Martin's Cove

by Clark Kelly Price

On our way back from South Dakota, we decided to go to Martin's Cove. The road follows and crosses the Oregon and Mormon trail for several miles. It was a neat experience for me to see the country these people went through. The painting above is in stark contrast to the warm temperatures that we felt in the middle of July. But the country is rough and rocky and it is easy to imagine how it could turn into such a brutal nightmare! This is a place you should visit if the opportunity arises. (Ashley's comments in italics)


This is "Rattlesnake Pass", located just a few miles from Martin's Cove near Devils Gate. The pioneers crossed right through this little pass.

Three cute pioneers!


The actual site of Martin's Cove is owned by the BLM and is a few miles from the Church owned property where you park. We were able to get a covered handcart and start our walk to Martin's Cove.
boys pushing so hard

After a mile or so you leave the handcart and enter BLM ground. Here is a sign indicating we are at the lower cove (there were two main areas where they holed up to wait out the storm).
lucky Landon!



This is the main cove . It was not fun crosing it!

It was very hot!

Some missionaries were at this spot and would tell you stories if you requested it. The area behind us and to the left is where most of the immigrants were.

Some antelope we saw while on BLM ground.

After leaving BLM ground you can go the long way back which requires crossing the Sweetwater River - either by bridge or wading. This was enjoyable in 80 degrees but would be about unthinkable if it were freezing and you were doing it on a piece of bread a day!

Tara was not sure but thought this could have been a relative.

On our way back.




The Cove is about a mile back behind Tara's head.

looking for.......

Dinner!

The immigrants first tried to hole up in an old fort. But most people were left out on the windswept praire so they had to move to the cove for protection.

The fort later burned down and has been rebuilt to scale.

"We did not do it"


ewww....gross!

These last two are inside the fort and commemorate those from the rescue parties who stayed through the winter at the fort to guard the provisions left behind. It was a misserable winter!!

Berlin Germany

This post is for you Emily and Justin. We have not yet made it to Germany, but at least we got to see part of the Berlin Wall. (Tara says this is her way to travel). I do not for sure why, but there was a park in Rapid City that had two sections of the actual Berlin wall, along with two "tank traps". Here are a few pictures of that area. Some of the stories accompanying the pictures are very humbling. Freedom should not be taken for granted!

Parks at Rapid City, SD

One of the nice things about our trip to Rapid City was that the town seemed to be made for family tourism. It had some unique and fun (and free) parks around town. Here are pictures of two of them: Storybook Island and Dinosour park. Storybook Island has lots of lifesized children storybook themed buildings, animals etc. To pay for it, businesses and individuals will "adopt" a certain storybook theme and build and maintain the display. All of them are made to play on. It was a very fun park and it brought back a few membories of books that I had forgotten.

These pictures of Landon and Ryan on the monkey bars are not storybook themed, but it shows how these two boys attack life. I am not sure the order, but apparently Landon was playing in the middle and Ryan wanted by - so just do it!

They had a little train ride available for a small fee.

Kalli fits right in!

Are these the "Flying Monkeys?"

Michone in a staring contest.

Ryan had gotten his feet dirty and tried to wash them off. Then he saw this mud puddle and he decided to make the most of it prior to washing.

two little Tom Sawyers. Ryan and Landon really looked like they wanted to be in a different time and place as they gazed at Huck and Tom.

The picture above shows a stork. That indicated that the display was available for adoption by a supporting business or person.

Winnie the Pooh and friends. Michone noticed there was a small (two feet off the ground and about 5 feet long) rope bridge on this display. She thought it was so funny how secure and safe it was compared to ours at home.

The big bad wolf getting ready to get the third little pig.

The wolf landing in the fireplace ready to get a piggie!

Tara and I were not familiar with the story behind this blue house, but it was a cool one and lots of fun.

Childhood is not complete without a story involving a bright red fire engine and dalmation dog.

The dinosaur park was built on a tall ridge that ran through part of town. You could see the dinosaurs from a long ways away.

Here is a picture (very cute I might add) of Tara and the children on top of the ridge.

There was about 4-5 dinosaurs. I think they were life sized, but I am not sure. The park was built in the 1930s.

Tyranosaurus Rex and Tricertops getting ready to square off.

Brontosaurus

Stegosaurus