New Experience Week 17

Sister Smart on Top of Rocky Ridge

Sister Smart On Top of  Rocky Ridge With Missionaries

This week was busy and lots of new things happened.  We had Monday and Wednesday working in the office and  Tuesday we served in the visitors' center.  Monday office time was shortened because we were all excused from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to watch the eclipse.  We went  back to our missionary village and roasted hot dogs while we watched the eclipse.  We had about 97% eclipse right outside our trailer.  Kathy and Matt and family joined the missionary group as we watched and ate. 

Enjoying the Eclipse

Matt and Kathie took their family and headed home as soon as the eclipse was over.  They avoided the traffic on highway 220.  We headed back to the office to finish things that we needed to do.  We were ready to go back home and to FHE but our 15 minute drive looked like it might be an hour or so with back up traffic on highway 220.  We teamed with another missionary couple and got permission to drive one of the 4 wheel drive trucks of the mission on the back roads to the ranch.  We saw a lot of things including Jackson lake that we have never seen before.  We made it home in good time.  We could see the highway while we were moving over the hills and bumps.  The road was almost at a stand still.  We never in a million years would have believed that there was this much traffic even possible in "nowhere land" of Wyoming.

Traffic On Our "In the Middle of Nowhere"  Road

We started early Thursday morning for Rock Creek Hollow.  We stopped at Sixth Crossing for Correlation Meeting.  We headed to Lander for any needed groceries and had lunch there before going to Rock Creek.  We were greeted by Elder and Sister Tobler, whom we were replacing and Elder and Sister Rogers, missionaries from Sixth Crossing.

Our Camping Trailer for the Week

Elder and Sister Rogers graciously took us around the roads and trails in their jeep our second day here.  Sister Smart had had the opportunity to hike up Rocky Ridge last week, but Elder Smart had not been able to see the ridge.  They took us up the road to the back of the ridge and we both were able to see most of the trail that the youth trek and lots of the original handcart trail.

Elder and Sister Smart at the Lower Monument,
Front Trail of Rocky Ridge

The Rogers took us in their jeep on the backside of Rocky Ridge.  We were 1/4 of a mile from the top and so Sister Smart and Sister Rogers took advantage of the opportunity to once again be at the top of Rocky Ridge.

Sister Smart and Sister Rogers
Walking Up the Back Trail To Rocky Ridge

Looking down the Back Side of Rocky Ridge

(Enlarge to See the Jeep where Elder Smart Patiently Waited)

Sister Smart at the Monument on the Top of Rocky Ridge

(Enlarge the Picture To Read Monument)

When we returned to Rock Creek we went to supper at Atlantic City.  It is about 8 miles from Rock Creek Hollow.  It is an old miner's town.  Miner's Grubstake is a depiction of the old town.  The food was very tasty and homemade.

The Miner's GrubSteak

Friday we had  special quests arrive.  Jolene Allphin had traveled from Utah because she was scheduled to speak at a missionary fireside at Martin's Cove.  We were a little sad that we were not going to be able to attend since we were assigned to be at Rock Creek Hollow.  She and her friends and family staid in their motor home here, at Rock Creek Hollow, Friday night and staid most of Saturday.  Jolene has made an in depth study of the Willie and Martin Company for 30 years.  She understands and loves these pioneers more than anyone.  We were blessed with her staying here and sharing.  She invited all of the Sisters to join her on a woman's hike on the actual Willie trail Saturday morning.  We walked and talked about Jane James and how hard it would have been for her to bury her husband at Rock Creek Hollow and trek on with her 7 children to the Salt Lake Valley.  What a special walk that was for Sister Smart!

Sister Southam, Rogers, Smart and Allphin

Walking Down the Original Trail
Look Close; You Can See the Trail

We spent hours on Saturday morning listening to Jolene Allphin.  We are sure we got more information than the missionaries that she spoke to the fireside on Sunday.

Sitting in the Garage Listening to Jolene Share Stories and History

                               
Happy Birthday this week to Mattie and Carter.

We are grateful to Lord for the blessings of being able to serve here. We know that this is Christ's Church and He lives and loves us all.


Grandpa and Grandma Smart, Mom an Dad, Elder and Sister Smart, Paul and Annie

Slowin' Down - Week 16

This week started out really slow.  The schedule showed us with two P-days, Monday and Saturday.  However it also showed us with a Sunday Visitors’ Center assignment from 2:30 to 9 pm.  We knew that our daughter’s family would be here so we had to do some fast thinking.  We found a good missionary couple that would take our Monday P-day and we would work their Monday Visitors’ Center.  They would then take our Sunday Visitors’ Center shift.  It all worked out well and we were able to spend some good times with our family. 

Tuesday we went to Rock Creek Hollow.  Sister Smart wanted to get to hike to Rocky Ridge where her third great grandfather, William James, died.  It was truly a special experience.

Sister Smart on Her Way to Rocky Ridge

We spent Wednesday in the Visitors’ Center.   Thursday and Friday were spent in the office.  We both had plenty to do.  One day we were called out to meet a distant cousin of Sister Smart.  They were also related to William James.

Jeff Johnson & Wife, Descendants of William James

Kathie and her family spent Friday night through Monday with us.  They wanted to be here for the eclipse, on the 21^st.

Enroute to Martin's Cove

At Devil's Gate

 

Zoey and Sister Smart
On Top of  Independence Rock

Sunday we were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting.  Although we didn't have much time, we were grateful for the opportunity.  We also enjoyed our Sunday pot luck luncheon with family members.

Cherrington's at Sunday Pot Luck

Guess we’ll call it quits for this week.  However we’ll leave you all with a picture of Ephraim Hanks who is a favorite rescuer for both of us.  They even made a movie about him.  This picture is particularly exciting since he was a rescuer who brought great hope to the Martin Handcart Company.

Eph Hanks Locates Martin Handcart Company

Love and best wishes to you all,

Elder and Sister Smart, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Paul and Annie

A Fun Week #15

Monday we stayed home all day and did some cleaning, reading and relaxing.

Tuesday we worked in the VC from 10:30 to 5:00.  Our favorite shift.

Wednesday was another ra ra day.  The amount of toilets that needed to be cleaned was much less due to the treks having stopped.  We finished all the cleaning required by noon.  We then went up to our new apartment and did some touch up painting and cleaning.

Thursday we enjoyed a very relaxing day at handcart parking.  There was one small group of families from Thayne,Wyoming that came up the trail and a few other individual groups.  Elder Smart used his friendly persuasive ability to  once again get two young men that were hiking to the cove to compete with each other on pumping the well to fill the water buffaloes. This meant we were able to relax a little more rather than pumping the water well.    One lady that came by us asked about the possibility of running into rattle snakes as they walked.  Sister Smart assured her that if they would stay on the trail, the snakes would not bother her.  When she came down out of the cove, she showed us a picture of a rattle snake curled up right in the middle of the trail.  Who would have guessed?

Did We Say We Took It Easy At Hand Cart Parking?

Friday we were both assigned office duties.  Elder Smart volunteered to make the yearbook that Sister Pace wanted to send  with the missionaries going home next month.  He will be busy doing it, but he is so talented at doing this kind of a thing that he is a big help to President and Sister Pace.

Friday evening Velynn arrived with her 3 children and two of Eli's crew as well.  It was so good to see her and the grandkids.  We had supper and then drove up rattle snake pass in a rover and then drove around the homestead before it got too dark.

Riding the Rover

Riding the Rover

Saturday we had a full day.  We tried to get as much in as possible for Velynn and the kids.  We walked to the cove and had a picnic up at handcart parking.  We were able to take the rover up to handcart parking and so Elder Smart went with us and waited for us to return from our walk in the cove.

At Martin's Cove Monument on the Trail to the Cove

One of the 3 Rescue Statues

We drove the rover up to devils gate on our return.  The kids had a great time finding frogs and climbing the rocks.

Picture of Devil's Gate taken by Lily

Elder Smart took Velynn and the 3 older children through the visitor's center while Sister Smart took the 2 youngest into the movie room and watched the story of the McBride family that was part of the Martin Company.

We then drove 30 miles to Alcova for ice cream.
We took the scenic route home and enjoyed beautiful scenery and the miniature Grand Canyon there.  It was real fun to watch 2 rock climbers inch their way up the side of the Gorge.

Looking Down Into the Gorge and Watching the Rock Climbers

Watching the Rock Climber Emerge

 Independence rock was a real fun stop on the way home.

On Top of Independence Rock

This One Shows How High the Rock Really Is

Pulling the Hand Cart Around Prairie Park

Enjoying the Ride

Sunday  morning before church, we quickly visited some of the other sites at the homestead, Fort Seminioe, the bath house and the bunk house.  A visiting apostle, Elder Cornish, of the Seventies spoke to us at Sacrament meeting.  Velynn and the kids took off for home after church and we stuck around for training from Elder Cornish. We were pleasantly surprised to have Dave and Connie Barr show up at the VC.   It turned out to be a wonderful Sunday.

Sunday Morning Before Church

A nice surprise with Dave and Connie Barr

We are happy to be serving here.  The Spirit is so strong here all the time.  It is truly a blessing to be able to feel and share this Spirit.  We have strong testimonies of the truthfulness of this church and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We love you all,

Grandpa and Grandma Smart, Mom and Dad, Paul and Annie, Elder and Sister Smar

For 3 Missions Velynn has come to us to
Do Sister Smart's Hair    Thanks!

Our Last Big Week -- Week 14

This week went by really quick.  We had nine treks here; the largest being 371 trekkers.  Compare that to this week where we have two treks. The message here is that things are slowing down as kids get ready to return to school.  

Another sign of change is our changing cadre of missionaries.  Elder Smart was busy preparing paper work for 5 couples to return home on September 7th.  Sunday the old mission presidency was changed due to their returning home. 

New Mission Presidency -- Bowden's, Pace's, Paul's

Turpin's, Former 1st Counselor

Shugart's Former 2nd Counselor

That's the big news.  Other than that we did the same old stuff.  Monday was our P-day.  We went to Casper, made a deposit, shopped, ate, downloaded a couple of movies.

New Place to Eat

Tuesday and Thursday we were in Outfitting helping to get trekkers on the trail.

Caught Elder Napping at Outfitting Between Groups

Wednesday we were in the office.  Elder Smart worked on finances and submitting paperwork for those returning home in early September.  Sister Smart spent her time answering phones and learning some secretarial duties associated with the mission.

"Work Crew" was our Friday assignment.  We spent most of the day refinishing handcarts.

Staining a Handcart

Removing a Wheel

We also remembered (almost too late) that our nephew from Sandy was here from Sandy.  So, we headed out late on Friday back to one of our campgrounds called Cherry Creek.  It was almost dark, but we found them.

Sister Smart with the Ackermann's

Saturday we made a quick trip to Casper to make a deposit and do some shopping.  This was not our P-day, but since we had a late shift in the Visitors' Center and since we wanted to use our next P-day for getting ready for Velynn and family, we did it.

We thought that maybe we would finish this one with pictures of our yard and house.

Side Yard

Living Room

Kitchen

Another week has come and gone.  The work is hard but very fulfilling.  Each week we have very gratifying and spiritual experiences. We continue to meet old friends. This week Elder Smart had a chance to meet an old genealogist, "Dear Myrtle".  He also had a chance to speak with a member of his old stake, Draper Corner Canyon, who will be coming next year.

We love our missionary work but still cherish our family and friends.

Love and best wishes to you all,

Elder and Sister Smart, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Paul and Annie

Did We Say a Six Month Mission? WRONG!

We had prep day on Monday and once again traveled the road to Casper.  Sister Smart felt like it had been too long since she had bought any clothes and she spent a little time at the mall while Elder Smart had the car serviced.  We enjoyed lunch at a Johnny J's.  It is a restaurant similar to Johnny Rockets.  It was  a fun atmosphere with good old fashion hamburgers and shakes.

Johnny J's

Tuesday, we served in the Visitors' Center with a 10:30 to 5:00 shift.  This is one of the best shifts -- sleep in a little and get  home at a decent hour.  Before we left for home President Pace called us into his office and asked us to extend our mission for another year.  It was overwhelming.  We have to admit that the Lord had been preparing us for this call for the past month.  We had previously both talked about staying and both felt like this was the Lord's plan, but we agreed that we were not going to volunteer.  We thought, "Of the 45 couples on this mission why would we be one of the six winter couples asked to stay."  Sister Smart felt like the Lord had been telling her that He definitely wanted us to accept the call to stay and she cried frequently for two weeks, knowing that the call would be coming.  Then peace  touched her heart and she is actually getting excited about the things to come.  Even though Elder Smart had been warned he still had a hard time accepting it at first, but he knows this is the Lord's plan for us and is willing to do as he is asked.  We both feel we have been so blessed in so many ways, how can we say "no" to any thing  the Lord asks of us. We both will be working in the office most of the time.  He will still handle all of the finances and Sister Smart is going to be the mission secretary.  Our new release date is Oct. 26, 2018.

We will probably be coming home for a week in September to get things for the winter. We are looking at purchasing a 4 wheel drive vehicle to bring back.  Let us know if you know of a good one for sale.

We will be moving to an apartment that is on site here near the VT and office for the remainder of our mission.  It will be much easier during the winter for all 6 couples that are staying through the winter to be close and not have to travel in and out during the bad Wyoming winter.  

Our Apt. This is Our Entrance on the Side of the House.

Beautiful View From The Front of Our New Apartment

Wednesday we were back on outfitting.  We welcomed trek groups from Casper, Wyoming and Boulder, Colorado.  We sent home a trek group home from Rupert, Idaho and Casper.  Casper group was fun.  We followed them to the creek crossing and took this picture.  They also crossed the bigger Sweet Water River but we did not get a picture. 

Pulling The Handcarts Over the Creek

Casper did a small program of their own during the send home program that we do.  They had several kids tell about their ancestor that they were walking for. One young lady told about her ancestor Clarissa Alger Whitney.  That was exciting since this is Sister Smart's Great Grandmother.  It was fun meeting new cousins.  Sister Smart talked with the young lady and her mother after the program.

Two New Cousins

Thursday we had another day in outfitting.  We helped with a group of almost 800 youth from Pleasant Grove Manila and then 1/2 hour later a group of 200 from Idaho Falls North Stake.  It was rather challenging and exciting to handle 1000 youth in one short morning. PG was divided into 4 separate trek groups. We worked with one other missionary couple and organized everything nicely. It went amazingly smooth.  Elder Smart found he could park 50 cars and 13 buses very compactly. Shortly after these groups left on their way to Martin's Cove, a smaller group of 100 from Driggs, Idaho came to be helped on their way.  We also had 6 groups to send home that day.  Lots of Traffic in outfitting!

Friday we both worked in the office.  Elder Smart worked on the finances and Sister Smart prepared packets for the trek leader training we are doing  at the end of August and first of Sept.

Saturday was a work crew day for both of us.  Elder Smart worked with Elder Ward (no relation) to repair fences and gates out at Cherry Creek campground.  They also fixed a water pump on the trail at handcart parking.  Sister Smart went to the sewing center to help make more of the medallions that we give the young kids that come through.

We received a surprise visitor Saturday. One of  Sister Smart's principals, Mr. Topham came to trek with his family.  We then had another surprise when Sister Smart's nephew and his family came, also.

Russell Stagg Family

It was fun to see Russel and ShuLyn (spell?)

Sunday morning was full of meetings for Elder Smart and then we both enjoyed church.  This afternoon is a little bit relaxed at our home.  Love the let down time.

We want everyone to know that we have a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We feel his spirit direct our lives and touch our hearts as we serve here.  We truly are blessed.

Love you all so much.

Elder and Sister Smart, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Paul and Annie

PS  The apartment that we will be staying in is attached to a large 3 bedroom home that is just for friends and family of those living on the homestead property to stay in when visiting.  We would love all of you to visit.

So Beautiful Here!