Trek 2013

Jim had the opportunity to go on Trek this year.  He was the Medical Coordinator. He was gone Wednesday morning June 26th at 6:30 till about 8:00 Saturday night June 29th.  I think that is the longest Jim and I have ever spent apart.    It is amazing how much planning went into Trek.  It is even more amazing thinking of the strength and courage of the pioneers who made the "real" Trek.

 

 

Jim with some of his Trek apparel the night before he left.

Jim was one of the few who could have a cell phone (in case of medical emergencies).  The reception was too bad to call each other but we were able to text sporadically.  Here is a sampling of some of the texts.  Who knew a cell phone could be such a great journal :)

Wednesday June 26th
 2:31 P.M.- Still walking lots of blisters
3:37 - Still walking. Pioneers were tough people
4:46- We still have not had lunch
6:17 - Just finished lunch. A sandwich with about 2 pounds of meat, chips and warm water.  It was awesome.
8:22- Still walking. No end in sight. Still having fun taping feet
9:24- Still walking. Sun is going down
10:01- We just arrived at our first camp. I don't even think I am going to bother with a tent.
11:41- Goodnight. I love you.

Ma's and Pa's with their family pulling their handcart

Just a cool picture with the sun shining down on them.

Thursday June 27th
11:21 A.M.- 13.1 miles yesterday. Still tired. Still miss you more
1:27 P.M. - People are dropping like flies (they weren't really dropping....lots of heat exhaustion, though).  Keeping Busy.  Miss you so much I could cry.
3:39- I will be out of service for 18 hours or so.  So goodnight.  We are not walking anymore and I am well. Love you. Just saved someone from heatstroke.
 

Jim said there were tons of sheep. 

This is Jim with some of his Young Men from the ward.

Friday June 28th
12:09 P.M. - Walking more. Able to meet and help lots of people. Miss you a lot. Doing well. Love you.
2:26- Stopping for today. No deaths (Jim's personality shining through:)
9:39- I don't know when you get this. Coverage is pretty spotty. Beautiful sunset tonight. Treated a bunch of people. Had someone pass out in our first aid tent.  Miss you and as always, I love you.
 

 

If you look very carefully you can see the people walking along the trail.

 

Absolutely gorgeous sunset.

The medical tent. 
Jim and his medical committee spent TONS of time
 helping with blisters, taping sore feet,  dehydration, heat exhaustion, etc.

The Medical Team on Trek.

Saturday June 29th
11:34 A.M. - Back to suffering
12:41- Walking. Halfway through our last day. Yeah
4:31- Still walking. Losing health units (quote from Toy Story that Jim and I always use)
5:29- Currently gaining health units :)
7:07- Be home about 7:45-8

He said it was an incredibly hard, uplifting, amazing and spiritual journey
- all at the same time. When asked if he would do it again- Absolutely!

The kids missed him!

Nice to have my Jim home :)

"Hard was the work of those who have gone before us.  Magnificent is our heritage.
 Tremendous is our responsibility."

-  President Gordon B. Hinckley