Day 4- Trek- July 2014

In the morning, we had breakfast and packed up and cleaned up camp.  They had everyone hold hands and walk around picking up garage, so we didn’t miss anything.  Then the companies started heading out, one at a time… ours was last, so we had more time to talk.  We had our last words as a family, kind of like our own testimony meeting.  It was really neat to hear each of their thoughts on what they had gained from Trek.  It was super sad too, to know that this was our last few hours as a family.  Being ready to give our legs and feet a break and to shower and be clean and to sleep in our own beds… but at the same time knowing what a special experience this had been and that these people that had become our family in such a short time would go back to their lives and we would move on, hoping we could remain friends.

1) Daniel watermelon for breakfast, 2) Pa eating watermelon, 3) Ma and Riana eating watermelon, 4) Captain Merrill George And Joe Graham eating watermelon, 5) Brooke and Andrews, 6) talk by Pa, 7) Riana and blue company on their way, 8) Riana, 9) Chandler, 10) Riana and family, 11) Butterfly, 12) Blue company, 13) Andrew Meldrum, 14) Riana and family, 15) Chandler, 16)  Yellow company, 16) Mitchells, 17-18) Savannah, 19) Sylvie and Lisa and Bro. Johnston on horses
20) Eli and Franky, 21) Celeste, Leena, Elizabeth, 22) Leena and friend, 23) cleaning up our camp, 24) all red team cleaning up camp, 25-26) Celeste’s message

We headed out on our way.  There was definitely some determination in their steps.  They knew that this was the last leg of our journey and pushed a little bit harder, excited to get to our destination.  At the same time, there was also a very somber mood too.  I think everyone was sad it was ending also.  After about an hour, we “stumbled” upon some adorable little star pies, in boxes, in the middle of the forest.  It was super cute!  I think it represented the pioneers finding food, after praying, along the trail.  We rested and visited, as we ate our pies, with an incredible view of the mountains and valleys.  It was beautiful.  Then we started walking again and turned the corner to see many friends welcoming us back to the same place we started.  I started crying because my feet were so sore and blistered and every step hurt.  I was so happy we were done, but also sad.  It was worth everything.  What an amazing experience!!  I hope to be able to go on Trek many more times!!! 

 

 

 

1) Red on our way, finally, 2-14) Our family pulling along, sometimes with helpers, and sometimes us going to help others (Eli, Quintin, Ben, etc.), 15-17) Finding and stopping for pies, 18) Chandler, 19) Our family, 20) Savannah, 21) yellow- Savannah, Jared, Josh, 22-23) our family water break, 24) our family pushing handcart, 25-26) welcoming us in, 27) all done!, 28) Riana and blue company, 29) Savannah and family, 30) Jared H, 31-32) our family, 33) Alex M excited, 34) the end of the wagon train

The whole week on Trek, Logan and I would hide the shower cap that we got from the hotel, in each other’s stuff or pockets, by asking people in each other’s families to hide it.  It was seriously a super funny prank that both families were involved in.  I would be getting in my bag and see it and be like, “Logan!”  Logan had asked Cassie to put it there.  Then I would give it back to his Ma and she would slip it into his bag.  Anyway, everyone loved helping with the prank!  And in the end, Grant stuck it in Logan’s pocket and he didn’t find it until the very end, so he admitted defeat by wearing the shower cap under his hat.  LOL!!

 

 

Afterwards, we had a big barbecue with non- Pioneer foods—hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, etc.  It was a fun surprise! 

After we left, the Andrews were following us and on a spur of the moment, we decided to stop at a river and rinse off.  It seriously felt absolutely amazing!!!  My poor feet were so blistered and my middle toe nails were completely bruised (and later ended up falling off.)  We also ate Trek mix on the way home.  LOL!  J  I’m so glad we were asked to go and had this opportunity!  And would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go on Trek, to go.  Even though it was hard, it was so rewarding!  It is a truly amazing experience!