Kris and I had the opportunity to go on Pioneer Trek as "Ma and Pa Cox" It was a really great experience to be able to do as a couple. I was able to go as a youth but Kris had never gone. I gained a much greater appreciation for what the pioneers had to endure! I could barely handle the 21 miles in 3 days, with good food and water, and a nice shower and comfortable bed when it was all done-the pioneers went through a whole lot more without any of the modern day conviences. 
Our ward trekkers
Kris is the young men's president in our ward right now so it was fun for him to be with his "boys"
It was fun for me to be back with some of my girls from young womens!
My counselor in the stake primary, Cindy, and I were in the same company on the trek.
Ma and Pa Cox getting ready to head out on the trail
Pa Cox
We were given a "family" of 8 kids. We had a great group and had LOTS of fun together! It made me miss my EFY counselor days!
We had all our gear in our handcart
Pa and Ma (aka K.C. Masterpiece and Emerald)
Jacie and I-Jacie is our fabulous babysitter! We love her!
On the first day we walked 10 miles and at the end of the stretch we did a "womans pull" where the men weren't allowed to help the women pull the cart. It was to reinact when the men were called away to war or had died in the journey. It was also one of the biggest hills of the whole trek. We had to do it in silence and it was really neat. The guys said afterwards that they were really hating having to watch us and not being able to help us.
yes I am the short one on the right, but I am also down in the trail so I look even shorter.
Our family made a fun flag to display on our cart
The sunsets were AMAZING and so were the stars at night! We slept in the open-no tents and although I was really nervous about that at first-it ended up being awesome to be able to fall asleep looking up at the gorgeous stars above you!
The Cox fam
Kris found creative ways to make shade at our camp each day
We played lots of fun games one of the days
The silly pose
THe home stretch back to the buses for home was a welcome sight!
One of the most moving moments for me was on our final day as we were leaving the camp for the last time. It was a beautiful morning and we were the last cart to make our way up the hill from camp. All the kids were quiet and all you could hear was the creaking of the handcart and as we came up over the top of the hill we came upon the scene of 2 parents reinacting the loss of loved ones on the trail and it really hit me hard that these people really had to bury loved ones and leave them as they moved forward. I could not comprehend what it would be like to be leaving camp for the last time like we were and have to leave loved ones behind! I am greatful for the sacrifices that were made so that we can enjoy our freedom and faith now. My testimony of the Savior, the gospel, and of families, was strengthened through this experience and I am grateful I could be a part of it.
We came home with some good blisters and this is Kris's pretty ankle after the trek. The first night as we came into camp he rolled it in a big hole and sprained it really bad but he didn't let it stop him from trekking the rest of the time on it. He sucked it up and he even square danced with me at the hoedown. What a trooper!
Thanks to Kris's parents and family for watching the girls for us while we were gone! They had a GREAT time! They went swimming LOTS at grandma's, went up the canyon for a picnic, had a slip and slide and splash pool at Tysens, and played with the cousins! (thanks for the pictures Tysen)
Our ward trekkers
Kris is the young men's president in our ward right now so it was fun for him to be with his "boys"
It was fun for me to be back with some of my girls from young womens!
My counselor in the stake primary, Cindy, and I were in the same company on the trek.
Ma and Pa Cox getting ready to head out on the trail
Pa Cox
We were given a "family" of 8 kids. We had a great group and had LOTS of fun together! It made me miss my EFY counselor days!
We had all our gear in our handcart
Pa and Ma (aka K.C. Masterpiece and Emerald)
Jacie and I-Jacie is our fabulous babysitter! We love her!
On the first day we walked 10 miles and at the end of the stretch we did a "womans pull" where the men weren't allowed to help the women pull the cart. It was to reinact when the men were called away to war or had died in the journey. It was also one of the biggest hills of the whole trek. We had to do it in silence and it was really neat. The guys said afterwards that they were really hating having to watch us and not being able to help us.
yes I am the short one on the right, but I am also down in the trail so I look even shorter.
Our family made a fun flag to display on our cart
The sunsets were AMAZING and so were the stars at night! We slept in the open-no tents and although I was really nervous about that at first-it ended up being awesome to be able to fall asleep looking up at the gorgeous stars above you!
The Cox fam
Kris found creative ways to make shade at our camp each day
We played lots of fun games one of the days
The silly pose
THe home stretch back to the buses for home was a welcome sight!
One of the most moving moments for me was on our final day as we were leaving the camp for the last time. It was a beautiful morning and we were the last cart to make our way up the hill from camp. All the kids were quiet and all you could hear was the creaking of the handcart and as we came up over the top of the hill we came upon the scene of 2 parents reinacting the loss of loved ones on the trail and it really hit me hard that these people really had to bury loved ones and leave them as they moved forward. I could not comprehend what it would be like to be leaving camp for the last time like we were and have to leave loved ones behind! I am greatful for the sacrifices that were made so that we can enjoy our freedom and faith now. My testimony of the Savior, the gospel, and of families, was strengthened through this experience and I am grateful I could be a part of it.
We came home with some good blisters and this is Kris's pretty ankle after the trek. The first night as we came into camp he rolled it in a big hole and sprained it really bad but he didn't let it stop him from trekking the rest of the time on it. He sucked it up and he even square danced with me at the hoedown. What a trooper!
Thanks to Kris's parents and family for watching the girls for us while we were gone! They had a GREAT time! They went swimming LOTS at grandma's, went up the canyon for a picnic, had a slip and slide and splash pool at Tysens, and played with the cousins! (thanks for the pictures Tysen)
3 comments:
You're pictures are all so good. It was fun reading about it all. Looks like you had a very fun group. Glad you survived.
Ditto to Julie's comment! I'm glad you had the chance to go. What an awesome experience to have as an "adult" - if we can call ourselves that! You look cute as a pioneer!!
How fun! I am covered in goosebumps reading that post! You guys are awesome! What a great experience! I am sure the kids in your group loved you guys!
Post a Comment