Top 10 of 2008 - #1 Martin's Cove

Finally!! We got through the top ten. My very favorite memory of the year is a very special one. Unfortunately, only Dave and I could go - we had to leave the kids home. One day, though, we will all go. In July, we were lucky enough to be asked to go with our ward to Martin's Cove. Of course, because of Dave's expertise in the videography industry, we were asked to document the trek with pictures and video.


For those of you who don't know what Martin's Cove is, it is a very important and historical site for the church. It is located almost smack dab in the middle of Wyoming. It is where the Martin Handcart Company was stranded during the winter on their way crossing the plains to Salt Lake City 150 years ago. We also got to go to Sixth Crossing and Rocky Ridge, which are near by. Those are the locations that the Willie Handcart Company suffered through their very similar ordeal at the same time.


For the trek, the youth were put into families and had to pull their handcarts in good old fashioned pioneer clothing. Yes, that mean skirts for the women. We hiked MILES!! It was a lot of work....and I didn't have to pull a handcart. I was in charge of our tiny video camera. Poor Dave lugged around our big camera and tripod everywhere. He ran back and forth through the trek line and made and incredible video when it was all said and done. (I was tempted to upload it to blogger, but I think and hour long video would be a little much.)


These are incredible places. Really, there is nothing at either of these places but the monuments that were constructed. When I say nothing.....I literally mean NOTHING. No houses, no city, no cell phone reception, no stores (okay...I take that back, there is one tiny store in Muddy Gap, nearby Martin's Cove and I think the only reason it is even in existence is because of all the Mormon tourists who go through). But, it is one of the most spiritual places I have ever been to. Being able to walk in the same footsteps as these faithful pioneers is really a life changing, testimony building experience. I highly recommend everyone to go.


Here are a few pictures Dave took of our experience (literally FEW - he took hundreds!)

What an amazing group of kids! It was just our ward youth, but I think there were almost as many adults who came as youth. But, really, can you blame them?!?

Don't judge this picture too harshly. This is after 4 days of no showers. We were both SOOO exhausted by this point.