We had months to prepare, but nothing can prepare you for trek. At least we looked like pioneers, if you ignore the watches, sunglasses, Hoka hiking shoes, etc.
You'll never guess the theme music I used.
Hudson was ready for an adventure.
The 6am wake-up call was a little early for these pioneers.
After a short meeting in Wenatchee, we loaded the cars and drove another three and a half hours to a church owned farm outside of Prosser. We loaded our wagons and got ready to hit the trail. This is our trek family. L-R: Prestley, Lucy, Alice, Owen, Huddy, Calvin, Eli (in the back), Zach, and BP Mo Flo.
We were nervous but excited to start pushing and walking.
We had gone about 30 minutes when I noticed a kid climbing the hill to relieve himself and immediately knew it was one of DeA's children.
The first day was hot, it hit about 103, and after the early morning, the long car ride, standing around getting stuff into wagons, and kids not eating or drinking enough, it got difficult. About an hour in, Alice looked a little glazed. I asked if she was okay and she said "I can be prone to fainting" and then went down. Thankfully, DeA was there to catch her. I thought she would be done for the week, but after removing extra layers of clothes and getting her hydrated, the med team cleared her to return for the afternoon. We had a steep hill where everyone helped pull the wagons up with a rope, it was a neat experience. DeA was the prettiest Pioneer on the prairie. Did I use that one yet?
She also felt like the hottest and dirtiest and tired-est pioneer on the prairie.
The end of the first day was a welcomed event for DeA.
Broc was glad to use the evening skit as an excuse to bring his non-church and church worlds together.
The long, hot, dusty, day came to a wonderful conclusion with the nightly devotionals and messages at the sun set.
The second morning started a little slow, kids were tired and sore and adults were very tired and very sore. Everyone had a good attitude and were ready to hit the trail.
They were sleepy, but ready.
Um, it was probably a good thing that Dad didn't help that second day, or I think Hudson would have just stayed with him all day. But, as it was, he started with the group and after about a mile said "today is much better than yesterday" and things went a lot easier.
We look like real pioneers, except for the coolers, buckets, sunglasses, etc...
Hudson was a strange combination of exhausted and also needing to stim, so he was often off by himself. A few of the adults mentioned that they loved watching him go because he reminded them of their own kids or of students from school, so he was well watched over and cared for.
Pioneer Schnoogies ready for the second day.
I like watching her tell stories.
She gets very expressive.
The kids were more hydrated and better fed the second day and fell right into a rhythm that took them through the longest day of walking.
Rock kind of looks like he's at trek and also like he's an uncle at a kid's birthday party picnic.
He took full advantage of his convertible Costo short/pants.
Ryker the pioneer.
The second day was pretty smooth, despite being difficult at times. The kids were happy to hit camp and to rest in the 95+ degree dusty campsite.
The bluest eyes on the prairie.
Ryker was really excited to be the main character in their evening skit. He demanded the microphone, just as his mother would have done.
By the second night I think DeA was starting to enjoy herself.
Her forehead is wonderful to kiss, even when it's a little dusty and salty.
Hudson did not want dinner, so I pretty much had to drag him over and get him a plate. Later that night, I found this in his corner of the tent, so apparently other people helped him find food.
BP Mo Flo enjoying the evening to read and contemplate.
Eli also enjoyed that quiet time.
Hudson had quite the miraculous experience on Thursday morning. While sitting on his bucket, a fellow traveler with a hat brought him a bag of his favorite snacks and jam sandwiches. Huddy talked to the traveler for a few minutes, telling him how he and the company were doing. It wasn't until Ryker ran over and jumped on the traveler's back did Hudson realize that it was his Grandpa Dale the whole time. No, really, he didn't know it was Hampa until Ryker came over. Lindsea suggested that after watching 17 Miracles and seeing the story of the traveler in a hat providing miraculous beef jerky, maybe Huddy thought this traveler in a hat was also an angel.
England Trek Family ready to trek another day.
Thanks for taking the picture, Nelson.
The walkingest pioneer on the prairie.
The kids wanted a picture of the rainbow cloud.
You walk for three days in the heat, dust, and scrubland and at the end of the third day you make it to Zion's Camp. It is a lovely wooded and grassy oasis in the Prosser desert. DeA saw the sprinklers going and jumped right in, since that was the closest thing to a shower.
It was amazingly refreshing.
I was impressed with all the though and care that went into trek, and arriving in Zion really felt like a joyful accomplishment.
The kids ran around and played games, they had snacks and drinks, and everyone just kind of relaxed after a hard three days of trekking. It made me, and I think the kids, appreciate on a much deeper level how much our ancestors sacrificed to come across the plains like this over months. We did about 1/100th of what they did, and I'm grateful for the experience that brought me closer to my Savior by seeing how much the gospel meant to the people that built the church up to become what it is today.
We had a little discussion in our wards, I filled in for bishop and got to lead it with them. It was wonderful to hear their experiences that could be life changing if they let them.
"Trek" clothes.
It was even more sweet to have all the kids with us on the trail and to experience it as a family.
Even with how great Zion was, DeA was still very ready to go home to her "zion" that included her shower and bed.
Way back when we were asked to go on trek,I had promised her that she would have nothing to do, nowhere to go, or anyone to answer to the Friday we got home or the Saturday that followed. These are all different naps that she took on Saturday. They are not the same nap, and I think she ended up taking three.
And this was her Sunday nap. She earned them!
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