Martin's Cove Site

Sep 10
This week we had frost for the first time since last spring. The temperature went down to 29F and the waterline to the motorhome got a little slushy. I started working on two pitcher pumps, replacing the down pipes and repairing the lift rod. Since I don't have a 25ft boom here, we had to lift the pumps and pipes with a backhoe which was OK but certainly a little backward.
Bernice had a lot of inventorying to do, bringing all the first aid stations up to date, practicing her violin for all the activities she would be involved in.
Tuesday we went to Rocky Ridge for a long climb and hike. We started at the lower monument where missionaries from Sixth Crossing gave a wonderful narrative of the Willie Rescue of 1856. We then started our hike which was only a five-plus mile? round trip. Some pulled handcarts with water jugs and knapsacks in them, while others just walked and visited. The rockhounds in the group could not help but bend over here and there for a looksee of a pebble or two, some even carried some of the mountain with them. On the Rocky Ridge we had our lunch and then a small program followed with continued stories of the rescue orchestrated by Brigham Young to "Go and Bring them In".
Wednesday was our Prep. Day and as always a trip to Casper and shopping for the next week. We had lunch with another couple, the Riding's from Logan,Utah, at a Chinese Buffet. We didn't know it, but they treated us to lunch. What a nice thing to do, now we owe them. That evening we drove the Sixth Crossing and had a fireside with Scott Lorimer covering the Willie Handcart company in detail. It was a wonderful and another full day.
Friday morning the Trek leaders started rolling in, setting up their tents and by 11:00 AM the training started. As part of the program Bernice played Church Hymns (Come,Come Ye Saints; I Need Thee Every Hour; I Know that My Redeemer Lives) at the entrance to Dan W. Jones Cove as the leaders filed past her into the cove. I held the umbrella to keep the sun off Bernice and the violin. We did that twice since we split the leaders into two groups.
At the dinner (6:00 PM) in the barn the "band" played and Bernice had a big part in that. At the close she was asked to play Millionair Holliday to a rousing applause. After dinner we had square dancing outside the barn. Square dancing was one of the pioneer highlights of the day since it relaxed the muscles after a long day of walking, pushing and pulling their handcarts.
Saturday morning breakfast at the barn started at 7:00 AM and then we settled in for more training until lunch at 1:45PM. All during this training we mingled with the leaders to answer questions or just visit about their home units and their plans for next year's trek. The training was well received and covered ALL aspects of trek-ing at Martin's Cove and the Willie Site, from snake warnings to dehydration, to camping, care of the handcarts, following BLM rules, preparing the young people in their home units for a perfect trek experience. Most units will have their young ones trek for a pioneer of the Martin or Willie companies. Some will be carrying a doll to represent their pioneer person. That also includes adults who walk for an ancestor pioneer.
The temperature moderated again with the ever present winds from the west.
Evening:
Don, Nola, Carol and Lynn are here. They arrived about 3:15 PM after they stopped in Rawlins for lunch. Just after they got here we had a tremendous rain shower and wind. The wind opened the rear ceiling vent and some water came in through the screen, the floor got a little wet, but not too much.
At 7:30 PM we had our home evening and it was a riot this time. About six couples had a skit about obedience and listening to instructions. After that we had to follow instructions a little bit at a time to finish a predetermend course. All this was followed by some cookies and no milk.
I checked out three more wells, determined the depth and static water levels. There is so much to do yet and the time is running down. Bernice worked on her knitting. She is trying to finish a baby afgan for the humanitarian center. It is very time consuming and especially when she makes a mistake and has to undo several rows.
We have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon in the next onehundred days. Time to go and read a few chapters.
Sep 12
Yesterday was a full day with visiting the Cove, telling stories of pioneer faith, obedience and enduring to the end, as we traveled the trails in the directors Kawasaki Mule. We had lunch at Handcart Parking and then Don, Nola and Bernice walked to the Cove (2.3 miles) and I (Fred) drove Carol and Lynn to the overlook monument. On the way we stopped at the Statues and I told the Statue story there. When we got to the monument Carol decided she was going to walk the back way to the cove. As she was leaving another rover came with three ladies who also wanted to walk the back trail. As it happened they were DUP's (Daughters of Utah Pioneers) and Carol had a great time walking with them.
One of the ladies was the author of the Relief Society lesson which Carol was to teach this coming Sunday in her home ward. The three ladies came to the Cove on their way to Lander for a DUP convention. Barbara and the third lady had been on a cruise with Don and Nola a couple of years ago. My, how small the world is when you are a member of the Restored Gospel and Church.
Just as we were coming to a close of our trip around Martin's Cove the sky darkened, the winds came increased in strength and some rain fell. It was enough to wet the ground and keep the dust down.
When we got home to Ranch 66 I found that the wind had knocked my antenna down and I needed that for the QSO (HAM appointment) I had with the pilot of a B-1 Bomber from Ellsworth AFB on 14,250 MHZ. I don't know what happened to the Bomber because he never showed up on frequency. However, I was able to make contact with KL7MVX (Alaska) and then with KD4FNI in Ozark, Alabama. Just as I was going to shut down Julio, KB2SDN, from New Jersey wanted to QSL and he told me his life story. We chatted for a while, exchanged information, said 73's and called it a night.
Today I have to find a pump which I will need to check the flow of two wells. It is not easy to do a job when the pieces or tools are not readily available.
Talked to Joe and Mike yesterday. Mike is trying to have his orders to Huachuka cancelled and Joe is in Tacoma doing what Inspector Generals do. He will be going home on Thursday.
Gotta run, wash needs to be checked.
Sep 15
Trek Leaders have been coming from all over the western states for their planning and information sessions required for stakes, wards and branches to participate in any trek-ing in 2013. It has been a rough two days, but all leaders are now on their way home with envelopes full of requirements and suggestions, and helpful hints.
I am in the process of test pumping two wells for a proposed future project. Lately I have been doing what I thought I had been called to do here in the first place. Repairing pumps, checking wells and doing everything that has to do with clean water. I still have not had the opportunity to check well tanks for reliability, but I have been training, in a small way, those missionaries who will stay here over the winter (called Polar Bears).
I believe that to be a correct name. The temps have been going down to the upper twenties during the nights, but reach into the 80's by afternoon under 40% clouded skys. Very little rain has fallen and when it does, Katie bar the door, it comes with buckets for about ten minutes and usually sideways. Mostly enough to wet down the cars and then the blowing sand will make sure that our vehicles look like we never wash them.
We have one more weekend, Friday/Saturday, of trek leader training and then we will be starting our shutdown programs. The second year missionaries will be leaving here the end of September and the first year missionaries on the 11th of October, or sooner if the weather threatens winter conditions for homeward travel. The first year missionaries came two weeks early this spring to get Martin's Cove set-up for the new missionaries.
We had Cameron and his wife come here for trek training. They are from Alpine, Utah and spend their summers/Christmas in Bigfork. Their daughter brings her Harp and we enjoy her talents during Sacrament meeting. It was good to see them, their smiling faces and enthusiasm for next years trek from Alpine, Utah.