pioneer trek

paul and i were asked to be ma and pa to a family of five kids, not our own, on pioneer trek last week. gabi trekked as well but with another pioneer family in our group. pioneer trek is a reenactment of the migration of mormon pioneers who, seeking religous freedom, walked, pulled handcarts or joined a wagon train in the mid 1800's traveling from the midwest to utah's salt lake valley. donned head to toe in our pioneer clothing (ok, on our feet we wore clean wool socks, insoles, hiking boots and brought water shoes) we had a wonderful experience! 

our trek family was part of a group of 200 descendants honoring and dedicating this four day journey to their pioneer ancestors. paul, gabi and i dedicated our trek to my great, great, great grandmother, sarah newland nichols, her husband joseph and their daughter, elizabeth nichols berry who began their journey in liverpool, england aboard the ship ellen maria on 17 january 1853 eventually joining a wagon train from iowa city. 

all along this thirty mile section of the wyoming trail we pulled handcarts loaded with our gear and  stopping along the way to learn of the history, landmarks and stories from pioneer diaries. we crossed dusty miles, steep inclines, rivers and wetlands pitching our tents in the evening at the side of the trail. we spotted rainbows, wildlife and cattle entertained us as surprised as we were to find them there. the sunsets and sunrises were beautiful and the weather was surprisingly mild with no wyoming wind. our other (real life :) children have had this experience through the years as well, gaining a humbling appreciation for their courageous and determined pioneer ancestors. what an adventure!