundled up because it's on the cold side here.

We're all ready to go on our first trek about 5 miles.  Elders Plumhof & Baker in action.  We're wearing our official trail dress.

Having lunch at Willie Meadow and telling pioneer stories.

We visited what's called The Lower Monument at the base of Rocky Ridge.

On April 25, 2014, we got to visit Martin's Cove and learn about their sites there.  Elder & Sister Baker, Elder & Sister Woodbury, & Elder & Sister Anderson.

 We saw our great-great-grandfather's name on the list of rescuers, Gurnsey Brown.

 And we also found great-great-grandma's name in the Hunt Wagon Company, Esther Brown, who was rescued by grandpa & eventually married him.

We thought this was such a unique tree trunk at Martin's Cove.

 We got to go on a 7 mile trek at Martin's Cove with about 200 trek leaders who will be bringing youth groups here in the summer.

Sisters going up the women's pull while the men stand alongside the trail in salute.  Touching!

Monuments representing the struggling pioneers along the trail at Martin's Cove.

Veil Bridge with Devil's Gate in the background.

A tired bunch of missionaries after our trek.  We've seen much & learned a lot.  Elder & Sister Baker, Elder & Sister Anderson, Elder & Sister Schaufert.  Til next time, keep up the good work.