Willie and Martin Handcart Companies visitors sites

I realized last night while I was writing this blog, that I had posted my Yellowstone blog on September 11th and I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to pay tribute to the importance of that day in our American history. This past Sunday, on September 11th, we had Stake Conference. The Stake President gave a wonderful talk on faith and remembrance of all those that died because of the 9-11 tragedy. He spoke of the hero's on the planes that defended our country. He gave an honorable tribute to the men, women and children that perished, that survived and that sacrificed to save the lives of all they could.When I walked into the chapel, about 3 minutes before Stake Conference started, there was a video going of pictures from ground zero and a talk was going in the background. It was a general conference talk given by Jeffrey R Holland. I love his talks, they are so full of hope, truth and fulfillment. He reminds us that there is always hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I hope we never forget how that day, as tragedy struck, our country came together and was united as one, to lift up those that lost loved ones. May we never forget.

The next day after Yellowstone, we visited 2 pioneer historical sites.
The first was called 6th Crossing. It was where the Willie Handcart company was rescued by the rescue party sent out by Brigham Young. There were 2 handcart companies that were stranded. The Willie and the Martin handcart companies. They were several miles apart from each other and both in situations that were dire. The reason why they were stuck in the bad weather was because they left Iowa too late in the season. They just wanted to get to Salt Lake. A place where they knew they could be safe from the persecutions that were so prominent in that time and be able to live their life in peace.

You could try your hand at pulling a handcart around the area to see what it must have been like and let me tell ya, it was not easy! I really can't imagine pulling it for thousands of miles.

When you visit these sites, there is a feeling present there still, after all these years have passed. It was the winter of 1856 when they were found stranded and in much need of help. They were out of food and supplies and could go no further having been caught in a terrible snow storm. The feeling that is there is a very humbling feeling.. I had recently seen the movie 17 Miracles and was moved by what the 2 handcart companies went through. But to go there, where they had been, was something I'll never forget.

This was the trail the Willie Co. had to cross to continue on their journey towards Salt Lake after they were met by the rescuers with the supplies. Imagine trying to pull a handcart up this lovely rocky trail.

After spending some time at the Sweetwater Crossing, we traveled several miles up the road, in our comfortable van, and stopped at the Martin's Cove.


Martin's Cove is where the Martin Handcart Company were found stranded by the rescue party after they had given supplies to the Wille Company and told to go help the Martin Company. At first, they were stranded at Devil's Gate. But there were too many of them, so they had to walk to a different part of the area so everyone could fit and find shelter from the storm.

Named by the Indians, Devil's gate is where the Martin Co stopped nearby first and then with the assistance of the rescuers, the Martin Company took refuge in a sheltered pocket on the south side of the Sweetwater Mountains, now known as Martin’s Cove. 

 

To the right of Chase is where the Martin Co took refuge for 5 days from the storm until they could begin their journey again to Salt Lake. 

Here's part of the trail you walk on to get to Martin's Cove. It's about a 2 mile hike. It wasn't very easy to hike in the Wyoming wind. It was very hot and windy and we were hungry but had plenty of water. I just kept thinking the whole time we were walking the trail how hard it must of been for the pioneers because at this point, alot of them didn't have shoes left for their feet, they were still pulling handcarts, it was snowing and already there was a ton of snow on the ground, and they had to cross the Sweetwater River yet again so their clothes were wet. It was below zero plus with the windchill, it must have been unbearable.

Eric and Chase walking along the trail, to the left of them is Martin's Cove.

This was when we were more than half way done with the hike. Allie's not too happy at this point. The heat and wind were getting to her, but I really hope she remembers this experience throughout her life, that she got to walk where the pioneers walked. After about this point on, we had alot of fun walking back to the beginning of the trail. It's like a big 2 mile loop. We laughed at a bopping Chase on Eric's shoulders as they ran the rest of the way down the trail. We kept our eyes out for rattlesnakes, because their holes were everywhere. We dodged Elk poop around every bend, and we were happy to get to the end! 

When we finished the trail, the missionaries told us they were sorry because they had forgotten to tell us that Eric and I could have had the opportunity to pull Allie and Chase in a handcart on the 2 mile loop. I will always be glad they forgot to tell us because it was hard enough just walking on it!! Yipe!

The missionaries told us this marker was put in next to the bridge that we were currently crossing over when i snapped this picture. When the bridge was built, I think in the early 1990's but i'm not 100% sure, it was so that no one would ever have to cross the Sweetwater River again. When the Martin Co was told they would have to cross it again to seek shelter in the cove, many of them dropped to their knees at the thought of having to go through that ice cold water again, with all their belongings. They couldn't fathom doing it once again. At that moment, 5 men spoke up and volunteered to carry everyone that couldn't make it across. They crossed that river back and forth, all day long, in the bitter cold to get everyone safely across. They were heroes to so many that day.

 We left Martin's Cove that evening feeling very fulfilled by what we had just experienced and will never forget it.
That night we drove to Casper Wy and stayed the night. The next day, we arrived in the Black Hills of SD, which is where I fell in love with small town living. More on that tomorrow...