A Few Trek Memories

Our trek was 4 fun but tough days travelling 17mi. Blake and I weren't suppose to help with the pulling - but during the women's pull and up rocky ridge our help was greatly needed and I was greatful that we were in good enough shape to help. Our family consisted of 9 youth, and adult big sis and big brother, and Blake and I. The first night we pulled for 7mi, most of it in the dark. It was a great time to get to know our family. We realized that we had some great fast pullers as we were always on the heels of the cart in front, and always had a bit gap behind. Since we were blessed the previous weekend with the rain we needed, we were able to have fires. Horray because it was quite chilly at night. I slept in my coat, to cold to change into pj's I kept my day clothes on. I also had 3 hot shots to keep my warm. Blake slept under the stars....he is tough. The last night my coat stunk so bad of bonfire that I got brave and took it off to sleep....so I had to use 6 hot shots to keep warm...what a wimp.
Day 2 was the toughest with the women's pull followed closely by the Rocky Ridge pull. The men went off with the "mormon batallion" and watched us pull up this steep hill not being able to help until we almost reached the top. We quickly learned that it was going to take more than 7 girls to get up this hill. The girls were quick to come back and help the next cart....needing about 15 girls to get it up the hill. It was awesome seeing the girls go back again and again.....knowing there was more help needed. It really reminded me how the relief society works. Sisters tirelessly helping one another. It was quite remarkable! Many girls got sick and exhausted so we had a good lunch and rest to gear up for the next big pull...rocky ridge.
I must admit that this was probablythe toughest thing I have had to do. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as it was asked to keep working. We stopped 4 times up the hill, but got little releif from it. My lungs were just bursting with effort...but there was no thought of quitting as my family needed me. 5ft from the top, help arrived. I was so greatful for the aid. It remineded me that we can't make it through life on our own. We need the help of friends and family to get through. This was made more evident when we arrived home on Sat. at about 5pm. I was so tired and dirty and I walked through my back door of our house to find that my friend had come in and had a crockpot on our counter cooking with dinner. What an angel. Just like those boys who helped us on Rocky Ridge.
A great experience. Part of our trek theme went like this...." ....we realized that their journeys parallel our own. There are lessons to be learned in every footstep they took. Lessons of love, courage, committment, endurence, devotion, and most of all faith." We surely saw this as we experienced this trek.