Little bunch of flowers nestled in the rocks at the top of Rocky Ridge

At the top of Rocky Ridge - someone handed me a Rock to prove it was rocky. I am sitting on rocks that were part of the trail. Notice how they are naturally terraced - pioneers pulled their handcarts in a blizzard across this ridge. (The little boy is Simon - he lives at Muddy Gap. His parents jointed the church this past year so they are part of our little branch).

Along the Mormon Trail as we rode to the lower monument at Rocky Ridge. These hills are some that the pioneers would have passed in a blizzard in 1856.

Our assignment was Handcart Parking Post where we told pioneer stories to a school group. I was able to wear my pioneer dress and got lots of compliments on the beautiful shawl that Marcia made for me. It was a great experience. Behind me is the lower cove and then the Dan Jones Cove which leads up to the Martin's Cove Amphitheatre.

Bronze Statue inside Martin's Cove Visitors Center. It depicts the handcart experience and the legacy of faith.

Fireplace inside the Sun Room at Martin's Cove Visitors Center. Rocks were collected by Tom Sun II's wife - Nellie. She gave instructions on placing every rock which also included petrified wood and indian corn grinding bowls. The wolf on the wall is a white wolf shot on the Sun Ranch

Bronze Statue inside Martin's cove Visitors Center.

I looked out the window and what did I see??? Antelope grazing on the grass in front of some of the permanent housing structures and out behind the motor home. They are here all the time but today they came in really close. We were home early and they don't expect people until after 4PM. It is amazing that they know the schedule of all the missionaries.

Took this photo about 2PM - couldn't believe the snow is so low on the mountains. The temperature has been really cold today but not rain or snow. Tomorrow maybe the sun will shine.

This was another "spring" snowstorm today. In spite of the weather we had visitors come to the Visitor's Center. It was great to give them the history of the Sun Ranch and the Pioneer Handcart struggles.

Thursday morning - May 19th - Martin's Cove Visitors Center in a snow storm.

Elder & Sister Dick Starr - end of the day - CES bus tour. We traveled from Casper Wyoming pioneer areas to split rock. Had two men from Salt Lake here to give us histories of the camping spots, trails, and experiences. It was as very interesting day. Learned about Bessemer Bend (Last Crossing of the North Platte River for the Martin Co), Avenue of the Rocks, Prospect Hill, Independance Rock, and Split Rock area. Great day

Elder & Sister Jim Williams, Mesa, AZ

Elder & Sister Newman, Queen Creek, AZ Our outing at the Willie Center - learning about their stories and experiences.

Now all the Mother's Day Flowers have blossomed and they have been so beautiful. It is such a refreshing sight to walk into our little home and see such a beautiful bouquet. Thank you so much.

Mother's Day bouquet from Brent. It is so beautiful and smells wonderful. Makes a wonderful addition to the motor home decor and to a Mother's Day. Lots and Lots of good memories come with this love and thoughtfulness.

This was the day when we had the Missionary Trek and the Woman's pull. We Trekked for 5 miles and did it in 5 hours. Visited Viel Bridge, Dan Jones Cove, Martin's Cove, Rescuer Statues, Monument to Martin's Cove, Foot Bridge, Sweetwater Crossing, and the Woman's Pull. All of these places left a humbling mark on our hearts as we learn more and more about the Handcart Pioneers and their triumphs and struggles.

Elder Starr helping to pull the handcart along the trail.

These are two of the statues that honor the rescuers at the Sweetwater River. It is a wonderful tribute.

This is our normal dress as long as the weather remains cold. We are beginning to really like hats and warm jackets.

This is one of our favorite stories. This dear mother lost her husband to cold and starvation. She could not stand to sleep under the heavy canvas of the tent that could not be put up because the ground was so frozen that the tent stakes could not hold the tent up. She found a rock and with one child on her lap and two at her side she sat all night in the storm keeping her children warm and safe. This mother demonstrated extreme faith and determination as she saved her children from the cold in an early winter storm.

"Spring" in Casper Wyoming

We went in to Casper for our P-Day on Friday - Apr 29 and we were in snow alllllllll day long. It was very interesting because at all the stores we found that the people who live here think this is really "spring" weather.