Still Cold And Rocky

This is a picture of Split Rock. It is one of the fameous landmarks on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. It is a bit hard to see, as it is taken from about fifty miles away. The split is about East and West, so also allows people to keep track of directions. The sunsets are out of a fairy tale book. Too bad the cold and wind freezes the eye balls if you try to look.

For only the second time in forty years, the river tops the spillway at Path Finder Dam. The dam is not all that big or high, but the sight is magnificant and worth the time and effort to get there. We enjoyed just getting out of camp and the cold for this evening when the wind was not blowing much and the temperatures were quite nice. The cool dress is required whenever we are "on post" or out in the world. Funny, you do not miss much that the world offers and are quite happy just doing your thing in the box or at the Cove.

The Mormon Trail

Lyn, Jolene Allphin, the famous author and her friend Cheryl Flowers, at a grave of a baby from the Martin Company. We were sworn to secrecy as to whose grave and where it is as it is a famous person's child and many of the family do not know where this is. Those that do, do not want it to become a place for the curious, but rather remain a sacred place of rest.

Jolene Allphin tenderly keeping the grave stones in order so as to preserve the location and show reverence. This was a touching experience for all of us. We were honored to be afforded this much trust by these two fantastic people.

Just a rose between the thorns, or did I somehow get that wrong. In any case, the spirit that attends this child is special and testifies of the Savior and his special love for her and the family she came from.

Just another hard day at the office. We have refinished the floor and sealed it. We have cleaned up plenty of mice and whatever they leave behind and the place is starting to be ok. The flags are what we use to identify and keep track of a group of trekkers when they are on the go around the Cove. The center piece of the office is the statue of the old man on the chair.

The grave site at Rock Crick Hollow commerating the death and burial of thirteen people in one night. This is where, when President Lorimar was the Lord's instrument in the second rescue, placed a couple of flowers on a ten year old girl's name. President Hinkley picked a very large bouquet and put it on her grave, saying, "Bodil is my friend too." What a story this little girl is and what a great spirit she brings to the youth when her story is told. She is a great missionary yet and thousands are helped to find a testimony because of her.

A nothing picture on a cold windy day on the banks of the Sweetwater River. Glad I do not have to get wet or carry people across all day and it is fifty degrees warmer this day than when the real event happened.

I found this rose growing in front of this rare thirty foot high snow drift at Rock Crick Hollow. Having snow here at this time of the year is very rare, and to have this drift is unheard of. Hope the rose does not freeze. Oh wait, she already is.

The Remember monument at Rock Crick Hollow. I do not want to say it was cold, but my girth increased by twenty two inches in just goose bumps. Yet warm and balmy it would have been for the Willie company on this day. They had about a foot of snow and were wet and hungry, just completing up to 27 hours of hiking to get here. Thirteen died the night/day they got here. They also had much less clothing and I do not know how any one person survived this trek. That is the real story. The miracle of life, not the agony of what happened.

Modern wagon train on the old famous Oregon, California, Mormon and Pony Express Trail. This is the trail right where the person is standing.

The last few yards of Rocky Ridge before they got to the top, where they could see forty miles of tough travel in frigid conditions and starvation ahead. Rescued, they were, out of the woods and out of suffering, not a chance. How could they have hope at this point. I cannot get the depth of their faith in the Lord and the gospel. They just clung to the faith and kept going whether they had feet left of not.

No, this is not one of those famous angels of Rocky Ridge. More of one from the darker side.

A big donkey in the traces. Much tougher than it looks and I was glad for all the help I could have. Could not have done it on my own, so how did sweet Elsie, pull her husband up the Ridge all by herself. He was about my height, but a lot skinner and she was about five foot and probably weighted about ninety pounds at this time.

The depression we are standing in, is the old historic trail.

Success is a hug from a doll at the top of the Ridge. It was great, but do not think I would go up the Ridge just for that feeble hug again.

Keep them doggies moving, even though the streems are swollen. Well, it is much more special than that and those who made or died trying to make it will welcome those that make other special sacrifices into the Celestial relm, as that is where they are and the spirit of this place so testifies.