I had the extremely fun opportunity of going on Trek with our Stake. I was on the Communications team, stationed at Base Camp. Because we were at Base Camp, I was invited to bring my husband and kids with me so that I could stay the entire time instead of just one day. It was awesome!!
Trek was past Government Camp up at Mt. Hood. It was Thursday - Saturday, and we had the time of our lives!
We got there Thursday around 10am. After we set up our tent, I got right to work on communications. My Ham Shack was already set up, so I immediately started monitoring and guiding people in. Sean was up there camping, but mostly he was being Mr. Mom. I cannot express how grateful I am for him, and how willing he is to support me in my endeavors, even if it isn't glorious for him! He never complains. He's the best!
Since I was on Radio duty, Sean snatched up the boys and took them on an adventure. They drove a couple miles down the road and found a cool place to go exploring.
While they were out they ran across a couple campers with horses. The campers were so nice and let the boys not only pet the horses, but get on the horses! Asher decided he didn't want to, but Brayden had a blast.
He even sported the cowboy hat!
Asher was having a blast being out in the wild with (mostly) no restrictions. He loves running wild and getting dirty. What little boy doesn't?
Playing with the handcart
On Friday, the trekkers all came through the "Trading Post" where they could trade beads and string for gatorade and red vines (Pioneery, right?) I needed to be at the Trading Post to help monitor where the Companies were, and also be there for medical relay. (If someone got hurt, the Ham in that company told me, and I told the P.A.) My family got to be at the Trading Post with me, and I loved them dressed up in their Pioneer garb!
Part of the "Red Company"
One of the girls in my ward, Dierden, decided that wearing rain boots on Trek was a good idea. After the first day, her feet and legs were blistered and miserable. I let her use my hiking boots, which means I was in flip flops. (I was secretly very grateful for the excuse to be barefoot!) The picture below shows the aftermath :)
Patriarch Haroldson was dressed up in Native American attire, and welcomed the Pioneers to the Trading Post. He had 2 harmonicas that he'd bought on his mission over 50 years ago. He asked if any of us prepping the Trading Post knew how to play the harmonica. I told him I did a little! So he handed me the other one and we played "Come Come Ye Saints" as the trekkers were coming into the Post. It was such a fun experience. After we were all done, I handed it back to him and he said "It really would mean a lot to me if you'd keep this. I know your boys will love it, and I want your family to have it." I got emotional and gave him a big hug and expressed my gratitude. It means so much!
My dad and Grandpa both play(ed) the harmonica brilliantly. I've grown up around it and really appreciate this instrument. I've never had my own, but I'm so grateful to be carrying this one that obviously holds a lot of meaning to Patriarch Haroldson.
I *love* this picture of Asher. He is exuding happiness and joy, and his outfit and the background are perfect!
Brother and Sister Nelson brought their horses and were the "Pony Express" and also helped carry youth with sprained ankles, etc. Asher finally got up the nerves to get on a horse.
Some of the youth at camp. During the Trek, there was a 1.5 mile section that the boys left as the "Mormon Battalion" and the girls had to hike that 1.5 miles alone, including a river crossing. The boys made all of these benches that they used at their Friday night fireside. They turned out really well!
Brayden playing stick ball
We had so much fun, and I can't get over how cool of an experience this was for the Youth of our Stake. On Friday, I was asked by Brother Morgan Bleak if I would put together the Slideshow to be played at the Trek Fireside, that would be the Sunday a week after we got home. I had 7 days to condense 100 gigabytes of pictures and video into a 30 minute slideshow, complete with chapel appropriate-trek relevant pictures.
I recruited the help of Zan and Julie Hess, and with their help, we did it! I am really impressed with how it turned out, and got lots of compliments and praises at the Fireside. It was fast and slow, funny and spiritual. I will post it below (for you, Uncle Rick!) but you don't have to watch the whole thing...it's a half hour! If you want though, my favorite parts are 10:40 and 20:46 (but start a little bit before).
