Split Shifts

One of our beautiful sunsets we enjoy in the evening

This week was the first week of scheduled split shifts due to the longer summer hours. One shift works from 7:30 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m. and the other works from 1:00 p.m. to around 7:00 p.m. The missionaries were divided into two teams and each team will alternate working morning one week and then afternoon the next week. We are on Team B and had afternoon duty this week except for my office duty days which I work in the morning on Monday and all day until 5 on Thursday. The blessing of this type of schedule is we have half days which we can do laundry, clean the house, and other small things around the camper and some valued down time.

Okay, so I thought our days would slow down and not be such marathon events. It somehow slipped my mind that we are here also because of the thousands of youth trekkers whom come to experience the pioneer trail. Our first group of 284 from Cody arrived on Thursday morning and then two more groups of around 50 each arrived in the afternoon. The big group spent the day pulling handcarts along our six mile trail and then departed in the evening while the two littler groups pulled handcarts to their campground six miles away to spend the next two days trekking along the trail. Each group begins their trek with an orientation which Randy had the opportunity to do for a group Thursday afternoon. Then, we as missionaries stay at certain posts during their trek to share stories with them and to give them certain experiences like a river crossing and the men’s callout/women’s pull. To end their days, we either do square dancing with them or reader’s theater with Ephraim Hanks and Thisbe Reed. Thursday night we had our first big square dance event and what a blast it was. I was able to help a group of 20 youth learn the dances and Randy was pleased to dance with a young girl from a family trek that was about 10. She was so cute and so were her sisters. So, our days are now starting with prayer meeting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. with dancing and a whole lot of activity in between with visitors and trekkers.

This week our posts were at Martin’s Cove, the Visitior’s Center and the Welcome Post. It is so surreal to have duty at Martin’s Cove and to be up there in the beautiful scenery and just reflect on why we are here. While we were on post, a family group of about 20 came up. They walked the trail along the cove which is quite an adventure in itself but to top it off they pulled their grandma and grandpa in rickshaws as they were unable to walk the entire way. We were able to share all the pioneer stories we learned for that post with the family and they were so interested in them. It was a great first post assignment. While we were there we had the company of a snake, baby rabbit, chipmunk and lots of birds. Nature at its best.


Randy watching for visitors

More of a perspective of how high up he really was

When we were at the cove, the ranch hand’s wife and two children, her parents and sister with her six children (ranging from 1 to 10) came up. It was great to see her as she just moved here this past week. The ranch hand just started the job earlier this spring so they are new to the area. (Oh, have I mentioned in any of my writings that this is also a working ranch with 1200 cattle.) Randy was with another couple so I started sharing with this family. Well, it was fruitless as the children were just pinging off everything. The boys were climbing the rocks up the mountain and the girls were walking the rails around the seating area, oh and the baby, was trying to go down the steps after just walking for less than a month. I was a nervous wreck and tried to do my best to explain this was a reverent place and should be treated with respect. The grandma was trying to calm them down along with ask questions as she was thrilled to be there. It was quite chaotic. Well, then when we were at the visitor’s center on Tuesday, guess who came to visit and it was yours truly time to meet the next visitors. Inside my head, I kept saying that I needed to rush this through and get them well on their way especially for my own sanity. But then in my heart, I was impressed to do something which became the coolest experience of the week. I gathered the entire family on a grassy spot near the handcarts and then asked them to pretend with me. So, we pretended we were a family from England that had heard the gospel and wanted to follow the prophet and go to Zion with all the Saints. I shared with them all the events of preparing to go from selling all our personal belongings (even had them name something it would hurt them to sell), to getting to the ship, riding on the ship and getting sick, then getting on the rail cars and being crowded so had them squeeze closer together, to finally getting to where our handcarts were. Oh, but we had to wait for them to be built, so the ladies and girls had to sew tents and the men and boys had to build the cart. Then we were able to start off and I had them get three carts and we walked thru Prairie Park, a small trail that has bronze reliefs in it telling the story of the Martin Company. As we were going thru Prairie Park, we were still our family trying to make it thru the bad weather, little food, our clothes wearing out and I would tell them about a lady in our company that lost her husband because of illness, about being scared to cross the river and getting help, about losing one of the boys as he got to playing too far from the trail. All eight children were totaling intent on what was happening and I feel really gained a great experience from presenting the history like this. Grandma and the mom’s had tears in their eyes watching their children really grasping the significance of it all along with learning themselves. I am so grateful I was an instrument in the Lord’s hands for this family and them for me.

Our day off was Friday this week and we spent the entire day at the camper. After taking it easy for an entire day, the next morning we went for a small walk, worked in our little 10’ x 12’ yard by fertilizing, cutting and watering it. We also moved some rocks which were a tripping hazard. Saturday afternoon we were welcome post attendees greeting all the cars as they came into the site. It was really slow with only about six vehicles but I was able to get some office work completed as I took our computer with us to the post.

Our little friend at Martin's Cove

Our bigger friend at the Visitor Center

Climbing to Higher Places

I know this update is a little late. This past weekend just seemed to fly past me. In fact, I think it got caught up in this prevalent wind and blew straight to Nebraska. Plus, I was physically drained (which you will understand in just a few) and took a good Sunday nap. Every Monday and Thursday, I will be working in the office and Randy will be on work crew. This has been quite challenging for me as there is so much I want to do to help organize all that happens in the office and two days a week just won’t be enough. I like to tackle a project and stick to it until it is done; not so sure it will happen in this case.

Randy was called upon for his electrical skills again this week. A couple of the missionaries were using the small backhoe to dig up a clogged pipe and ripped a major electrical line in half. Then a few days later someone else was using the backhoe again and did almost the same thing in a different location. I think it is time to check for the backhoe driver’s licenses. So, grateful I have such a knowledgeable husband who can help out at times like this and get things up and running again in just a short time.


Randy teaching Elder Swope how to fix electrical lines that have been sliced.

Tuesday we were scheduled for the visitor’s center where our responsibility is to welcome the visitors and be their guide around the homestead. We were able to become acquainted with a future Ma and Pa that will be accompanying a trek youth group in June. They were traveling through from a visit in Texas and wanted to get a visual of the area. The highlight of our day was getting to know a pair of elderly sisters which were descendants from three families in the Willie Company. What a delightful time we had with them. In the visitor’s center, we have a display which lists all the names of the company and it was so special to watch these sisters point to the names and tell us stories about their ancestors. They shared a story of how their great great grandmother had a hand woven sheet from Denmark with her when she was coming across the plains (her prized possession) and when the 13 died in Rock Creek Hollow after crossing Rocky Ridge, she used her sheet to cover the bodies when they were buried. And one of them buried was the 10 year old son of their great great grandfather thru another line. It really emphasized how the links of life are so inter-connected. When we took them to the cove, we all just stood there and wept as we talked about how much suffering yet strength was displayed by the strong handcart pioneers of the two companies.

Wednesday was our day off and we decided to make a real quick trip into Casper to get a few groceries and return some items before our evening activities. To our surprise, we ran into Sylvia and Patrick, our daughter and grandson, at Walmart. For most of you, it is common to be shopping and run into one of your relatives but for us, this just isn’t the case as we have never lived in the same town as family. It was the coolest experience and placed a big smile on my face for several hours.

Friday was another marathon adventure day for the missionaries. The weather was finally clear enough for us to travel to Rocky Ridge (about an hour and half from here) and Rock Creek Hollow (yet another two hours from there). Rocky Ridge is the highest point of the four trails (California, Oregon, Pony Express and Mormon) with a 700 ft elevation gain in about two miles. All I can say is it was upward. There are no vehicles allowed on this part of the historic trails so we walked it. We took two handcarts as there were some young family members who joined us and the leaders were not so sure they could make it all the way. It was a very cold and VERY windy day. We bucked a strong headwind the whole way up. The carts were suppose to allow everyone the opportunity to pull them but the trail was tough enough for our older missionary friends so two other younger couples along with Randy and I ended up pulling them half way up and all the way back and yes, they had children in them. Coming down we had a young girl about 15 which had just gotten out of a leg cast on Wednesday and was now in a walking boot. By the time we got to the top we could understand why it is called Rocky Ridge. The trail was solid layered rock and very rough to pull the carts over. It definitely gave us an appreciation of what the Willie Company went through and we had a lot more comforts of life (like coats, good hiking boots, food, strong bodies, etc) then they did. Once we reached the top, an Elder played “Come, Come Ye Saints” on his harmonica. It was heart touching and then we all sang the last verse to celebrate our success. This adventure did me in physically and kept me down a couple days but I am grateful for the experience. After we returned to the vehicles, we then continued to Rock Creek Hollow. It snowed on us as we traveled there. In fact, right at Rock Creek Hollow is still five foot drifts of snow. I think we all would have enjoyed a good snowball fight if we weren’t so tired from the climb and cold from the weather.


The caravan of 23 vehicles traveling along parts of the actual trail on our way to climb Rocky Ridge.

Driving along the Sweetwater River. Notice how much water there is and the snow from the mountains hasn't started melting yet.

All of us starting up the trail. See the vehicles below and we were at least able to park halfway up from the river. Yeah!!

Then I turned around and snapped this picture of Randy at the beginning of the trail.

Sister Turek and me struggling against the wind to pull the cart up the ridge.

Elder Erwin...he is 83 years old and was so tired when we reached the top that he just laid down. We used his walking sticks and made the cross. Of course, I tried to explain to him that we weren't allowed to bury anyone along the trail anymore.

Randy on Rocky Ridge studying the rocks

See the rocky trail? It was this way for about a half mile or more.

Snow drift

Well, not all jobs are fun and games around here. Saturday, Elder Smith and I had the pleasure of restroom assistance duty. Yep, we were glorified sanitary engineers cleaning restrooms, common areas, and collecting trash. My worst housekeeping task is cleaning the toilet and I was blessed with the opportunity to clean 22 toilets which is only half of what there is to do because the others weren’t open for business yet. The schedulers were nice to me and broke me in easy. Again, it was another windy day in Wyoming so we had to chase down the trash we were collecting a time or two. What a sight! I must say though, I have the best partner for my assigned duties.

Saturday evening we were blessed to attend a fireside with Julie Rogers. She paints scenes of the handcart pioneers and other church history. Walking into the trek center that evening was like walking into an art gallery. She brought several of her paintings to display and it instantly brought faces to the stories we have been hearing and studying. Listening to her spiritual experiences during painting a certain picture is so amazing. She loves using descendants of the pioneers as her models which in turn connects the models with their ancestors. She always has red, orange and yellow highlights in the snow she paints with the pioneers and she explained to us that this represents the fire in the hearts of the people to live the gospel and the covenants they had towards the gospel. I will always remember that when I look at her paintings now. It was a calm and refreshing end to a very busy week.

Interviews and Assignments

Not a day went by this week without an exceptional spiritual experience. Monday started off with a bus tour of the trail from Casper to Split Rock. Yep, we got to ride on the big tour buses but Randy and I got the back of the bus. Might have had something to do with my wanting to sing songs and play bus games. We started at Renshaw’s Bridge in Casper, went to the Interpretative Museum which we spent several hours at last year with our grandchildren, Kathryn and Patrick. We then drove past Ft Casper and then took the buses out on the back dirt roads which follow the trail all the way to Independence Rock. We were allowed to walk about a half mile right on the historical trail at Prospect Hill and imagine the number of wagons and handcarts that walked those very places. Several accounts from the pioneers were shared while riding the bus or at the different sites. These stories just make me cry. After Independence Rock, we continued on to Split Rock where the story of Ephraim Hanks was shared as we looked over the area where it occurred. In my mind’s eye, I was able to see the thin black line of handcart pioneers in the snow along the base of the mountains. History is coming to life as I learn and feel more and more.

A landmark for the pioneers. It is called Avenue of Rocks or Devil's Backbone. Can you find the devil?

Walking the historical trail on Prospect Hill.

The next couple of days our assignments consisted of helping with the school groups. Every year about this time most of the fourth grade classes from Rawlins and Casper come to Martin’s Cove for a field trip. This year we had a school group from Loveland, CO so we are getting groups from even further away. There are several of us ladies which are asked to take eight or nine of the children and tour them around. I love this duty because I can be a kid myself again. Randy played Mr. Blacksmith one day for the school groups. He did a great job and kept the groups on their toes by asking them questions.

Ms School Marm with some fun loving girls.

Mr Blacksmith making a prairie ring for his gal.

Last week we had interviews with the director and were asked several questions as to what our interests were and what experience we have. I wanted to be selective as to my information but my husband helped make sure Elder Fenn knew what I excel in. So, the results of the interviews were additional assignments while we are serving. Elder Smith will be conducting orientation to the trek groups that start coming the first of June and Sister Smith is asked to be the personal assistant to the director and his wife. Oh my, of all things, nothing like pressure. So, I will be spending at least two days a week in the office.

It has been discovered that Elder Smith knows about electrical work. He started out by being asked to move a light switch in one of the bathrooms from one wall to another. Not too bad of task but now he is in charge of running the wiring in a new part of the mechanics shop and not just 110 wiring but 220 wiring and through conduit. He has to dig deep in the memory banks of skills to get this project done. He loves every minute of keeping his hands busy on projects though. I am so proud of my jack of all trades!!

We had the opportunity for two great firesides this week. The first was the church education instructors sharing more facts in regard to the history of the Martin Company and Willie Company. They used a missionary with a sign as either different landmarks along the trail, the different companies, and the individual rescue groups. It was like a live timeline while telling the story. So fun and cool!! Our second fireside was with Jolene Allphin, whom wrote “Tell My Story, Too” shared a fireside with us regarding the hope which sustained the pioneers as they crossed and some of the things they had hope in, like; friends, temple covenants, resurrection, family connection and the second coming. It was a very inspiring fireside.

Everything is not always work around here either which makes for a fun and busy week. We have family home evening every Monday night which we were supposed to do last Monday but returned from our field trip too late. Drats…not!! Then we had a big birthday party on Saturday night. What a blast having a party with a bunch of seniors playing birthday games. Our kids would be so embarrassed.

Split Rock, another landmark for the pioneers. This is taken from our camper door.

Training is Over

Another great week has passed. This was our first week of actually doing some of the duties we will be doing for the next six months. It was great to get down to business as most would say.

Monday started with Randy on work crew and I serving in the Humanitarian Center. Randy was able to go up into the actual cove and start painting the railings and benches that are placed there for people to sit and listen to the stories of those who endured those five long days of hard winter… or to just ponder the numerous blessings in their lives today. As for me, I learned to use the embroidery machine and sewed logos onto several work shirts for the missionaries. I only had to pick out (remove the mistakes) two (which was no fun) but my stats on mistakes were pretty good. No, I don’t want an embroidery machine as most of the ladies thought I would after using one.

Tieing Quilts in the Humanitarian Center

Then Tuesday, Randy and I were on work crew together and were able to go back up to the cove to paint some more along with set posts for a hand rail. Now we didn’t do this alone, there were two other couples with us and it was a great day visiting and getting to know each other, oh and, painting.

Randy painting the railings...look out for rattlesnakes!!

Look how much work we did...benches, railings, and ourselves!

I was on parole long enough to paint.

On Wednesday, Randy was in the woodshop and I was involved with the school groups and escorted a group of 10 around the grounds. What a wonderful bunch of 4th graders. It was snowing pretty steady while the school children were here so they didn’t stay long to prevent them from getting too wet and cold. Next week I get two days of escorting school kids around and I am really excited!! I love the children. One young man wanted to know if I had a prairie diamond. He was really concerned that I didn’t. The story of the prairie diamond will be shared in a later email so stayed tuned.

Thursday we were in the visitor’s center with three other couples. I was so looking forward to a gentle day of possibly just sitting and doing some reading. Guess that is what I get for doing the planning, uh?? When assigned to the visitor’s center the day begins with cleaning it up…lots of dusting, cleaning displays, and one additional larger task. Ours was to remove all the dead bodies of multiple bugs from the ceiling lights and clean them. It was okay until I found a big live spider. That’s okay though as I got him with the vacuum cleaner and helped him/her cross the veil into another sphere of life!! Randy and I were able to talk to a couple about the Martin Cove story and show them the visitor center and museum. This couple winters at Lake Havasu and summers in Kalispell (RV). They also have a daughter whom lives in Casper and works at the same bank as my cousin. Such tender mercies to meet up with people and find an instant bond between us.
Part of the light crew hard at work! I was doing the hard part...picture taking!

Friday was another great day of learning. All the first-year missionaries were taken over to the Willie Site (about 45 miles away) to learn more about the events of the James Willie Company. We were able to visit the sixth crossing site and the willows where they hunkered down from the winter storm and see more of the historical trail. It is such a wonderful thing to actually stand in the old trail and imagine what it must have been like. Again, we had the opportunity to do another woman’s pull up a long hill this time but not as steep as the one we did last week. It is amazing how these simple reenactments help each of us really reflect on our blessings and give us strength to continue on for one reason or another. One of the ladies on our cart is serving this mission for her grandson that is fighting cancer. She could hardly pull the cart as she was crying so hard. I am honored to serve beside such charitable women.

The school marm pumping water.

The story of Levi Savage shared by his great great granddaughter. She read from his actual journal...so very cool.

That's me in the middle pulling up yet another hill. Randy says several sisters love being on my cart because I can just tackle those hills. Wish I could do so well with problems life throws me.


Getting ready for Sunday potluck.

Look at that spread for Sunday potluck and that was just one of the two tables.

And they walked, and walked, and walked

I forgot this last post. Pinning on our missionary badges.

Another great week has passed and we are really enjoying all that we are learning and doing. Of course, one of the sisters here said it is like we have been in the Missionary Training School (and she is right just a short version of it) and now beginning this week we get down in the trenches to work. To tell you the truth, I am excited to start on with my responsibilities.

The week started with learning the duties around the grounds. Our first lesson was driving the rovers (mules, ATVs, whatever you want to call them). Throughout our training, several have gained appropriate nicknames. Yep, we now have a Sister Andretti in our midst and it ain’t me.


This isn't actually training. This is our practice day but I wanted you to see what our rovers look like.

On the grounds is a woodshop, metal shop, and lots of landscaping to take care of. The Elders (men) will primarily being busy in the wood shop and metal shop but they have granted the Sisters (women) permission to invade their territory once in awhile if we desire. Thank goodness as I want to learn how to repair a handcart, build benches and the such. And I promise I won’t paint flowers on them either!! We will have two-way radios with some of our duties and we learned how to communicate with base station. The emphasis was placed on being professional on the radios…drats, they must have known I was coming and had to set the ground rules right away. No calling my honey on the radio and sweet talking him, uh???

Tuesday was filled with so much information; I think my brain is having to kick into overdrive. We were blessed to have guest speakers from the Church History Department and learn so much about their research program and how they validate the accounts of the pioneers and determine the location of the actual events. What a very intriguing area of church work.


She is holding a sacrament pitcher. Isn't it cool!! This was before the individual cups.

So many times in my recent life, I wish I would have been aware of all the opportunities out there for a career, pastime, or just know what is happening. Okay, maybe not as I would have wanted to do it all. After the briefings, we then went to the different posts (assignment areas) and practiced sharing our scripts regarding the history and stories. We have such talented people here with us that did a great job sharing the information for the first time.


Me sharing my pioneer account of Jane Bailey.


Randy and I standing in the depression of the trail made by the pioneers over 150 yrs ago.

On Friday, we did one of the actual treks; a 6-mile walk pulling a handcart with our belongings in it. What a truly wonderful experience!! Memories of the trek we did in Arkansas with the 14 to 18 year olds came flooding back and now I have memories of doing it with people ranging from 52 (me) to 87 years of age.


Our handcart family.


There was only one more cart behind us.

Each of us was blessed with gaining more knowledge and individual strength which we really didn’t think we possessed. Two of the most touching moments on this trek were the crossing of the Sweetwater River and the women’s pull up a sandy hill about 3/4 of a mile. As many as wanted to were invited to cross the Sweetwater which is very cold right now with the snow run off, approximately 2 ½ feet deep, and somewhere around 30 feet across. I proudly took off my boots and crossed.


Me in the turquoise sweater; crossing the Sweetwater River.


Struggling to get out of the boggy mud at the bottom of the river after walking over rocks barefooted.

I feel so totally blessed to be able to do this after all the struggles I have had health wise the past three years. I know there is an extra pair of hands holding me up at this time and I am so grateful I can serve Him in such a small way. After crossing the river, we then proceeded to a hill where the men were taken to the top of it and they talked about the strength and value of their wives while the ladies stayed at the bottom and talked about how virtuous it is to be a woman. We then, as women, got with our carts and pushed and pulled it up the sand trap hill.


Me and my sisters pulling the cart up the hill.

Now remember, these ladies are not the 14 to 18 years old. Of course, they weren’t only 14 to 18 when they crossed the plains either. Oh, the men were pulled out to signify either dying or being called to a mission to help others somewhere else while the women continued the journey to Salt Lake City. Those pioneers were some sturdy stock. The pull up the hill was grueling but well worth it. After our long walk, we gathered for dinner and then square danced. It was amazing that once the music started up, all of us gleaned energy of the excitement and got on our feet and danced for an hour. We will be able to enjoy this activity with the youth when they come. What a fulfilling day even if I had to use a tube of Bengay the next day to be able to stand.


Towards the end of our long pull. My shoulder was hurting so I could only use one hand.

Now for the rest of the story: On the trek we saw a hognose snake and were able to get pretty close to him or her. They are still moving pretty slow as it is not warm enough for them but none the less they are out already. Then, when Randy showered after our trek, guess what he found on him...a big black tick!!! Definitely not what I wanted or needed. How fortunate for us that we were the first to report a tick. We have been told that when we get ready to leave for the day, watch our doors as we may bump an antelope when opening them, then check the ground as there may be a snake and then when we come home, check for ticks. What a day of activity.


Yep, we found a bit of a bog to 4-wheel in with the truck. Traveling around the ranch is so much fun.

We went driving around the ranch and just thought this was beautiful.