Martin's Cove Site

Aug 10Today is our last day for the Welcome Post. Tomorrow we will have preparation day and that means a trip to Casper for supplies, including card stock from Staples for the cards I am making to reply to those who answer our QRZ call on the 25th of this month. The table for the covered wagon has been made and it will fit right over the side boards without maring the paint or wood. We hope that this will be an inaugaration for years to come.
We had good trek groups this week with the Hansen, ID-- BSA troop being the last one for this week. As we got the troop ready for their handcart trek to Cherry Creek camp it was noticed that they had requested that Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Reed visit their camp that evening. Our schedule only went to the eights and did not include the ninth. Now what? I had a feeling that it would fall to me and Bernice to take up the slack. At ten minutes to seven PM I was asked over the radio if we could fill in. We did and it was a most rewarding event. We went to their camp dressed in our period clothing and they had just arrived there. It would be a late activity. The scoutmaster invited us to come and perform, but we resisted and asked him to set up their camp first and we could talk and visit in the dark afterward. At 8:30 all was ready for us and we did our thing. We were asked to stay for dinner which was a good thing because we did not have time to go and prepare a meal for ourselves. While were eating and visiting the scoutmaster and I compared notes. He was in Anchorage, Alaska after I had been there and had taken over my scout troop # 25. He knew the people I camped with and also the bishop of the second ward. It was a most meaningful evening and I call that "tender moments". It seems that there are no co-incidences while serving here. People, friends are brought together in a most delightful way. As we were talking during the meal the bishop turned to me and mentioned that his counselor was a g.g.grandson of Ephraim Hanks and that our presentation was true and correct. He just had not heard the Banty Rooster story that happened at Ft. Bridger. These things make this mission so special.
The visitors for the last two days were from various parts of the United States and two car loads from Israel. I was able to try out my little bit of Jiddish I know and was able to make them feel welcome.
Aug 14Tuesday today and the week's schedule has been changed again. We have "lost" three couples to family death's and their subsequent travel needs. It is a blessing that the trek-ers have stopped and just daily visitors come.
Yesterday we served at the homestead. Bernice with her brochure inventory and me with irrigation systems. There is always something that needs top be brought up to date.
The smoke from the fires out west is coming to us now. Those who have some athma do have breathing problems for most of the day. When the wind comes up a little during the day it clears the air some, but not enough for some missionaries here.
Today we were at Martin's Cove and not one soul came to see us. I have to admit that the sun and the quiet did me in. I dozed for about an hour and then the no-seeams got too busy. I also climbed the sandhill in the Cove I call "Pres. Hinckley" hill. There is a small cairn on top and someone was real energetic to haul all the stones up there. There was also a very nice Antelope Buck giving me the evil eye. He probably thought that he was King of the Hill. He snorted and stomped his feet and came real close to me. Being alone up there without any protection gave me thoughts of retreat; which I did.
The spirit of the pioneers is still with us. This morning at Prayer meeting it was my turn to have a scripture. I selected D&C 101, v 76. The spirit of 1776, I am 76 and I selected to read starting v 76.
I have ordered me a Romney/Ryan bumper sticker. It will go on the back window and not on the bumper.
Have a great day, Shalom.
Aug 16Today is Nancy and Chad's 26th wedding anniversary. As always they have a full days activities planned.
It must be getting close to Christmas because the Idaho Falls tree club has a meeting already.
Yesterday morning we saw our first two wolves as they ran across the prairie to their mountain home. We had heard some howling noises the past few nights and now we know why. They were beautiful specimens with their full tails streight back as they ran. It seemed as tho the antelopes paid no attention to them.
Today was the last day of trek groups. This one was a scout troop with fifteen planned attendees. We counted only nine as we attended them. Six members of the troop bowed out before their departure for Martin's Cove. It was a great group of yooung men and a joy to work with them today.
Next was a German family which spoke very good English and wanted to hear lots of stories about the pioneers who came on the trail and their faith promoting experiences. We had to shuttle a lot of missionaries around because we are running short as we get towards the end of the "open" season.
This next week will be busy with preparations for Sun Ranch Days and all the visitors we expect. A hundredfifty pounds of beel loin has been cut up into stew meat and one of the missionaries is in charge of making this great stew to be enjoyed by all.
Today also was the last day of the excursion into the hills for fence poles. The plan was to get fourhundred plus poles to replace broken fences. The goal was met this afternoon and hamburgers were the treat for the hard working lumberjacks.
The weather has cooled dramatically. We expected frost this morning, and it came very close to being just that. Most of the Sisters wore a coat of some kind this morning.
Well, the Gospel is still true. We have our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who receives revelation for the Church. It is getting close to celebrate his eightyfifth birthday and the Conference Center will be filled for that event. He is a good man to be our Prophet.
Tomorrow is preparation day, that means a trip to Casper.  We have thought of visiting one of the pioneer museums around the area; we'll see.