The Pioneer Trek

A couple of weeks ago the youth in our church had the opportunity to experience a little bit of what the Pioneers had to endure when crossing the plains in search of religious freedom. 250 people (youth & leaders) were grouped together to make a total of 18 families. Spencer and I were called to assist in the cooking for these people the entire week. We were fortunate enough to be allowed to bring our trailer and our boys. Another life saver was the fact that we were able to bring Caylin with us since her entire family took part in the trek, and she helped us greatly with the boys.

Duties required as camp cooks were sometimes hard, but we did alot of playing as well. Each day started out at 5:00 a.m. with the preparation of breakfast and ended around 10:30 p.m. The first day felt that as soon as one meal was done and off to the kids, the next would begin. By the next day we came up with a plan to have most of the prep work done so it gave us a lot more free time. In addition to Spencer's help in cooking the food he was also the designated food deliverer. Three times a day he had to tow the kids' meals up to where the trekkers were stopped and hand them their meals. Each family had a dutch oven and 10 gallon bucket designated just for them. A few times I went with Spencer to deliver the food and I was shocked at how rough and grueling the road was. Anytime we were around the youth we had to wear the appropriate pioneer clothing.

Visiting the trekkers at camp was so much fun to see during the course of the week and talk with them about how it was going. On Thursday evening, the entire crew from base camp was invited to join the trekkers for dinner at Far West where they were camped. That night was probably the most real night in terms of what it really would have been like as a true pioneer family traveling with a large group. By then I noticed that each family was united. They had gotten to know each other well. As I walked around the meadow I could hear one family gathered around in a circle praying for their food. Another family would be singing a song and others laughing. It was a neat experience to see.

During the week we did have time for fun. The gigantic slip 'n' slide created great fun for us. We hit it several times each day. Spencer and Caylin went tubing down the Yakima River, the kids and I went swimming in the pool at the nearby Best Western, thanks to one of our bug fearing leaders in the stake. We went on walks around the lake and the boys caught countless grasshoppers and other bugs. Our kids were so well behaved during the trip and I can't be grateful enough to them for that. I am also so grateful to Caylin for her help in attending to the kids' needs while I was busy getting food to everyone.

This calling was such a great opportunity for me to really get to know a lot of people in the Stake that otherwise I would have not been able to know. It was wonderful having my family there with me and in the latter part of the week other friends as well.