Martin's Cove Aug 15, 2006

This is where my cousin's daughter insisted on being baptized last year. There was a nice lady here telling stories about the Willie & Martin Handcart Companies. I missed out on most the stories because my boys were more interested in playing in the sprinklers.

Austin really needed a nap and we made Grandma ride for a few feet until we got to the introductory place.

This is when we thought we would only be gone for an hour, maybe two.

We were very optimist about the trek.

Adam with my cousins, Shelly & Ally, in the handcart.

There was a part in the trail that did not allow handcarts because it is run by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) so we got to use these lovely carts. I need to brag, Bryan pulled one of those practically by himself. Scott Jensen helped him in the beginning when Annalee was in but then Karilyn got in and was pretty light and Emily got in (not all together) and they all had at least one kid with them.

If you enlarge this photo, the river bends SEVERAL times, it is pretty cool.

We had to give the lovely carts back and get the handcarts from the "Handcart Parking."

Adam with my cousins, Shelly (in the red Disneyland tee), Ally, and Justin; aren't they cute.

Richard and Laurie's family (minus Brad who was with the other cart) plus Adam & Austin.

Brady and Aunt Ann took this handcart through the river crossing all by themselves, I was impressed. Even though I got sunburned and we were guzzling water like nobody's business, the water was surprisingly refreshing.

Matt and Brad prepared their pants to carry Grandma across.

The modern day "Valley Boys".

The Richard & Laurie Nielson Family: what troopers.

Austin was so exhausted that he cuddled up to Matt and fell asleep within minutes.

What Dad & Beebe did (illegally, I might add) while the rest of us hiked the trail.

Dad, Beebe & "Comrade" went with Dennis Ray on a "special" trail and then went to Devil's Gate (and did the illegal activity). We don't really know what they did on the special trail, they won't say because "we didn't go."

Dad, Beebe, Comrade and Dennis caught up with Sheri and her sister & family.

We LOVED Martin's Cove and decided that next time we went we would want to do it all. We didn't have enough time to see Devil's Gate but we still enjoyed ourselves. We really enjoyed the delicious tacos the "trailer people" provided in the parking lot.

Independence Rock Aug 15, 2006

Inside a cave, only a few went in some, "dads" and teenagers.I was with the boys at the cars, they entertained themselves by putting rocks and sand on bumpers.

This was the view of our group from the top.

Give 3 teenage boys a camera and...

Matt inside the cave.

Bryan and Adam at the very top (there was the top that everyone went to and then there was this top that you had to keep hiking and was a little more difficult).

The teenage boys at the very top.

Aunt Ann in her hat and bright orange shirt.

At the lunch table, are we surprised that is where we were all congregating?

Matt climbing.

Shelly posing (not the only picture of her posing, I had to choose between some pretty cute pictures).

Mom is "queen of the rock" (she actually posed for this photo, I don't think she knew I was going to post it on my blog AND there was another one that I debated putting on as well but decided that one picture was good enough.).

I really liked the facts and stories of Independence Rock. If it had been a little less dusty and hot, I would have liked it a bit more. My boys had a great time getting dusty and throwing rocks. Austin tried eating rocks and Adam lined up rocks on bumpers of trailers. Austin also liked messing up Adam's lines of rocks and then Adam would throw dirt in Austin's hair. They were so filthy they had to have a shower because the bath water would have been brown from all the dirt. The back of my legs got sunburned because I wore shorts and put sunscreen on my face, neck and arms. Still had a good time but needed a nap but we were on to our next destination, Martin's Cove.

Bessemer Bend WY Aug 14, 2006

Dennis Ray telling us about what took place here, at Bessemer Bend.

Everyone applying bug repellent (I still got bit).

He looks really peaceful here (it lasted for about 15 minutes).

We needed to entertain C, so we took pictures.

Scott, Ann & Shelly (Richard & Laurie's youngest)

We were suppose to tell a story about our ancestors.
Grandma represented for Grandpa as well (surprise, surprise).

Ensign Peak Aug 13, 2006

We started our Wyoming Pioneer Trip at Ensign Peak in Salt Lake and what a great beginning.

The Rays' daughter, Alicia, & grandson, Charlie, and Sheri's mom were there. It was fun to meet them and have them join us on the hike. The blue and white flag is the "Flag of the Kingdoms"

(not the official church flag)

Adam before starting on the hike.

Adam & Grandpa were hiking buddies in the beginning.

Tyler was determined to use the stroller, even though the trail was not for strollers.

Bryan & Austin beat us to the top.

Sam & Laura & boys joined us, it was fun to see them.
It would have been great to have them to come on to Wyoming with us.

Jackson glad to be at the top.

Matt, Tyler and Conrad reading the monument at the top.

The Monsons at the top of Ensign Peak.
We had to prove that Tyler was there :)

Adam LOVED throwing rocks down the side.

Bryan & Karin taking in the sights and forgetting that they have 2 curious toddlers wondering around with warnings of rattle snakes and rocky cliffs they could tumble down.

The Browns needed to take ANOTHER family photo. But isn't it cute.

5 Generations

We went to Utah and Wyoming for a week in August for a church historical trip. Before we went to church we took 5 generation pictures and a "little" family photo. We went to church and then Gregg & Kathy, Grandma & Grandpa Stewart, Grandma & Grandpa Nielson, Monsons, Browns, Righters, and Stewarts (Marcia, Walt, Matt) had lunch at Nielson's; Yummy corn on the cob, I love Utah in the summer. We had a great time on this "once in a lifetime trip."

Bryan, Adam, Karin, and Austin Aug 13, 2006
Benjamin, UT Nielson Farm

5 Generation Pictures:

Marcia, Carol (Gma Nielson), Karin, Adam, Grama J, Austin

Marcia, Grandma Nielson, Elizabeth, Grama J, Conrad