Heritage Gateways

Letters of Encouragement to the Pioneers

Apr 3 - May 23 | May 23 - Jun 30 | Jul 1 - Jul 15 | Jul 15 - Aug 13

May 23 - June 30, 1997

May 23, 1997

Rebecca wrote:

What a great and emotion-provoking writer this Pam Wilkinson is!! I hope we hear more from her. Can you tell her I thank her from the bottom of my heart for walking the path my two English grandmothers walked and telling me what it is like.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this most wonderful web site to experience this incredible re-enactment.

[Margaret,] I can feel them through your writings. Indeed, "They are here." What a beautiful poem.

Also, you must be feeling better or in less pain, because your writings are getting more descriptive and reflective. They just get better every day. I do not wonder that it had something to do with being blessed with the power of the priesthood and the prayers of so many "followers."

I had to copy your description with your poem for my family and friends who do not yet know how to find treasures on the internet. Thank you.

Carol wrote:

Hi. We are looking for some blueprings/plans for building a handcart for our students to use in a re-enactment of the pioneer trek thus summer. Do you know of anywhere that there are plans we could use to help us in building a handcart?

Kathy replies: As a matter of fact, do we have a deal for you. Steve Pratt has allowed us to post his book of handcart blueprints! If you spend some time poking around our site, you'll find some pretty interesting stuff.

June 3, 1997

Jerry wrote:

Thanks for the tremendous coverage of the re-enactment of the Mormon Pioneer Trek. It is a tremendous educational opportunity and you have done an admirable job of conveying that opportunity to a host of people throughout the world. Your coverage of the event has been more comprehensive and more timely than any of the other media or internet efforts. The human interest coverage of your correspondents has been extremely interesting as well as educational.

I will continue to follow the progress of the trek daily so I can see what kind of experience is being enjoyed by my teamster friend, Jack Roberts. Thanks again! Jerry Howell

Kim Grant wrote:

What has happened? I have been following your Journal. Now you have stopped. I havn't heard again thing since the 26th of May. I hope that things are alright. We will be joining the trek today. We will be at the campsite in Henry. I'm the only member I can see in my history. For I have gone back in some lines the 1600's. I'm now 35 years old. As one of my Projects I'm doing this trek and making a book. I have copied all of your journal for my book. I will be putting my journal and pictures in this book as well as my husband's and children's.

We had friends on this trek about a week ago. They were Mike Ward, Brother Jackson - he is 74 years old and helped pull the handcarts too. We are so proud of him. Plus Elder Bliss and Brother Jackson's grandson. They said they would love to give me their journals and pictures too. I think this will be a once in a life time change. We are so honored to go. My husband ancestors made this jouney 15 years later. So my children have a heritage. I look at it as I'm the first in my family and somewhere in the history books I will be the pioneer. I know this will be hard but not has hard as the pioneers had it. But in someways it is the same. Well I guess I better let you go. Can't wait to meet you.

June 4, 1997

the Hills wrote:

This message is for the Rich and Kim Running Family, walking June 2-5. We have thought of you often the past few days and wonder how you are doing. We are proud of Amanda(8), Ryan(6) and Christopher(3) for joining the trek. We love you and pray for you and the others in the Pioneer Trek. We also send our congradulations to Brent and Amy!! It has been fun following your engagement over the internet.

June 5, 1997

Jeff wrote:

Hi Dan. I just read some of your journal (hope you don't mind), and I thought I'd send you a quick message. It sounds like you're having a good time. What's the best thing about being on the trek? What's the hardest thing? Do you ever get tired of just walking and walking and walking over endless prairie? Did you get to Chimney Rock yet? What do you think about all day? Do you miss home?

I guess the pioneers probably had some of the same problems that you are all facing. They missed their homes a lot, I'm sure, and I'll bet they got tired of the same thing every day. It's pretty amazing that you and your family are doing this. I drove across Nebraska and Wyoming a couple of years ago--it's a long ways. Thanks for having the courage and strength to walk all that way--it helps people like me to remember what other people did for us a long time ago, and remembering what they did helps us to try hard today. I've thought a lot lately about all that my ancestors went through to cross the plains. As I've thought about all of their sacrifice, I've wondered if I am sacrificing enough and doing enough today. I've been given a lot more than the pioneers had, but am I doing as much with what I have as they did with what they had?

I hope all is going well. Have fun. Tell Courtney hi. Is she still walking with your family? She was my neighbor until she left to go on the trek. She's pretty cool--has she told you any stories? She's got some good ones--make her tell you them sometime. See ya later. Keep it up.

Chuck wrote:

Dear ones on the Mormon trail--- I have just started reading your journal entries. Our prayers and encouragement go with you. I noted that on May 2-3 you passed through Chapman, Nebraska. It was the town my mother was born and grew up in. There are many happy memories of that town. My grandfather took me to the Platte River to fish. We knew nothing of the Church or the Mormon trail then. One by one our family joined the church. My mother attended the Baptist Church where you visited. Our cousins wrote of their experience with you. Perhaps you remember them: Loren, Barbara, Rich, and Pam Ogden. I it did as much for them as for you. God bless you in your journey. You are doing much good. Your journey is sending a wave of goodness and peace to all in your path. Your courage and sacrifice are qualities these hard-working, rugged people can relate to. Thank you.

Dorothy of San Jacinto Academy wrote:

Couldn't find the Encouragement link so may I use this to send Love to the dear new friends on the trail. Also special thanks to those who set up the WWW so we could all participate. You on the trail are an inspiration to so many of us who are following your progression. The picts we get to see are of blue skyes and straight roads with music and naration, no heat no rain sore feet and aching bodies. We will never be able to feel the spirit of the pioneers like you who are there, reading the old journals by the markers and landmarks where they origionated. By the way marshmellows are a good thing.

I know many of you have made great personal sacrifices to make the trek. I can tell you are being rewarded for your sacrafice.

I would like to thank my son in law David Herterich of Hemet CA. whose hard work has made it possible for my Daughter Kimberly and their four children to participate. Happy trails to them and happy 15th birthday to Arianna and 41st to Kimberly the 6th and 7th of June. We will be there to greet you with bells on when you arrive in SLC. Love from San Diego Grandma and Mom

June 6, 1997

Dixie wrote:

We just arrived home from spending the weekend from Scottsbluff to Mitchell with you wonderful modern-day pioneers. The three days we spent were a highlight in our lives. My name is Dixie Conger and I came with my two daughters, Julia and Jennifer and my sister-in-law and her daughter, Dayna Conger and son Joel Conger. I talked to B.C.--also I know Virginia (tell her I'm Grant Carter from St. George--his cousin) Maybe she'll remember. Joseph helped me walk into camp last Saturday that we walked from 19-23 miles and I thought I wouldn't make it. We helped pull the number one handcart with--was it Joe--that is helping a sister with the handcart?

I can see why we should not only be in awe regarding our ancestors, but our prayers should be directed towards you modern-day pioneers, too--you are amazing to go day after day. My daughters want to come back and plan to before Independence Rock. I can see why the Wagon Train is magical...as hard as it is. The Spirit is present--that's why it's such a splendid feeling there.

On the way home we drove home over the trail and visited all the sights. You have some great places yet to visit. Thanks!!! Dixie Conger

Karen wrote:

Hi, I am enjoying following the trek through the eyes of Margaret, Brent, Osamu, Wendy and Dan. I have missed hearing from them lately and was worried that something might have happened to Margaret, who usually had an entry every day. From the June 2nd entry I am assuming that they are just having computer and phone problems? Hopefully they are all O.K. I feel that I have come to know the journalists through their entries and wish that I could be there with them. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!

Kathy responds: We're working to solve the cell service problem. For now, we're getting the entries through the US Postal Service. Hoepfully soon this will be resolved.

John and Lauri wrote:

We'd like to pass our love and encouragement to our Uncle Grant Packard, who is with the re-enactment company. If we didn't have to make a living, we'd be there with you. We're spending July on the trail from Palmyra to Salt Lake, including stops in Kirtland, Jackson County, Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, and the trail...but, unfortuantely, in our van. God bless you...from the John and Lauri Barger family, Great Falls, Montana.

Lynda Durfee wrote:

I supposed many people have already told you that courtship on the trail 130-150 years ago was quite common. I guess when you're with someone the better part of your waking hours, you get to know him/her pretty well--including all the strengths and shortcomings. My great-great-grandfather, Daniel Robison, was captain of the 9th Handcart Co., which left Florence June 6, 1860 and arrived in the valley on August 27. One couple was married on the trail, and five other couples who met in the handcart company were married after they reached the valley--some within days of their arrival. Having suffered through such hardships together, they must have been well-prepared for whatever lay ahead. Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes for the future. Lynda Durfee

P.S. By the time they had been on the trail about two months, some people were starting to get pretty tired and cranky. I guess there is such a thing as TOO much togetherness. Think of some of those family vacations you probably took by car, with the kids asking "where are we going?", "when are we going to get there?", "are we there yet?" etc. Also, lots of "I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty". I suppose pioneer parents went through the same thing. Anyway, keep up your spirits and good luck!

Julie Ann Larson wrote:

My best to you all. I think about you daily. I live in the past and the present through your efforts. I have great grandfathers and grandmothers who came in the original wagon train, and later ones. I wish so much that I could be there with you. Thanks for all your journal entries. We read them every night. Today I picked berries at a farm nearby our home. My thoughts went to all of you. I would love to share them with you. Keep up the faith. I look forward to meeting you at the Salt Lake Valley on July 22nd. The Lord bless and keep you.

June 7, 1997

Lowell asks:

What day did Margaret write about the experience with the Porta Pottie episode in volving "Granny"? I wanted to refer to it again and have been unable to locate it.

Kathy responds: It was May 10th, a day that will live in hilarity...You can see all of the entry here.

June 9, 1997

Kathy and Robert wrote:

Dear Margaret,
I have been reading your journal and following the wagon train ever since we got home. We were lucky enough to be there in Omaha Sat and Sun and to travel with you on the first day Monday April 19. That was all our life would allow but my heart is with you and I'm traveling with the train via you and the other journal writers. It is probably easy for me to say this from my comfortable home in Dayton Ohio but please don't be to discouraged. You are doing a wonderful thing. I laugh and cry with you. All of my family lines came across the plains! I owe everything to them. I feel of their spirit through your writing. I hope some day we all have a wondeful reunion on the other side. What they walked for and endured for is true and if we follow their examples with faith in our every footstep no matter how painful we will be together some day.

If I had been in a different family situtation I would have wanted to do the same as you. My children are 5, 3, 1 and one due in 3 months. I wasn't in a place to leave them or even take them along on the entire trip. I regale my family with the stories I'm reading and my 5 year old often asks how the pioneers are doing.

A sister, Marilyn Wells and her family (husband Christian, sons Jordan, Jared and Jeremy) will join you for a couple of days in July. They have been following also. I will add your child that needs both parents to my prayer list. I feel for you. I also feel greatly for Kimberly (from Calif.) who found she could not walk, move her car, set up camp, cook for her four children, shop, clean and everything else and who finally gave up the walking.

If you personally get this message please pass on to her my love and support. She made a good and wise decision to give up something she wanted for herself in order to help her children. I doubt she will remember me but we are the family that camped next to her and Douglas Laws (from Chicago) those first two nights. I also think of Doug and hope he is doing well. I hope he still wants to go the distance and that everything will work out for him.

I thank all those support people that help get your journal on the air. I was lonely those days that they were having trouble sending things out. Thank-you all for what you are doing and for allowing the world to share in your joys and pains. I would give anything to be there in Salt Lake when you get in. What a party you will have. Please continue to write it up so that we here in Ohio can live it through you.

with love and encouragment, Kathy and Robert Graham

Lowell wrote:

Pass our gratitude along to Margaret Clark for her inspirational and wonderful accounts of her journey. We surely petition the Lord for blessings in her behalf for such a wonderful person to undertake such ajourney and furnish us with the reports she does. We are truly feeling th spirit that she radiates about the pioneers and the experiences that both they and she have experienced.

June 10, 1997

Craig wrote:

Konnichi wa! This is Craig McBeth. What a surprise to find you are on the trek. How are you enjoying the trek? Have you had much rain? I work with the son of Jury and Marjean Toone who are along the trek selling souveniers. Please tell them hello as well. Ganbatte Kuddasai!

Art wrote:

Dear Brother Osamu, I just finished reading your journal entries today and felt I should write. You must be very adventurous to take your family on a trek like this, in a foreign country, not unlike many of the original pioneers. I felt during the lunch hour it took to read your journal that I was there with you and your wonderful family. Cows or no cows, I can tell you are a man of great dignity. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. Best Regards, Art

June 11, 1997

Annette wrote:

Margaret,
Thank you for the great write up on my folks, Gene and Opal Layman. I have been watching for their picture and article for some time now on your web site. I wish Dad would have told me sooner that I could have E mail them "Howdies" once in a while especially on Dad's birthday and on Mother's Day. I haven't heard from them since they left the train, but that is to be expected since they are probably real busy getting caught up on their domestic chores now. I will continue to peek in on the TREK with my kids, plus now that I know where you are, I may have my students, who are still in school until June 20th, search your web site. I am a teaching assistant in Federal Way school dist. and my 5th grade class did American History this year. If the internet gets back up at our school, we may have opportunities to peek in.

Keep up the good work.
Annette Hinckley

Steve wrote:

Where did all the diaries go? I was reading Margaret Clark daily. Those accounts meant a lot to me. Sincerely hope they return soon. God bless you for the wonderful work you are doing to enable us armchair adventurers to participate vicariously in the reenactment.

Christine wrote:

Thank you so much for your strenght and endurance while you pound out the miles towards the valley and the hugh throng of people who will be anxiously awaiting the trek's arrival on july 22.

I seldom read from the journals that I do not weep. I suppose if I was with you, I would be crying constantly and the wagon master would just stick a barrel under my face for drinking water!!
Carry on Carry on !!!!! Christine in Jerome , Idaho

June 12, 1997

Terry wrote:

Howdy... you're getting closer. I was out on the Green River today. It is very high and very fast. The bugs are something else... bring lots of repellent. It's been raining every day with no relief in sight. We even had a twister near Rock Springs. Be careful.

Welcome to Wyoming.
Terry

Carol Lee wrote:

Wow--what a great new site!!! Thanks for all your hard work.

June 14, 1997

Steve wrote:

I sent an e-mail to you last week asking where the Margaret Clark (and others) postings had gone. You kindly responded telling me where and giving me some idea of the difficulty they were having in making the posting. I can believe it. I didn't even know that cell phones worked in western Nebraska or Wyoming outside of big cities. I appreciate your response.

I would really like to communicate with [Margaret]. Is there any where that she can tap into e-mail? What I would like to tell her is how much I am enjoying her diaries. I read them faithfully. They are well done and an inspiration. Recently I gave a talk in a ... meeting about "Faith in Every Footstep," but focused less on the 1847 migration than I did on the reenactment and what it should mean to us today. Here I relied almost entirely on [Margaret's] postings. The most touching part of the meeting is when I read the poem she wrote on 1 May and the one on 20 May. There was not a dry eye in the building. I'll bet that when [she] penned those lines she never thought they would be affecting people ... all across the land. I know this journey has been hard for her, but in my opinion the blessing she is bring to all the rest of us is immeasurble in its worth. I hope she feels her sacrifice is worth it. And I hope she is able to continue the journey. If you know of a place to post this message where she will find it, please do. Thanks.

Kathy G wrote:

If someone wanted to meet the train in SLC what is the best time to do that? On July 22 at This Is The Place or in SLC at the parade on the 24th? I'm assuming the wagon train will participate in the big parade. I have been following their progress daily and they have become such a part of my life that I would really like to join in welcoming them into The Valley. Any advice on good travel arrangements?

Thank you for all your hard work in getting their journals onto the net so I could follow them.

Kathy responds: See Margaret's invitation. She recommends walking from the 'This is the Place Monument' to the City/County building with the train on the 23rd of July.

June 16, 1997

Jessi wrote:

Hey-
I'm Jessi and love the Oregon Trail. I have both the CD rom games, about 7 dresses from back then,all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the map of the Oregon Trail, and I have the American Girl, Kirsten Larson. Even though she really didn't ride the Oregon Trail I still pretend. I just LOVE the Oregon Trail and everthing about it. My best friend Kelsey took me with her and her family on part of the Oregon Trail. And when she sleeps over here or I sleep over there I bring the dresses and we play th Oregon Trail. I wanted to go on the Oregon Trail trip but I couldn't Please E-mail me back and tell how it feels to be on the Oregon Trail and to relive the past.
Thank You, Jessica, Age 12

Roland and Carol wrote:

We want to express our gratitude again to Margaret. Would you please send this on to her? She will probably never know how much we appreciate what she is doing. There must be thousands of others who feel the same way.

Margaret, IT IS SUCH A FEAST TO READ YOUR JOURNALS! After we came home to Arizona from Lisco, Nebraska, (last of May) we had a week or so when no journals came through the internet. That's when you had all that rain to deal with. 3 to 6 inches in one day! YIKES!

We were glad to again hear from you on June 9th to know that you are basically alright and to catch up on your activities.

Pam, I've thought of you so many times and the special experience it was for us to have you out to the Lisco farm for the evening of May 27th. (In a recent letter to us, my Uncle said the 4 robin eggs have hatched now and his yard is full of bunny rabbits. :-)

I would very much liked to have had you, Margaret, come to the farm also. We were touched by your journal wherein you told about Pam's sore feet and the shoes the man gave her and "he walked away without shoes." We are touched over and over--again & again- by the stories you write of your many experiences. We are grateful for your awareness, and grateful for your ability (and tenacity) to put those experiences down on paper so we can read and share vicariously! thanks. thanks.

I am still xeroxing each journal and sending many of them to our 7 md children---from Connecticut to California---and I'm also sharing with 7 of our close neighbors and also a few lucky friends. I guess you can tell that I--WE feel real lucky to read your journals.

Your June 5th Torrington-Ft. Laramie description of "30 miles for the walkers" had both of us in tears.

You broaden our vision and appreciation of those handcarters of yesteryear. [...]

We salute you...Margaret and Pam, and others we know by name only. We love you for the sacrifices you are making....in our behalf. We identify with you. You are in our prayers. We are with you, in our thoughts, as you travel. We cannot ease your painful feet, but YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. And when you come into the valley, though we are in Gilbert, Arizona, WE WILL BE WITH YOU.
God Bless!

Anne wrote:

I read this morning that the trek is difficult and at times feels lonely and you (this refers to Kathy Stickel's comment "It helps for us to be reminded that people know that we're out here and they care about us."). Know that there are people who know and DO care and literally live from one day to the next, waiting to see how and what you all are doing. I can't believe how emotional I feel, reading what is shared. You are doing a great thing and I thank you. Sincerely, Anne Ch., Provo, UT

June 17, 1997

Kathy Graham wrote:

I'm so glad your family is there with you. What a great day you and your girls, especially had that first day. What a challenge for everyone. I'm cheering all of your family on as hard as I was you. Thank you for letting me be a part of all of this. Thanks for helping the family of four from Arizona, my home state. I love you and pray for you nightly. Happy walk trekking!!!

We are the young family that tented next to Doug Laws those first two days in Miller Park in Omaha. We enjoyed our one and only day of riding and ever since we have had to return to our Dayton Ohio home I have been following the trek through the e-mail journals.... Your days sound really tough. I walked an easy, flat three miles yesterday on pavement pushing our 19 month old Lexy in a stroller and while I didn't get blisters I was plenty sweaty and tired. I thought of all of you walking 20-30 miles in one day and on one hand was grateful I wasn't doing that but on the other hand I was walking with you in spirit.

I laugh and cry and I read the journal entries and I have been surprised at how much they have affected me. I talk to everyone constantly about all of you. ... I will try to send word if I fly out to Utah and maybe we can meet on June 23 as you walk the last distance from This Is The Place park to the city council building. I've been told by the people running this e-mail link that that may be the best place to welcome you in. Lots of luck and God speed, each and every day. Kathy Graham

Don wrote:

When are you going to post updated maps? We are still looking at May 23 to June 7. Other than that, this is the best Website on the Web. It is so beautiful and useful. We are docents at the Deseret Village State Park, and will be joining the trek at Bear River Crossing, and pulling a handcart into the valley, July 12-22. We are really looking forward to it, and have benefited greatly from the information on this site.

June 19, 1997

Merry from the Lakewood Library wrote:

Nancy, saw your pictures...Go Girl! We miss you! Everyone at Y.Y.N. & H. and Merry of the library, too!. Is the handcart as heavy as it looks?

Ron Andersen (our resident history expert) wrote:

Drove to Independence Rock with my brother, Welden. Got there at 1:30 A.M., slept in the car until 4:45 A.M. Took pictures and visited with wagon train participants until 6:45 P.M.

It's brutal out there. I have utmost respect for the participants, especially the walkers, and those without RV and other support vehicles. Got back at 12:30 A.M. this morning and will leave Friday for the trail and will be back late the 28th.

I talked very shortly with Wendy and B.C. I couldn't find Danny or Margaret. It's not easy to do. There are bodies, animals, support vehicles, and people EVERYWHERE. These people are beginning to hit the wall (marathon) talk, or "See the Elephant" (in trail history talk). They are at 6,000 feet elevation and will soon be over 7,000 at South Pass. It's still too far from Salt Lake City to begin the sprint for home. I'll be in touch when I return.
Ron

June 20, 1997

Ilene wrote:

Dear wagon trail folks,
I so enjoy following the trials of the trail on the internet. Thank you for hanging in there and continuing to keep us updated. I so hope to be able to see all of you soon. Tell Doug, Ted, Gordon and Pam hello from Ilene. Thank you for the card Kinberly, you are my heroine. Margaret you are a women I want to always stay in touch with! I think of you all everyday and pray for you. My friends the Garffs are joining you soon. I love you all.
Love Ilene

Welden wrote:

Here are a couple of GIF images of you and Amy and a shot of the group at the Mormon Cemetary Visitors Center.

Welden Andersen - LDS Photo Services

Two families wrote:

We just got back from Wyoming where we were riders on the pioneer trek. My parents are from ILL & I am from ID and we met on the trail. We just wanted to write to let you know how much we have enjoyed reading the information on your site. It was a great experience and we thought the modern wagon train pioneers were doing a great job. Thanks for the good work you are doing. Sincerely,
Rob Oakes Family
Larry Oakes Family.

Vince asked:

I heard that not all the trekkers will be able to participate in the Day's of 47 parade. What a shame but I know there are many who travelled just part of the way.

Is it certain that everyone who travelled the entire route will be included in the parade?

[The latest information we have is that 5 wagons will be included in the parade. About 30 have gone the distance. None of the full-distance walkers will be included.]

The letter below from Mike in Fort Collins, Colorado, addressed to the editor of the Deseret News, was forwarded to the Heritage Gateways web site.

My family was extremely disappointed to hear that only 5 wagons would represent the Mormon Trail Wagon Train in the Days of 47 Parade. I think [the] president of the parade, is unaware of the broad enthusiasm the wagon has nation wide.

Hundreds from our community of Fort Collins, Colorado walked a day with the wagon train as a part of a handcart company. Front page articles have appeared in most of the newspapers in Colorado, including our local paper.

Our family walked with a handcart company for a day and experienced in a small way what the pioneers had to endure. We had so many life enriching experiences in that one day, I count this as one of the single most rewarding days of my life.

Full time members of the wagon train have sacrificed much and have unselfishly allowed families like ours to be a part of their adventure and memorial. We have made plans to attend the Days of 47 Parade to yell our brains out for the heros who have walked and traveled the entire trail. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

The wagon train is the reason we would come to Salt Lake over the 24th. Others from Fort Collins have similar plans. We do not want to cancel our trip. We hope the parade committee will change their minds.

[The president of the parade]'s concerns, I believe, are unfounded. The entertainment value is extremely high, we are cheering heros. The day we walked with the wagon train, people lined the streets of the town as we entered. They cheered for us, clapped, and shouted encouraging words. That was just a taste of what those great modern day pioneer travelers can expect as they parade in Salt Lake.

The wagons and handcarts will not slow the parade down. These people know how to walk. We traveled at close to three miles per hour the day we were with the train. We tenderfeet day trippers slowed up the full time walkers. [He] was worried about breakdowns. He has to be kidding. After a thousand miles on trails, the flat smooth streets of Salt Lake will be no obsticle.

Get with the spirit. Every full time walker, handcart puller, horseman, and wagon driver should be in that parade. The wagon train will be the highlight.
Mike Gebhardt

Robert Salazar wrote:

dan this is colton. i will be at the parade when you get back.

well audioce amigos

Brad wrote:

HI, This is Brad Hamblin, from last week at Denny's.

I did find where I can read your past entries. They are great you are doing a good job. I enjoy hearing about the people in the authentic camp. I like being informed on how they are doing. Tell Wendy Sorenson to take it easy. She doesn't have to sacrifice her knee for this. I am glad to hear that you are going to waterproof the tents. We slept in our car twice last week because the tents did not keep the water off of our stuff.

We stopped at Martin's cove on our way home Sunday. That is an amazing place. The thing that makes it so special is not the things that are there, but what happened there. It has a special spirit because of the sacrifice that was made. To think of what happened there 141 years ago is overwhelming. We were able to go into the visitors center and see the names of my Great-Great Grandfather and his family.

Well enough for know. Give our love to the Sorenson's, Proud's, Cornell's, well the whole group. Keep up the good work.

June 21, 1997

Terry wrote:

The warm winds of spring have arrived and have done wonders in terms of drying out the trail. It looks like (barring some hefty changes) that the trail will be near-perfect west of South Pass.

When y'all pass through this area remember all those before us who made the trails. But let's not forget those of the intervening generations who saved the trails for us to use. It is no accident that the last, best, longest remaining segments of intact trail are here in Wyoming. But we need all of you to stay focused and stay involved. Each year there's a little less trail for us to see. Save the Trails... Terry

June 22, 1997

Lisa wrote in part:

(I have wanted to write you all for some time, and just figured out how!!)

When I first heard about the reenactment, (quite some time, actually, after it had started--such news does not travel fast to my corner of the world) I wanted to join you so badly I could hardly bear it....My answer seems to be that right now my "pioneering" effort must consist of going over to the home of another ward member who gets cable (TV), so that the children and I can watch the 1/2 hr special every Sunday on the Odessy channel about the wagon train, then spending just a few minutes reading the latest journal entries you are posting on your web site after the children go to bed on Sunday nights. The rest of my weeks are (almost =)) too hectic to give time to breath right now. [...] We hope to walk next year some of the places "you-all" are walking now, and we will remember you all (as well as the original walkers along that trail) and what ya'll are doing.

In the mean time, I think of all of you often, and pray for you, both the ones going the whole way and the daily visitors and walkers. There must be others out here like me, who wish with all our hear and soul that we were with you. Thanks so very much to those who are letting me share a little of the trek through your journal entries!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!

My heart travels with you. Lisa

June 23, 1997

Thomas Milner wrote:

We joined the trek for one day while coming along the mormon trail from winter quarters I shot this picture of one of the handcarts near NorthPlatte Nebraska.
Thomas Milner

June 26, 1997

James wrote:

Is there anyone else besides walkers? It sounds as if the only people on the wagon train are people who walk. What happened to the wagons? Are there any? It would be nice to hear about other people besides just the walkers.

David and Kathie Johnson wrote:

Dear Heritage Gateway,
My family and I joined with the wagon train during the first part of June for a few days and also have a modern as well as a legacy pioneer story to tell.
Thanks very much.
David and Kathie Johnson Forks, WA

June 27, 1997

Kathryn Kelly wrote:

Dear Margaret: I was delighted to find your web site and to read about the wagon train in Torrington and in our area. I have a good picture of you by camera and on video camera--at the fairgrounds and on the road closeto Guernsey, Wyoming. I was so thrilled to have the events in Torrington go as planned. The only problem was getting our meals and numbers to coordinate. The windows are still painted with wagon train scenes around town. They plan to leave them up all summer.

I hope the 4th of July at the Simpson Hollow site will be exciting. Please put something on the web site so we can watch from home. The tv coverage from Casper is getting less and less. Hopefully the Utah tv channels will be picking it up much better.

Best wishes to you. Sincerely, Kathryn Kelly

June 28, 1997

Tracey from Grove Park wrote:

We are so proud of what you all are doing, we are the pioneers for our families and feel blessed to be a part of this heritage. We are in Knoxville, Tn. and can only imagine how strong the feeling of the Holy Spirit must be when you sit and reflect on your day and imagine the hardship that the original pioneers went through. How blessed you all must be. Do you feel the Spirit in your aching, weary bodies? What a blessing it must be for all of you. I wish I was there to share the experience.What an honor it would be.