Martin's Cove Site

Aug 3Our performance at the Battlecreek Camp area went very well. When we arrived at their camp, dinner was still going strong. We were right on time and so we would not have to stand around we accepted their invitation to have dinner with them. A large piece of chicken, baked beans, salad, buns, and another square of mint brownie. It was the same ward who offered us a brownie in the afternoon while we were cleaning restrooms.
As we were leaving the camp after our presentation, the cook asked if we wanted to take some ice cream home with us. He ran out of dry ice and couldn't keep the ice cream till the next day. We accepted and he gave us several large boxes of orange drum sticks and ice cream sandwiches. They are in the freezer and we will use them for our home evening in a couple of weeks.
The wind which normally comes from the west has shifted to the east and that makes the fire smoke cover Martin's Cove and the Missionary Village. Visibility is very poor and we don't know how long these fires will go on. Many thousand acres have gone up in smoke.
Our shopping trip to Casper went well today and we even returned to our "box" in a reasonable time. Another gift came to our door step. This time it was a hand towel with "Faith in Every Footstep" on it and a lovely hand written card. That is a very nice, handsome gift. Yesterday we received four coasters with Martin's Cove photographs despicted. They are so nice, we would not want to use them.
Our rabbit has found himself a home right under our motorhome. He/she is not bothered by our walking past, he/she just watches with big eyes.
Aug 4What a full day this was. We left early, 8:15 AM, for the Pathfinder Ranch among several missionary vehicles heading the same direction. We stopped off at the mailbox along the way to send off two birthday cards to the Dan/Heidi Gloschat twins in Vancouver, WA. The weather was ideal with the temperature hovering in the 50's and a clear sky. For once we did not have any gails blowing; maybe we are just getting used to the eternal Wyoming winds.
The invitations to the Ranch were as follows: 8:00 - 9:30 AM one group of missionaries, 11:30- 2:00 PM the second group and the third group, which are the second year missionaries, came from 6:00 until the finish. The menu was typical ranch style. A very good breakfast, lunch was roast beef, and dinner would be rib-eye steaks. The caterers had two BBQ's and each would hold 120 ranch size steaks.
We were checked into the Ranch by a welcome guard where we signed a paper relieving them of any possible injuries which may befall us while looking at a cow, riding a cow, watching the rodeo, or even riding a horse, maybe just eating breakfast. The large covered pavillion was decorated so nicely with table cloth, flower pots and US flags. The food for this event was catered by a company out of Casper and it was very professional. We were served various Ocean Spray juices (many other drinks were available), sausage with egg and cheese on a sesame seed bun, a breakfast burrito, biscuits and gravy, a mini muffin, a choice of apple, banana or orange fruit. It was a good breakfast and the cowboy company added to the atmosphere. A photographer was busy taking pictures by the hundreds and he had all the missionaries line up for a group photo. We had such fun. We hope to get a copy of that picture.
At 10:00 AM the rodeo competitions started with a flag ceremony, a rider carrying the flag of the United States around the arena, and our very talented young lady singing the "Star Spangled Banner. All of arose and there were very few dry eyes. Isn't it wonderful to have a flag and a National Anthem to be proud of? Yes, it is. Pastor Rusty Weaver, country church, gave the invocation asking that all riders would be safe from injury and that all could enjoy the beautiful day, and giving thanks for the great country we all live in. The pastor was also one of the cowboys who tried to cut the ribbon from the tail of the calves. He came close, but no cigar. Sunday morning at 10:00 AM he is holding "Cowboy Church on the Range" in the ranch's very own chapel. All are welcome!
The first action was a ribbon cutting event where the cowboy tries to lasso the calf after it comes out of the shute and a youngster has to take the ribbon off the calf's tail after it is held down by another youth. The calves were pretty good at letting the lasso slide off their backs. The best time was 17.75 seconds by a young boy no older than five or six, and the slowest was 47.9 seconds. Some missionaries watched from the fence rail, with other sitting in the bleachers. There was a huge vocal amount of support coming from all sides.
There was also a raffle going on and one could buy five tickets for $ 20.00. The money went for a good cause. A beautiful saddle, $6000.00 worth, a Winchester rifle, two revolvers, and $ 1000.00 & $ 500.00 shopping spree at Lou Taubert's sporting goods store in Casper. One of the missionary couples here won the $ 500.00 shopping spree. There were free T-shirts and red neckerchiefs with the ranch's logo.
About a quarter to eleven we had to leave in order to start our shift at Martin's Cove by 11:30 AM. Today we were assigned the Veil Crossing Bridge and as we got there one of the Rexburg Stakes, devided into three groups, came by to hear the story of the bridge and Ellen Neibauer.
I got to relate the stories several times to those groups and then several families came by to hear stories as well.
We had one member of record baptism this morning in the Sweetwater River and that family came by on their way to Devils Gate for a picnic.
Bernice was called out to help in the visitor center with a family from France. Their English was halting and with Sister Gloschat's French some communication was achieved. There was also lots of hand waving.
One of our other assignments today was cleaning the Barn and the Chapel. Three of us couples did the job in just an hour and now we are ready for the Sabbath. The chapel is used for Church during the winter months when just a few couples are here. During the trek season we have to use the trek center when around 200 attend; there are lots of visitors and that includes family members of Martin's Cove missionaries.
This evening those of us living in loop "C" got together to have some water melon and start our fast.
Aug 5Today our Sacrament meeting was filled to overflowing. We had visitors from all over plus a scout troop from Evanston, Wy. The young men were worthy to bless and pass the Sacrament in our meeting. These were the same young men who came by my Veil Crossing Post on their way to a fishing site in Devils Gate. The boys and their leaders walked all the way through the gate and saw several snakes which got out of their way, smart snakes. They also caught many fish, but not as many as they had hoped for. I mentioned to them that the Pelicans come in and try to clean up the Sweetwater River. That would explain some of the lack of fish in "our" river.
Many wonderful testimonies were born and the Spirit was felt deeply. We also had a baby blessed; Thomas Mark Seely. He is the baby born to Trinity and Jeff Seely sometime in June. He is a very content baby, never uttered a sound during the blessing. His father is unsurprisingly proud of his son and the father's blessing he received bore witness to that. His and her family were present for this occasion.
Today the visitor center was tremendously busy. Many individuals and families came to find out more about Martin's Cove. One family just stopped by because the sign said "National Historic Site". After walking through the center she, the mother, wanted to know more because she remembered that someone in her history came across the Oregon/California/Mormon/Express Trail. We have so many comments in the sign-in sheet which give their thanks for a great experience. There are also some detractor comments, but all who come here do so by their own free will and choice. It is a good mission to serve.
The evening was topped off with cold water melon, cantelope and gooey checker mix. A nice cold Ginger Ale topped it all off. Good night!!!!!!!