Martin's Cove

My Uncle John & Aunt Jean are on a mission at Martin's Cove in Wyoming where the pioneers took refuge from the stormy weather. They only have a couple months left so we knew we needed to go see them. My brother Blake & his wife Julie invited us along with our brother Ryan. We went up Friday night before Labor Day and stayed through Sunday morning. While I loathed the camping side of this trip, I'm really glad we went, it was a great experience for us all.

5 people, 1 car, 6 hour drive

My aunt & uncle have a nice little home on the site. I loved their sign by the front door, they truly have found joy in their journey as being missionaries at this historic site.

Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with John & Jean then toured around the site a bit. We saw the visitor's center, the blacksmith shop, and a few other places. Then we picked up a handcart and prepared to walk up to Martin's Cove.

The round trip walk was about 5 miles, we only had a handcart for a little over 2 of those miles.

After a mile we "parked" our handcart and walked up to Martin's Cove. It was a great experience and left me in awe knowing that the pioneers had been right in this very place. Only they were freezing and had very little to eat & wear. We heard some great stories about pioneers and just enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded this cove. Behind Logan & I is where the pioneers sought refuge from the freezing snow & chilling winds.

The trail had some beautiful spots along the way. Vacation for me doesn't normally include pushing a handcart, especially when I already did a trek as a teenager. But I am grateful we did it, it's always good to remember what our ancestors did for us.

At this point we were about to cross the river where the pioneers had to cross. The statues below depict the men who carried many many people across the river in the frozen water. The statues were probably my favorite part, it made it real for me to see what they went through. The top 2 pictures are of my favorite statue. It shows a man carrying a young boy and a baby wrapped in his jacket. What these men did was miraculous, their love for others is a true example of how we should strive to be.

This picture was taken from where the statues stand, that's our handcart and the river is the Sweet Water river where the pioneers crossed in the frozen water.

Half way through the trek we had a picnic lunch, which was delicious. You'd think the boys had never eaten with how much they loved every bit of food we brought!

After the trek we rested up a bit and had dinner. Then my aunt drove us to Independence Rock. All over the rock and along the way there are names carved out in the stone. Names that date back before the pioneers crossed the plains. It's pretty incredible to see.

I only ended up climbing part way but the boys climbed all the way up and all over the top.

Thank you so much to our aunt and uncle who treated us so well and showed us a really great time. I am so glad we went, it was really great to see where the pioneers had been and try to show some of our own gratitude to them for what they did.