Heritage Gateways

Wendy Westergard Journals

June 26, 1997

Location: Rock Creek, Wyoming

Summary: slow rest day

Journal entry: Today was a rest day. Heber and Jon were supposed to wake me up to go on Rocky Rodge, but they forgot. I slept through everyone going. A fair amount of people didn't go, but most did. The sleep felt wonderful though.

It was a really low key where everyone just did their own thing. I lounged around with the Anderson's for the morning. Later a chatted with the younger teenage group after they had gotten back from horse back riding.

Later when everyone came back, around 2 pm, the rumor around camp was that there was a river about a half mile away from camp. Julie, Heber and I decided to go and take a bath in the river. We felt so dirty and it had been so long since we'd had a full-out shower.

We are in the middle of nowhere. If we want to go to a reasonable size town for supplies, we have to travel at least 1 1/2 hours in any direction in a car. We found a beautiful little pool with a rapid going though it. The mud was deep as we walked into the river and it felt heavenly on well used feet and ankles. It thinned out as we waded further into the river (with our clothes on). We washed both our clothes and our bodies. It felt great. I can't remember when a bath felt so good, except the last time I took a bath in the river. The funny thing is it usually feels like we have river or lake scum all over after being in either. This time it feels like I've taken a real bath.

Nance had her birthday tonight. She had 2 cakes and rootbeer floats, a real treat. Basically it was a big party. It helped to cheer everyone up.

I got to call home on a cellular phone and check in with the family. I hadn't done that for a LONG time. It was nice to let them how what I was doing, except through the Internet. I even got to talk to my great grandmother. I love my family. I never would have been able to do this trek without their help. I truly do appreciate the sacrifices they have gone through at home in order for everything to be okay when I return home. I am so grateful for my parents and the family I have been adopted into. They are my strength and inspiration. They mean the world to me. They are each special in their own special way. I learn new things from them all the time and take it into my daily life. I admire them and love them. Thanks guys!!!

I'm looking foward to them coming to visit me July 13th. I hope they love this as much as I do.