TREK 2016

Trek is over. After almost a year of preparation, and gearing up for the journey, it is finished. I am still trying to process it: both spiritually and physically. At the current moment, I am also processing a ton of pictures and videos. For me, my assignment as the videographer/photographer has approached the climax. I am sifting through thousands of images, and hundreds of minutes of footage, to try and piece together a video for the upcoming fireside. I have been working on it constantly, pretty much since we returned home. I thought I would take a break and blog, since it has been a while. 

The amount of effort that goes into putting together a Pioneer Youth Trek is amazing. There are leaders called almost 2 years in advance to work out all the logistics, and form committees so that things will run as smoothly as possible. This year I was able to catch a small glimpse of the work that goes into putting on such a large production, as I sat in on the committee meetings. The efforts of volunteers who spend their time organizing transportation, food, music, and putting all the details together was phenomenal to observe. There were around 300 people on our Trek to keep track of, and prepare for. Every detail was attended to with thought and care. I stand amazed at those who put Trek together. My heart is full of gratitude for their efforts! 

Our journey began last Wednesday night. We met at the church and brought all of the gear to load on the trucks. The youth had a list of items they were allowed (no electronics) and had to pack everything into a bucket.

 Daniel hanging out with some friends, ready to go!

Sammi passed the bucket inspection. 

Loading up the food truck. 

Each handcart had two water jugs to keep everyone well hydrated. 

They kept track of belongings by company colors. 

Some helpful boys loading up all the buckets. 

Daniel and friends. Thursday morning, before leaving. 

 

We gathered at the church before loading the buses. There was a very brief devotional before taking off. (They gave me permission to take a picture in the chapel!)

Ready to go! 

 It was quite the bus load of people!

 I wonder if the bus drivers thought we were crazy?

Once we got to our handcarts, it was time to climb! We started going straight uphill. I was not with a handcart family, I was free to roam and wander as I pleased this time. But I went on the whole journey, often walking off-trail in the sage and thistles to get the shots I wanted. My socks were always covered in goat-head type things. That was fun. 

Since this is my family blog, I will put pictures of Sammi and Daniel. I had to try and avoid focusing on them too much. I actually did not take a ton of pictures, I was on video most of the time. I think I have about 2500 pictures, give or take. My other photographers have way more than that, so that will be fun for them to go through. 

The adults involved were so fun. I got to travel around to different families and chat with a bunch of people I had never met before. That was a huge perk of being a photographer. 

 We camped in tents. The first night was really rough for me. I did not bring a sleeping pad. I was not able to sleep at all, even though I was so tired. The second night, the medical staff was kind enough to lend me a cot. Thank goodness!

There were so many hills on our journey. On our last Trek the hills seemed more gradual, there was never a time when rope was needed to pull up or down. I thought this Trek route was far superior to the last one in every way. It was more challenging, more beautiful, and more fun!

Sammi mentioned how much she enjoyed having a "Pa" again. Apparently he was a funny guy with a great personality, and he kind of looked like Charles -- not exactly, but enough. The youth were put in families with a Ma and Pa, and they spent most of their time working, playing, and eating together. It was so great watching people get along, that might not normally hangout together. 

 They camped as families too. That was a nice change. Last time we were divided down the middle between boys and girls.

 The food committee was tremendous. I do not envy their job. They did so much to prepare and make the whole thing possible. The time and energy that went into it... crazy! It was all volunteer time. We had a lot of watermelon, and it tasted so good!

This was a fun hill. They ran down, and then up again right after.

We were all so dirty. I was sneezing blackness out of my nose for days after. It was super dusty, and there was thick smoke from a nearby fire.

 A talented Ma making flower-crowns.

 Blisters were very common. There was a medical crew along to tend to every need.

 The Ma and Pa's were fantastic. It made Trek fun.

 Here I am with Lydia, my other photographer. She used to babysit Sammi and Daniel when she was 12, and now she is a beautiful woman! It was so fun to spend time with her, and get to know her even better. Notice the backpack I am carrying. That was one thing I was not prepared for. I never haul stuff on my back when I run, it was different. It was full of camera gear, and a camelback full of water. It was with me all the time. It felt so good to take that thing off at the end of each day.

This is the Stake Presidency, they were all there the whole time. The Kenyons, on the far left, were in charge of putting Trek together. One thing I found fantastic was how these men and women are leaders in the church, and yet, they were down doing the dirtiest of work in serving others. It is a beautiful thing. I have so much love for these wonderful people.

 Gathering for a devotional.

 Pictures just do not capture the hills.

 Beautiful hair

Walking through the forest was my favorite part of the journey. It was so peaceful, and heavenly.

The nearby Pioneer fire made the air really nasty. It was just across the valley from where we camped. 

Some silly boys... 

 We drank out of cups, often filled with dust. No one cared. The water felt so good going down. It got pretty hot throughout the day, but it was the dust in the air that was really yucky.

Everyone focused on hydration. There were only a few who had to go home because of heat-exhaustion.

 Beautiful berries

 Gathering as a family

We were lucky it was not the intense heat we had on the last Trek. Sometimes there would be a cool breeze. My prayers were answered. It was hot enough for sure, but not unbearable.

 Gathering for food

What a bunch of good people... the future is bright. 

Check out my legs. That took a while to scrub off. Oh, and my shoes were awesome. They were super comfortable, and I highly recommend them for tromping around in the woods. I was able to just go smashing through the nasty stuff on the side of the trail.

 A new found friend

 Seriously, look at how beautiful the forest was.

 The food people preparing for pancakes.

 Sammi waiting with her family.

 Being sprayed with water felt great.

 Me and Lydia again.

 Daniel stayed in the front of the cart the whole time. He is just built for it. It is in his blood.

 They shared the miracle of the pie story, and served up pie.

 Climbing the hills

 I love this shot.

 I trained the kids for Trek. The training really paid off. I would take them up steep hilly courses, and I would have them push the stroller up and downhill. It was worth the effort. They both did great, and had so much fun. It was still hard, but they were mentally prepared for the hardness of it.

 Taking off in the morning.

 A pit stop for lunch

This is my other photographer, Emily. I met her for the first time the morning we left, and then spent the next few days sharing a tent and getting to know her. Trek makes for fast friendships.

 Lydia capturing a closeup.

 More blisters... this was the best one I saw...

 I watched the whole process, but will only share the non-graphic images.

 Yeah, it gets nasty from here on out... but the medical staff was terrific.

 The smoke made for some beautiful imagery.

 Sammi as happy as can be.

 The valley was quite beautiful.

The medical tent followed us along the journey. There was a vehicle that follow the wagon-train just in case of emergencies. There were loads of blisters, chaffing, and a few had heat exhaustion.

No pain, no gain, right? I can only imagine what the real Pioneers feet looked like.

 A beautiful resting spot. We would press forward, and then take small breaks along the way for water, and snacks when needed.

At the end of the day there was time for fun and dancing. After all that walking, it was time to rejoice!

Dancing with blistered feet, what could be better? 

The sun setting in the dust was awesome.

One of my favorites 

They were kicking up a dust storm, but did not seem to mind. 

It was gross and awesome at the same time. 

 The scenery would change throughout the days. It made the journey exciting.

The Women's Pull 

I do not have many pictures of the Women's pull, because I had to operate the video camera the whole time. It is an interesting event. There are so many lessons to be learned, I think I will save it for another blog post. I am still trying to process the lessons I learned from it. For now, I will just say that hill was steep! And women are phenomenal. So much more to come later... in another post. 

During the women's pull, Daniel was at the top ready to grab the carts and haul them out of the way. He had to take a minute and step away though, because he said he had to compose himself after letting the tears fly. He did not like watching the women struggle, and not be able to help them. Good boy, Daniel. Good boy.

 It was pretty dry where we were, but I have heard that it is absolutely beautiful in the Spring.

 I love this picture.

 Classic image.

 Just keep walking...

 I just love the way handcarts look.

Here is some of the staff who helped put things together. 

The bus ride home was awful. The bus driver did not want us to have our windows down because of the dust. I felt like death. Really, it was so bad, and then one by one, we had to put our windows down, so we did not pass out, or vomit. It really was that bad. As soon as the windows went down, everyone perked up, it was almost funny how instant it was. 

Home. We smelled so bad. And we had dirt everywhere. But it felt good. We all survived, and thrived, and my kiddos wanted it to last forever. I think, however, it is time to retire my Trek shirt. I wore it on the last Trek too, and, well, I think I managed to permanently infuse the pits with sweat and grit. 

Look how white my shirt once was... :) Oh, and I sure did miss traveling with that handsome man next to me. But he was with me in spirit. I made sure to wear the special hat he got me. It made him feel close. 

And his best buddy, Tyson, wore his shirt... 

And Daniel, well, he was walking for Charles... wearing his hat, suspenders, and pants. He pretty much looked just like him from behind. He would scare me sometimes, as he was tromping around camp. 

Oh man, Charles was so dang good-looking. Just saying. I sure miss that face. ;) 

Trek has been such a blessing for the van Ormer family. It was a pleasure to be involved with Trek for a second time. I hope to do it again someday.