2011 Youth Pioneer Trek

Rick and I were priviledged to be able to be 'Ma and Pa' to 9 youth during a 3 day Trek in southern WA. We met up with the group of youth from Kent at the Columbia River Temple on Wed afternoon. We headed to the site near Hermiston, WA and met our new children. We started treking and went about 3.5 miles the first afternoon in about 100 degree weather; that is decked out in pioneer clothing.
We slept in a tent, while the youth slept under the stars. The next day we went several more miles, but had to change our course because of 35-40 mi/hr winds. It helped with the heat and the bugs, but not the dust in the face or the ability to talk to each other well. We continued on the next day and made it to Zion (pictured below) after about 5 miles that day. It felt sooo good to toss our shoes off and run with bare feet in the grass. We enjoyed having our hair washed and the shade of the trees that night. As well and good food and dancing.
We had an awesome group of kids and ended up with even a few others 'joining' us. Many firesides and reinactments helped us really come closer and appreciate the pioneers and what they did for us. Despite many other adults warning us about how hard it would be, we loved every minute and would do it again.