The Lehi 34th Ward Pioneer Trek

June 6th-9th, 2012

       I've been in Utah for almost a week now, and it's already time to travel again.  My Aunt and Uncle invited me to go on a 28 mile pioneer handcart Trek with them and part of the Utah 34th Ward.  The hardest trial for me on this trek was overcoming the extreme weather in Utah.  Near the middle of the day, the weather was extremely dry and hot.  Some days it reached temperatures of about 87 degrees.  At night, however it was the complete opposite with bone-chilling 45 degree air blowing in around eight O'clock.  We roughed it like the pioneers that came before us did on their journeys across America. After everyone was settled, we huddled around a fire, told some good pioneering stories, and went to bed in our warm sleeping bags.

 Getting packed for the long journey ahead of us

 This was the "family" I was in for the trek, the Watsons' family.

 This is the Weddics' and Robbins' family

 The Ibarras

The Robbins'

    You'd be surprised at how a delicious array of food can cure all kinds of minor problems.  I couldn't imagine eating just flour like some of the real handcart pioneers did on their march out West.  Some Indians back then would run off all of the pioneers' cows and take other food supplies with them in their raids.  Fortunately, we didn't see any on our journey through Northern Utah.  All we had to look out for were the thousands of badger holes, and a cattle crossing every now and then.  Yep, we finished our journey with full bellies, sore and aching feet, hands and backs, but, most importantly, a better understanding of the trials that the pioneers overcame on their 1,200 mile journey to Utah. 

Adventure Running

In order to get ready for becoming a collegiate athlete for UVU, I've spent a lot of this Summer coming up with new places to run.  I'm at 90 miles this week, and going up to 100 miles next week.  That's about 16 miles a day!  It's my last year of running, though, so I gotta make it count.  Most of these pictures are from places around Eagle Mountain.  I got a small case of the shin splints on Monday, so I'm running on the dirt for the next two weeks.

Tuesday, Day 1

 That mountain behind me looks tall enough.

 This is the peak of that mountain.  I found some deer antlers near the peak, so I grabbed them.  

Wednesday, Day 2

This picture has the Eagle Mountain amphitheater in the background.  

Conquering the Monte Cristo and Cascade peaks

This is the top of Monte` Cristo.  Look at that view!

Tony and I found a cave on our way up to to the top. It looks like a house, but I don't think anyone made it.  

That "house" was very hard to climb onto.  It's a good thing me and Tony are experts.  

The wind started blowing really hard.  

That's why my eyes are closed.

I tried to pet a cow, but it ran away.  :(

The rock wanted to crush me!  

This was Tony's pose.  I think it looks like he's taking a crap.  

This picture was taken from the top of Cascade.  It's a sheer cliff drop at the top.  The tip, where I'm standing, is just as steep as that cliff over there.  Tony said that I ought to bobsled down that, but I think I'm good.  

These ladybugs were all over the top of the mountain.  I smashed some of them with rocks.  

This picture was taken next to UVU.

Tell me what you like about the post, and

Check back this Saturday for more.

Zions Young Men Camp

I went to a Camp called Zions Camp this past week from Monday to Saturday.  The group I went down with had a lot of fun.  The first day of camp, we went hiking through a downpour of rain  (A rare occurrence in Utah nowadays).  On day two, we went boating, and saw a rescue helicopter fly overhead.  Day three was archery and shotgun shooting day.  Last, but not least we went to the Manti temple on day four.  If I were to pick one day that meant the most to me, I'd say it was Friday, when we visited the temple.  Sports and thrills are fun and all, but they don't have nearly as much meaning as the temple trip did.  I'm really glad I went on this camp with the 34th Ward. 

 

This is the Life-flight copter pictured here with my friend, Caden.

My friend, Kysen, is a pretty good knife-thrower.

This little guy lived a foot above our tent.

Everything got soaked on Saturday after a downpour of rain swept in. 

Our Campsite

It took us a while to get out of the mud on Saturday morning. 

This is the lake we fished from

My counselor Brother Atwood

Hangin' out around camp carving hiking sticks

The line for dinner was pretty long.

Our dinner

 

 My friend Logan

Manti

Moving to Utah

Since my family and I will be moving to Highland, Utah sometime around the end of May, I'll be attending a High school called the American Fork Cavemen. I'll be getting a new coach and a new team to work with over the next few years or so.  It'll be a huge change for all of us.  This upcoming week will mark the beginning of another new year for us in a different city, going to a different school, with different people, but with family there waiting for us to arrive.  This Summer is going to be action-packed. 

American Fork has one top-notch running program. The boys Cross-Country team has been ranked #6 out of the past 8 years in the Southwest United States.  But, what is a team without the coach?  The American Fork Cavemen's coach, Timo Mostert, has been the CC coach for about 14 years.  He 'was recognized as the "Utah Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year" in 2010 by the NFHS', and has coached the Cavemen's CC team to 3 State Championships since he started in 1998.  For more information visit this site.

Coach Mostert

Last year, American Fork's Cross-Country team finished first in their Region.  They went to State with high expectations, and brought home exactly what they were after:  A State Championship.  I can't wait to get out there in the mix with all these big-time runners!  This upcoming year is going to be awesome! 

American Fork's Region Meet

I have a lot to look forward to with all but three of these guys coming back next year for another run for State.  They are seen here posing for last year's close State Championship victory over Davis High School in 2011. I'll see about helping them next year, starting by increasing my mileage workout for the rest of May.  When I get out to Utah, I'll see what new plans my coach will have laid out for the season.  For more information about the American Fork Cross Country team, visit Coach Mostert's blog.  The kickoff race will be on August 25th at the High School.  And so...   it begins.