Martin's Cove Site

Aug 28 What a full week this was once again. The preparation for the Sun Ranch Day took up all of our energy. There were tents to be set up, picnic tables, restrooms checked once again, corn husks and cloth for doll makings, games for children, arts and crafts for children ( adults enjoyed those activities as did the children), parking lot directions, thirtytwo dutch ovens for stew and peach cobbler, four five ft. griddles for fry bread, tables and chairs in the "barn" so visitors could eat their dinner. Public address systems for country singers, small guitar band with Bernice's violin, horses and their riders to demonstrate the times of the "Pony Express". The children loved the horses and especially when they gave rides around the ranch. We learned that the Pony Express riders carried their mail in a "Mochila" which fit over the saddle, hung down on each side, and the young man sat on the center section which was somewhat smooth with the saddle. Each Mochila had four mail pockets.
One of the stories told is of a rider who "lost" his Mochila and after several days the wind blew the content over most of the Wyoming Highlands. The Indians had found the Mochila and did not know what it was and just scattered the mail for the wind to pick up.
Another story told is of a relay station where no rider was available when the tired rider rode in. The station master told that his son could take the mail since he knew the route and was available right then. The young man carried the mail for several month before the supervisors found out that he was only eleven years old. The requirements for a Pony Express rider were:
Quote:
"The choosing of riders was of the u(p) most importance. The success or failure of the operation depended primarily on the rider. They had to be young, good with horses, accustomed to being outdoors, and to be able to endure hardships. Eligibility required a good moral character. Upon being employed, each rider was required to sign Major's oath, and was given a bible." Ref: Pony Express 150th Anniversary Year, pg.10
Unquote.
Most riders covered 75 miles each day.
The Sun Ranch Day was a success even though we are having stew for several days. We had prepared for onethousand visitors and counted almost sixhundred at the end of day. That left a lot of stew and fry bread uneaten, and peach cobbler.
One of the highlights was that two Amateur Radio Operators received permission to have a "Special Event Call sign, K7A" for the day. The first CQ call went out on 40 meters early in the day and was answered within few minutes. For long distances we used 20 and 15 meters, and the first CQ call was answered at 09:25 from Madison, WI. One return was from Hawaii and on the other end, Nova Scotia.
The call went like this:
CQ,CQ,CQ Special Event Station K7A from the Sun Ranch at Muddy Gap, Wyoming. After the CQ was answered we would tell that the Sun Ranch was established 140 years ago. That Martin's Cove was located here and as missionaries of the LDS Church we tell of the handcart pioneers and their history as it happened in the winter of 1856. We tell that the California, Oregon, Mormon Trail and Express Rider trail come right through the Sun Ranch and is now a national monument. We also told them that it was sad that they could not be here for the dinner. Almost all wanted a QSL card which I designed and which despicted pictures of the ranch, Wyoming, and the black handcart silhouette. Everyone who contacted us was encouraging for number of contacts, and letting us know that we are doing a great work to protect the history of Wyoming. All were invited to come and visit Martin's Cove. Quite a few replied that it would be a future vacation destination. At the end of day, 18:25 hrs., we had a total of 102 contacts who heard the story of Martin's Cove and the Sun Ranch. The last contact was from Quincy, Illinois whose ancestors were involved in providing refuge to the Saints when they had to leave Missouri. We thanked him for the friendship shown those early Saints.
QSL cards are now being prepared for mailing. One QSL card arrived today from Springfield, Utah.
Monday was a day for returning the Ranch and MHHS back to a pre-celebration visitor center standard.
Tuesday I received some help from a fellow missionary to remove and replace the water pump on the water truck. After several hours the job was completed and the truck is ready for whatever water needs there are on the property.
Tuesday evening we were blessed with a fireside by the "Pay Sisters." They told of their ancestors faith, obedience and endurance as they crossed the plains pushing and pulling handcarts during the latter part of 1856. These are the sisters of the late Marjory Pay Hinckley who is the Eternal companion of our late Prophet, and President Gordon B. Hinckley. Sister Bernice Gloschat was asked if she would play a violin solo which she did to a rousing applause.
Aug 29Today we are serving at the Veil Crossing Bridge. The wind has rocked our motorhome for most of the night. The nights have started to be cool and no A/C is needed. At night the sky is filled with the brilliance of a gazillian stars, the sky is clear for a majority of days/nights and as far as one can see the wonders of God are evident.
This Friday, 31st, after our shift we will leave for South Dakota and overnight at Ellsworth AFB before visiting Mount Rushmore. We will return on Saturday to prepare for the Sabbath.
We changed shifts with a couple from California, Anaheim Honda Dealer, who wanted leave Thursday afternoon for a two day trip. Since we had the morning shift they asked if we would take their afternoon shift and they would take our morning shift. It was fine with us and now we are going back to the Veil Crossing bridge Thursday afternoon.
There was not much traffic today at our bridge, but we had a delightful young couple with four children who were moving from a small town in Oregon to Pueblo, Colorado and a new job. They were so intent while we told the story of the bridge and Eliza Neibauer. We told the story in a way that the young children would not loose interest. It was a highlight of the day. One more couple came by who were in advanced years and they knew most of what we were sharing with them which made our part kind of superfluous.
No snakes today, no Antelope at our post, not even the little rabbit came by. During these times we get a lot of reading done and crocheting. I was filling out the cards which are to be sent to our Special Event contacts.
With the temperature in the upper ranges of "HOT", everyone's A/C is running which tends to trip the breakers in one of the main panels. And then some travelers move in for the night and they run theirs as well. That causes the wash house back-up and we all get behind in our wash house schedule. Life is tough!