2nd Week -- Learning, Doing, and Feeling the Spirit

This has been a full week with lots of learning experiences. We started off the week with our P day. We went in to Casper again to get some needed supplies.

Trail Marker

Bessemer Bend

We visited Bessemer Bend on the way back. Bessemer Bend is where the Martin Company were stopped to rest because of the horrific storm, their lack of energy due to small food rations, and their lack of hope due to 56 deaths in their group that took place in the last few days.. While camping there they were found by the express riders from the Grant rescue party on October 28th [By the way, this Grant is the same one that Grantsville is named after.] The rescuers informed them that there were wagons with supplies waiting for them at Devils Gate, ( We see Devils Gate every day from the mission visitors site). This gave them hope and they gathered to start out in the morning. The 3 rescuers moved forward to find the Hodgetts and Hunt wagon trains and then returned to the rescue wagons and told them to start moving forward.

Independence Rock

Story of Independence Rock

We also visited Independence Rock about 30 miles west of Bessemer Bend. Independence Rock was a landmark for the pioneers indicating that if they made it there by Independence Day they should be able to make over the mountains before the winter snows hit. It was about November 2nd when the Martin Company passed by here.

Tuesday was fun. It was the first day all week that we got to sleep in a little. We worked the late shift at the Visitors Center. We did not need to start until 1:00. We did go at noon to have a tour of some of the trail sites on a rover (little golf like cart). Visitor’s center was slow. The traffic does not usually get busy until Memorial Day. We still enjoyed ourselves.

Sprinkler System Expert

Wednesday was a work day for us. In the morning, Elder Smart worked with Elder Tobler (Dentist from Las Vegas) to design and put in a sprinkling system to cover the flower bed next to the barn. Sister Smart was asked to go visiting teaching with an office helper (Sister Roundy) to some in-actives living at Independence Rock and at Muddy Gap. In the afternoon we did what is affectionately called RRA (rahrah)(rest room assistant). We cleaned the bathrooms and emptied garbage, even on the trails.

4th Graders Visiting the Blacksmith Shop

In Costume Ready to Teach the 4th Graders

Blacksmith

Making Prairie Diamonds

Thursday we got to help with the 4^th graders that came from Casper on a field trip to learn about the pioneer groups that traveled through this location. That was not only the Mormon pioneers but also the Oregon trail, California trail and the Pony Express Riders that traveled through here. Sister Smart went with one of the 8 groups to teach and share at each station. Elder Smart was assigned to the Blacksmith shop station. He taught and shared with each of the 8 groups as they came to his station. Actually we both shadowed another missionary to learn rather than do it ourselves. Next week we will be on our own for the school groups.

Friday was trek training for leaders of Wards, Stakes and family groups that will be doing trek this summer. We joined them in the training. This included taking the trek to Martin’s Cove.

Annie's Trek (She is behind the second group... see red arrow)

We have been concerned about Elder Smart’s knees being able to handle the hikes. We decided to try it. It was a 7 mile hike with frequent rest stops. Shortly after walking about 1 1/2 miles his knees were turning to rubber. The missionary in charge of taking care of these type of problems, radioed base and he waited with Elder Smart until the Trek was out of site and then a rover came to get him. He ate lunch back at the barn and then made himself available to work. He should have been more careful because he was very sore and tired after the Trek. He worked with Elder Ward moving big logs and boards for benches. He was extremely worn out just like Sister Smart who walked and walked and walked. Neat experience! We all gathered at the Barn for supper. Met people from Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nebraska, that were here to prepare to bring their youth or families to Trek. Of coarse, Elder Smart is in his realm meeting new people and finding connections.

Sixth Crossing Visitors Center

The Trek training continued at Sixth Crossing on Saturday morning. The church has a vistors' center there and it honors mostly the Willie Company. We got up early to travel 50 miles to be there in time for breakfast served at the trek center. We listened to instructions for the Youth leaders and family representatives that were planning on coming back with the trekkers. Sister Smart really enjoyed learning and seeing places that pertained to the Willie Company. Sixth Crossing is where the Grant rescue party found the Willie Company. A few miles down the road is Rocky Ridge and Rock Hollow. We were unable to go there because of snow on the roads. We will definitely have to return there in a few weeks . Rock Hollow is where a group grave of 13 people who pushed so hard coming over Rocky Ridge were frozen and starving, died and were buried in a community grave. Sister Smart’s 3^rd Great Grandfather (William James, 1810-1856) is one of these people and his name is the first one listed on the memorial at Rock Creek Hollow.

We ventured into Riverton, Wyoming after the meetings were finished and did a little shopping and sight seeing.

Sunday was good. Church is so very uplifting with an entire branch of missionaries. Elder Smart even bore his testimony. We always have a pot luck dinner following our Sunday meetings. We also generally have district meetings following dinner. When we got home from all that our electricity went out for almost 7 hours. Most of Missionary Village was without electricity. The biggest problem is that the pump for our water is run by electricity. No electricity. No Water. It was quite an ordeal for Rocky Mountain Electric to get the electricity going. We watched them replace a huge transformer and fuses. We were entertained by two big trucks and cherry picker ladder lifts work on replacement and repair until 10:00 last night. That is why the blog did not make out to everyone yesterday.