Pioneer Trek @ Martins Cove

Ok so this was an exciting journey for us because we actually did something that not alot of Australian Tourists have done and that was to do a Pioneer trek across the countryside in Wyoming. This was also a great opotunity for us to stay in Uncle Gregs Motorhome...which Hayden was drooling over..hence the photos. Plus it was an opportunity for us to get a lil taste of what it may have been like to pull a handcart through rough terrain. So Trish , Haydens cousin and her daughter Maggie came along for the ride and they were so much fun...Love ya heaps along with Aunty Karen and Uncle Greg. It was a 6 hour drive...felt more like 2 hours...oh yeah thats right, I was asleep for most of the trip there and back. Word to the wise...if you can sleep while travelling, then do it. helps avoid the whole jetlag thing.
Anyway, our first stop was Independence Rock. This landmark was a prominent and well-known landmark on the Oregon, Mormon and California emigrant trails. And it was prominent for its mosquitos. I swear I swallowed a whole lot of mozzies that night. If you thought the flies were bad in Australia...these were worse.

So this is the site. It us about 8 minutes to climb to the top.

So this is Hayden and I on top of Independence Rock..Kinda reminded me of Ayers Rock. A rock in the middle of nowhere.

While at the top you see all these inscriptions. This one was the clearest and form what I could determineas being the oldest. Apparently the pioneers used to incsribe their names so that family or friends following would know they were alive. at least.

All that said and done, we saw the remainder of night playing rook or bakers bridge...Can't remember who won but it was fun. At least there were no cheats...aye Uncle Clint.

The next day we started our Pioneer Journey. Each group was given a Handcart and because we had children...opted for one with shade. It was so much fun. We learnt alot about the history of the pioneers, thanks to uncle Greg and we were able to get to know each other a bit more.

On the trail. This was our cart and the girls had a makeshift bed in the back. Soooo inviting. Made you wish you were a kid again.

The family at Martins Cove. You'll see on the Martins Cove map at the top the track that we actually walked. See the lines...yeah walked the whole thing and pulled the art throught the Sweetwater River. Yeah...Haydee thought it was a blast. We felt a lil awe inspired because as the story goes...4 young men aged about 18 walked back and forth carrying approx 400 people across this river during the winter. Imagine doing this in the snow. And this was the very spot they did it.

From here we walked another kilometer to the finish, thank goodness. Its not comfy walking around in wet clothes and sand rubbing between your thighs... But we made it. I think we walked about 8 miles in 28 degree heat. Well it felt like 8 miles give or take.

When we finished, Haydee wanted a turn pulling the childrens handcart around the complex. She lasted about 10 meters and dumped the handcart for the pram. Yes, she's our lil princess. Likes to be pushed around and doesn't like to miss out on a thing. But what an experience. After a hot shower I absolutely crashed for about 5 out of the six hours home. The walk kinda took it outta me and outta the whole family...because we all conked out on the bed...