A few weeks ago Aaron and I braved the pioneer trek with our stake for Youth Conference. Guess what? We loved it. Yep, that's right, can't wait to do it again in 4 years. It was 3 days of sweating, walking, pushing a hand cart, walking, pulling a hand cart, walking, hills, walking, pioneer clothing, beautiful scenery, the best kids we could ask for, and a lot of walking.
Dobson Family Portrait.
Aaron and I (Pa and Ma) and 13 teenagers.
(Two of our daughters are missing in this pic)
We fell in love with these kids. It started out as such a random group, with no one really knowing each other. Within a few hours, we were a close-nit fam. spending all our time together.
After a full day of walking, we finally made it to our first campsite. The kids slept under the stars, and Aaron and I slept in a tent. It was freezing that night!
This is me with all the girls from my home ward.
The next morning, ready for a hard day.
Since there was so much stopping and resting along the trail, Aaron taught our boys how to make a kick stand, out of a branch, for our hand cart. That way we could rest it on the stand without setting the whole cart down, shifting everything around. We were the only family with this nifty tool and Aaron was super proud of it.
Day 2: We had to cross a "river" like the Pioneers did. It was more like a large puddle, but the boys carried the girls across anyway. This is Aaron showing the boys how it's done.
So tired at our lunch break.
With no where to sit for 3 days I'm the wilderness, we were happy to have our buckets for chairs.
A rare flat piece of land. The majority was up hills, and down hills.
Day 2: While we hid under some trees during the noon day sun, we had different workshops for the kids to learn skills. The workshop Aaron and I were in charge of... teaching the kids to square dance for the big hoe down later that night. Yes!
Showing off our family flag and cart.
The only bench we saw. I spent a lot of time on it.
The last morning I gathered all the kids from our home ward for a pic.
We had the largest group out of all the wards there.
They're so cute!
Highlights of the experience:
Watching our kids work together and help each other out.
Watching Aaron teach teenagers life lessons.
Realizing that my body is more capable that I thought it was.
Feeling the spirit we had at camp.
Learning about my own pioneer ancestors in preparation for our devotionals.
Watching Aaron fail to keep a dry eye as he gave his devotional.
Making new friends whom we are now double-dating.
Taking a shower when I got home!
3 comments:
LOVE these pictures!!! It looks like you had an AMAZING time! I didn't know you had to teach square dancing! Where did you learn how to do that? And I love the pic of Aaron carrying a girl across the river. So tender. I'm so glad you loved your family and had a good experience.
Wasn't Aaron born during these times so all of this came naturally to him? ( :) Love you Aaron!) Seriously though, I am way jealous of both of you. I have always wanted and never have done a trek. What an awesome experience you guys got to share together as a couple. I love the y stick he fashioned for the handcart. You guys are awesome.
Sean just read the post and commented 'that is cool. I bet they had a blast.' Just saying...
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