The youth had to wear pioneer-style clothing (guys in long-sleeved shirts, jeans, suspenders, hats...gals in long dresses, bonnets, etc.). They were organized into groups of 8 or 9 kids with an assigned "Ma" and "Pa" who acted accordingly. The Ma's and Pa's were married adults volunteering to watch over these families of youth. The youth themselves were very limited in the things they were allowed to bring: no electronics, only 17 pounds of total equipment, a sleeping bag, and a tarp. They couldn't even bring snacks along!
There were 3 companies of about 4-5 families...each family was assigned to a handcart which held about 400 pounds of gear, water, their personal items. The carts had a large wheel on each side and a "tongue" which was a square shaped handle that was composed of 3 long pieces of wood that extended from the front of the cart. Two ropes were connected to the front of the cart as well so that it could be dragged from in front. So as the carts moved, most families had 3 kids pushing from behind, 2-4 kids pushing from inside the "tongue", and the rest pulling on the ropes. These were built by hand out of wood and metal strips and were considered authentic in appearance and construction.
My job was to come along as a physician in case anyone was injured or sick during the expedition. Barry Barton had the same job and a very capable nurse named Kim Goetz was also in attendance. We had a lot of medical supplies donated from Tanner Medical Center and these were either carried by the three of us or loaded onto carts. We didn't have the same requirements as the youth, but I wanted the same experience so I limited my gear to the same weight requirements and cheated only by bringing along my cellphone and a pillow because I'm a baby when it comes to camping without a pillow. LOL. I also dressed the part. I tried on about 30 different hats at REI in Atlanta but always looked lame...finally found a normal-appearing hat at a local tractor supply store in Carrollton (?).
DAY ONE - we all congregated near a bayou and were assigned to families. It was a sunny day around 85 degrees. We were all excited for the experience. President Tom Owen spoke to the youth and so did President Jon Anderson. We enjoyed a modest lunch (piece of fruit, pickle, 2 small rolls with a piece of meat on them...obviously pioneer-rationed). A hymn was sung, a prayer was prayed, and we attached ourselves to our carts and started our journey in the mountains of North Georgia!
It was arduous! Most of the route was shaded by tall trees, but it was still Georgia-humid. Somehow, Jon Anderson had found a trail that only headed UP. We proceeded for 9 miles on this first day, stopping to gather breath and hydrate along the way. The kids did FANTASTIC. They never complained, constantly supported each other, and kept a positive attitude. It was wonderful to observe. About half way there, we stopped for a potty-break (they had a few porta-potties along the trail at that point).
As we went, I tried to watch for any of the young women who were becoming overwhelmed. I'd tap them on the shoulder and encourage them to take a little break and replace them on the handcart for awhile...pushing or pulling it along. It was hard work, but enjoyable in a hard-work kinda way.
Thankfully it was medically boring. Justin Whitaker lost his lunch about 1/2 hour into the trek. A few people experienced some mild heat exhaustion, stinging nettles, blisters, etc. etc.
As we trekked, I made several jokes to keep spirits high. I mentioned that the pioneers must have wondered out loud why they had left the Methodist church to join the Mormons. "Mama, why did we leave the Baptists? They didn't have to walk across the country!" I also refuted the concept that I was preserved for the latter-days because of the greater faith that would be necessary...I think I was preserved for the latter-days because I couldn't have made the pioneer trail to SLC! Heavenly Father, I'm certain, looked at me and said, "You'll have to wait until more modern times because it's obvious you'll need showers, air-conditioning, ice cream, and cars."
After about 8 and 1/2 miles, we approached the final hill...very steep, very rocky, and about 1/2 mile in length. It was incredibly difficult and each handcart company had to be assisted by 3 or 4 additional young men who ran up and down the hill helping each one up. At the top, I was amazed to see a camp which had fires prepared and dinner items ready for preparation...and the path leading to this camp at the top of the hill was lined with those who had already made the difficult journey. They were clapping and cheering for those who were appearing over the crest of the evil hill!
I was immediately thrilled with such a sight and thought that this must be what the end of life is like if you endure it well: you'll find yourself in the next world being met by cheering family and friends who had completed the journey already. I watched as each handcart came over the hill and were met by an increasing crowd of exstatic if not exhausted teens and their "parents". It was quite awesome. I felt the spirit strongly as I contemplated this.
Incidentally, the young men who repeatedly ran up and down the hill helping each handcart make their way to the top need psychologic evaluation and drug screens (LOL). The energy of youth is incredible and I miss it. I'm certain that in the pioneer days there were young men doing the same thing.
That first night we ate dutch-oven beef stew with rolls. It was the most delicious food for me in decades. It helps to be completely dehydrated and exhausted, but still: excellent. I think I drank about 1 gallon of beefy broth to replace the salt I left on the trail. The women slept in tents and the men slept on the ground. There was an abandoned mine entrance that poured out cold air in a frigid wind constantly near where we slept. I wanted to explore it a little but the state park had put up screens preventing that. At around 1 a.m. I gave up being able to sleep through the mosquitoes so I doused myself with insect repellent and slept for about 5 hours.
DAY TWO - Morning started around 6:30am with a bugle call, insect repellent flavoring on my lips, and hair sticking all over the place. The campers zombied their way to breakfast which was fruits, nuts, and oatmeal with honey. Delicious! The families had morning prayer, hymn, and even stretching. I believe we were loaded up and back on the trail around 9 am.
Miraculously, Jon Anderson had discovered another trail which also was completely uphill. It's like an optical illusion...staircases in a circular pattern which is always uphill?! We had 12 miles or so to kill and so we continued. The bad thing is that he told us that it was easier than yesterday and that beyond a few hills in the beginning, it was mostly flat. *cough* no.
It was mostly more of the same: difficult, hilly terrain with frequent watering breaks and nearly constant exertion. Those pioneers were incredible! 12 weeks, 1300 miles, taking only Sunday off....13.5 miles/day for 3 months? I joked that the ones who made it were like p90x athletes: ripped, toned, and ready to do anything! The women breastfed with one hand while pushing the cart with the other, formulating hymns in their mind while figuring out what they'd fix for dinner after the next 9 miles were behind them. Once they arrived: "Ok, this is the place...let's build a temple!" I admire them so much.
After about 6 miles, leaders announced that all males were to proceed with all but 4 of the carts on a Morman Battallion expedition. We left the women with the remaining carts and trekked a couple of miles forward. We then sat on the trail and listened to Stake President Tom Owen give a speech about respect for women. He emphasized the strength of women and how much Heavenly Father loves his daughters. He pointed out that each young man should show respect and appreciation to his sisters, mother, girlfriends, and someday wife. It was a great speech and the spirit was obviously present. By the end of his talk, the women could be heard coming up the trail: they were pushing/pulling their own carts and singing as they went. Several of the young men got up to go help them...it was a nice ending to a point well taken.
We proceeded onward until we had covered the 12 miles on target for the day. There were times during the march that I was by myself and I appreciated the reflection time. I was quite tired, of course, but pondered over not only the pioneers but upon my own trek through life. I realized that the next 25 years of hard work that lies ahead of me (in my career) is not unlike an unending hill over which I must continually endure.
The second encampment was much like the first: tents for the women, the ground for the men. Families met together and enjoyed a chicken/rice meal with a bonus for dessert: cobbler by dutch oven! They wolfed it down and prepared for sleep. This time around I pre-doused myself with repellent and slept a lot more soundly.
DAY THREE - Today was unique. The kids thought they'd be doing another day of mile after mile of hill and rock. However, there were other plans in store. The carts had to be used by another stake so we emptied them and trekked just a couple of miles to a delivery point. The carts were taken from us and we walked back to camp after a bunch of pictures were taken. The rest of the day was spent at stations organized by Ma's and Pa's...pioneer games, candle-making, fire-building, crafts, and other pioneer-appropriate activities. The kids loved it! There was a quilt-making station. Everyone signed the patches according to what family they were in and it was later presented to the stake president and his wife.
Half-way through the day, it started pouring down rain. It lasted about an hour and during that time we gathered tightly under some wooden shelters and sang hymns. It was actually quite fun! When the rains cleared, we enjoyed some pioneer-style square dancing and other fun. After a delicious dinner, we split into three companies and had testimony meetings. The spirit was strong, predictably, and many of the youth bore their testimonies. I did as well.
I thought I would mention some really funny interactions I had with Albert Reid who is one of my favorite people. He and I always have enjoyed some inter-racial humor, he being black and me being white. One of my first experiences with him was while in the temple performing baptisms. I was a witness and he was a youth being baptized. He just happened to be the last youth of the day and as he walked by me he whispered loud enough for only me to hear, "Notice they make the black man go last." He entered the font as I had great difficulty retaining a large giggle over the next few minutes.
While enjoying some conversation with him, I decided to get up and go get something before returning to sit next to him. I said as I got up, "I'll be right black...I MEAN BACK!" He laughed politely and quickly replied, "No problem. That's all white...I MEAN WHITE!" The next morning, I was eating some watermelon with Albert's brother and a couple of other guys. I offered him some of the watermelon and he quipped, "No thanks, I'm not stepping into that stereotype!" Hilarious.
Finally, I knew that this experience would be a good one, but also dreaded the long miles, four days without a shower, and humidity. I expected to feel the spirit as I always do when near youth. I didn't expect some subtle insights I gained however:
1) Enduring to the end of life will be met with congratulatory and celibratory family members and friends.
2) The decades of work left in my career and to be attacked with full effort are equivalent to a very long hill with a heavy load...and that I can do it!
3) The Lord loves each of his children and helps with their burdens.
4) The pioneers were studs and deserve our respect and gratitude.
--Jason
