Entrance Gate to Martin's Cove Site

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Sep 24The final week of trek training has gone by the wayside. Over 200 had been scheduled to come, but only 178 came. One unit did not show up at all. Mostly the units schedule six or seven and then only half of those come to the training.
The well test pumped very nicely. At first I pumped lots of sand which is normal for a well that has been in slow operation, pitcher pump, which causes sand to accumulate at the bottom. After a few minutes the water cleared up and setting the pump at 85 feet the water drew down to 26.2ft and stayed there while the well delivered 30 gpm. The water is delicious.
Then I had to repair another hydrant that had a rusted out liftrod, and an irrigation valve at the homestead. This weekend I found another hydrant which seems to have a bad liftrod as well. I will find out this morning after our prayer meeting.
During this week our refrigerator went south. The cooling unit rusted thru and all the amonia and hydrogen escaped. Going on the internet, while I could, I found a manufacturer in Arkansa who had a unit for our Norcold in stock. Hopefully the mail or UPS does not take too long to get it here.
Also this week we got a call from Jim E. with the tale of three bears breaking down our apple trees on the home front. This has not been a good week for good news. Well, I guess, that finding a cooling unit was alright. All of our fridge stuff has been doled out among other missionaries and the pavilion freezer. We are doing without a fridge right now. I have never R and R'd a cooling unit before, but I will learn; I have no other choice.
Last Friday Bernice played for the trek-ers at the entrance of Dan W. Jones Cove. My part was to hold the umbrella for shade on the instrument and B. She also worked in the Humanitarian Center and onSaturday we had bathroom cleanup so that our trek-ers had clean bathrooms. B finished a baby blanket and made very nice placemats from left over cloth, too small for anything else.
The second year missionaries are leaving this week and we have two weeks left after that. Tonight we have HE at the Willie Site and Bernice is playing her violin for that. It is a long way to go for a HE, but they have to travel here every weekend and then some.
I have repented of my anger with the Lord for not watching my fruit trees better. I know that bears like apples, but they don'r have to break down the trees.
Also I ordered 3 chords of firewood for the "farm" from Lonnie Doige, 406-837-0547. I sent the check by way of Jim and it never got there before he left for Seattle and Oregon. We tried to intercept the letter and hopefully Jim got it arranged so our mail lady could drop it off at Doige's.
My right eye has something in it that I can't get out. May have to go and see one of those eye doctors this week.
Today we will repair another hydrant and then try to move our well pumping rig to another well.
Yesterday was our last Sunday with all the missionaries at the trek center. From now for the next two Sundays we will meet in the chapel and will have enough room. This coming Wednesday, the 26th, we will have our farewell dinner and lolts of tears will surely flow. After these six month or more, we have made friendships and they will be hard to leave behind.
Sep 28Our Monday H.E. was held at the Willie Site. For three hours we listened to missionary talents including a serious piece by Sister B. Gloschat. Half way through we had refreshments of all kinds including sausages in a neat sauce, lots of different types of cookies, and the ever present water. The Turek's came with us and that gave us a better evening. It was an evening of fun and travel.
On Tuesday worked in the humanitarian center and I worked to help Elder Ralph Ohm on the new sewer system. Wednesday was our P-day and it was the day to see the dentist and Ophtamologist. The dentist removed the roots of my left molar and scraped what little infection there was. The Eye doctor found a small amount of cataract in my right eye and that the viscous fluid was separating cleanly from a small part of the retina. Watch it! Not a concern yet.
Worked on pumping another well after removing the pitcher pump and down pipes. This well does not seem to be as strong as number #1, but the flow after pumping the collected sand out will be sufficient for whatever will be needed at the Cherry Creek Campground. We will continue to make a record of this well. One well, number # 4 has filled in with sand and I will try to pump the sand out to make a productive water source.
Last evening we decided to move our M.H. to a different spot after I took down the antenna. We moved next to trailer number eight and since we are sharing the fridge with them we are now closer. Have not heard from the company in Arkansas when they shipped our replacement cooling pipes for the Norcold fridge.
Time to get ready for work--------.
Sep 24The final week of trek training has gone by the wayside. Over 200 had been scheduled to come, but only 178 came. One unit did not show up at all. Mostly the units schedule six or seven and then only half of those come to the training.
The well test pumped very nicely. At first I pumped lots of sand which is normal for a well that has been in slow operation, pitcher pump, which causes sand to accumulate at the bottom. After a few minutes the water cleared up and setting the pump at 85 feet the water drew down to 26.2ft and stayed there while the well delivered 30 gpm. The water is delicious.
Then I had to repair another hydrant that had a rusted out liftrod, and an irrigation valve at the homestead. This weekend I found another hydrant which seems to have a bad liftrod as well. I will find out this morning after our prayer meeting.
During this week our refrigerator went south. The cooling unit rusted thru and all the amonia and hydrogen escaped. Going on the internet, while I could, I found a manufacturer in Arkansa who had a unit for our Norcold in stock. Hopefully the mail or UPS does not take too long to get it here.
Also this week we got a call from Jim E. with the tale of three bears breaking down our apple trees on the home front. This has not been a good week for good news. Well, I guess, that finding a cooling unit was alright. All of our fridge stuff has been doled out among other missionaries and the pavilion freezer. We are doing without a fridge right now. I have never R and R'd a cooling unit before, but I will learn; I have no other choice.
Last Friday Bernice played for the trek-ers at the entrance of Dan W. Jones Cove. My part was to hold the umbrella for shade on the instrument and B. She also worked in the Humanitarian Center and onSaturday we had bathroom cleanup so that our trek-ers had clean bathrooms. B finished a baby blanket and made very nice placemats from left over cloth, too small for anything else.
The second year missionaries are leaving this week and we have two weeks left after that. Tonight we have HE at the Willie Site and Bernice is playing her violin for that. It is a long way to go for a HE, but they have to travel here every weekend and then some.
I have repented of my anger with the Lord for not watching my fruit trees better. I know that bears like apples, but they don'r have to break down the trees.
Also I ordered 3 chords of firewood for the "farm" from Lonnie Doige, 406-837-0547. I sent the check by way of Jim and it never got there before he left for Seattle and Oregon. We tried to intercept the letter and hopefully Jim got it arranged so our mail lady could drop it off at Doige's.
My right eye has something in it that I can't get out. May have to go and see one of those eye doctors this week.
Today we will repair another hydrant and then try to move our well pumping rig to another well.
Yesterday was our last Sunday with all the missionaries at the trek center. From now for the next two Sundays we will meet in the chapel and will have enough room. This coming Wednesday, the 26th, we will have our farewell dinner and lolts of tears will surely flow. After these six month or more, we have made friendships and they will be hard to leave behind.
Sep 28Our Monday H.E. was held at the Willie Site. For three hours we listened to missionary talents including a serious piece by Sister B. Gloschat. Half way through we had refreshments of all kinds including sausages in a neat sauce, lots of different types of cookies, and the ever present water. The Turek's came with us and that gave us a better evening. It was an evening of fun and travel.
On Tuesday worked in the humanitarian center and I worked to help Elder Ralph Ohm on the new sewer system. Wednesday was our P-day and it was the day to see the dentist and Ophtamologist. The dentist removed the roots of my left molar and scraped what little infection there was. The Eye doctor found a small amount of cataract in my right eye and that the viscous fluid was separating cleanly from a small part of the retina. Watch it! Not a concern yet.
Worked on pumping another well after removing the pitcher pump and down pipes. This well does not seem to be as strong as number #1, but the flow after pumping the collected sand out will be sufficient for whatever will be needed at the Cherry Creek Campground. We will continue to make a record of this well. One well, number # 4 has filled in with sand and I will try to pump the sand out to make a productive water source.
Last evening we decided to move our M.H. to a different spot after I took down the antenna. We moved next to trailer number eight and since we are sharing the fridge with them we are now closer. Have not heard from the company in Arkansas when they shipped our replacement cooling pipes for the Norcold fridge.
Time to get ready for work--------.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

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.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Aug 31Today we are on Work Crew and I am finishing up the water truck and making some welding/press helps. After we are done with that we will be on our way to Mt. Rushmore.
We left about 11:30 AM to make a stop in Casper for lunch. We were relying on our Tom-Tom to find us the shortest route and we got to Rapid City, SD in about 5.5 hours. Our accomodations at Ellsworth AFB were very nice and our sleep was very restful and quiet. I tried out the barber shop at the Base Exchange because I was feeling like a mountain man and the barberette took off quite a bit of my locks. It must have been not too much because no-one at Church this morning made any remarks about having received a haircut.
We checked out of the hotel and made our way to see Mt Rushmore. There seemed to be an awful lot of people there. Parking at the site is $11.00 and that is under cover. There are no other charges to see the presidents. Mr. Borglum did an outstanding job and the faces should stay there until nature takes over and the rock wears away.
From there we went to see how the Crazy Horse statue is coming. The head seems to be completed, but there is yet much to do before that can be called finished.
Then our Tom-Tom took us through Custer and finally back through Casper and home to Muddy Gap. We arrived back here 9:45 PM and sleep sounded so good. Our motorhome felt like home. This is the first of September.
Sep 2, 2012We had a full house during our three hour block meetings. Lot of visitors for the three day holiday. Our Fast and Testimony meeting went way over time, but that is alright because this is the last time for our second year missionaries. They will be leaving in three weeks for their home and some of them will return in October to spend the winter here. They are called Polar Bears.
Tomorrow we will start our preparation to train Trek Leaders for next year. That will start this coming Friday. Stake and Wards will send their leaders here for a weekend of training and then they will prepare the Trek-ers in their units for next year.
Today was a beautiful cool day. The nights are starting to be cool and the morning cool air is so refreshing.