Sometimes you choose pictures because they tell a story and sometimes because they look good. If lucky, both. We post, you decide.
Deseret Land and Livestock: 235,000 acres, 10,000 cows, and six trek groups at any given time. They supply the handcarts. Each ward designs its own flags.
Riverton 15th girls: ready.
Riverton 15th boys: ready. Look how clean the shirts. This was day 1.
Take a good look. After this, you are hard-pressed to tell which person is under which layers of dust.
"I hear you guys think I'm going to push. So funny!"
Jim Bridger scouts for the wily portapotty, unaware a flock is creeping up on him. (Proper multitude for portapotties: stench. As in, "a stench of portapotties ambushed and overwhelmed Jim...")
Yes, that is frost on my bucket. First night on the Wyoming plains got a bit chilly. On the second night we gave away our entire supply of heat packs.
Pa Cash grows a nice beard. But then, he's a nice guy.
Ma Cash is dauntless in the face of dozens of teenagers.
This thumb-carving took 10 stitches. It was an adult who shall remain nameless.
President Burton, post tick-ectomy, and Tasha Wood awaiting the starting pistol shot on Day 2.
There were pioneer games, including a whipsaw contest. No fingers were harmed in the making of this contest.
When Sister Holt found out that the CapriSuns were frozen, she immediately sprang into action and got some warm beverages to pour into the pouches.
Ward Trekmaster and Logistics team. These guys, plus Laura and Lorelai, put up camp, cooked, cleaned and did everything but tuck us in at night. And I'm not sure they didn't do that, too.
Post pioneer games. There was a hurt ankle when Kelsee went to ground. She got better.
Favorite Richard Backman quote: "So. This is camping, eh? Are you supposed to be able to sleep?"
Authentic western dancing. They changed partners about every 8 bars. Lots of opportunities to meet lots of people. And step on their toes.
The two hardest working and nicest pioneer-esses ever.
This redhead did not burn a bit. Thus, the smile.
A favorite game, if you are the trestle walker and not holding one of the trestles.
The old guard. And we mean old.
Still, tough to complain about being old when President Page has been on 5 treks, and is older than us.
Des Crump is also a familiar face on trek, though last trek we saw more of her sore feet than this time.
This is the scenic route. Though there weren't many routes that didn't look like this.
There was mighty power in the women's pull. Best compliment heard: "you pull like a girl!"
Almost as close as flesh and blood family.
Upon hearing the news that breakfast was a stale roll.
Stoic in the face of all obstacles.
Bloomers! Scandalous!
Some fine beards were grown for trek. How many will last the next week?
A familiar sight: Doctor Mother Terisa padding sore feet and toes.
End of the trail smile. To be fair, this matched the beginning of the trail smile.
So, a good time was had by all 500 people. All of whom came away a little more grateful for those who blazed the trails, and a little more aware of the preciousness of friends and family.
