Let the Treks Begin!

We are excited that the trekking season is here.  

Our first trekkers was our favorite -- they were family!

Our family trek with Devil's Gate in the background

Grandpa giving a tour of Fort Seminoe

Brayden, Parker and Joel climbing Rattlesnake Mountain

Jay and Amy found a pioneer inscription at Rattlesnake pass

Kelsi, Peggy and Kelly hiking at Casper Mountain



Amy in front of a gorgeous view of Casper




Resting by Garden Creek after a long, steep hike

Jay and Peggy

What a fun day picnicking and hiking with our family at Garden Creek Waterfall!

April Showers Bring May...

April showers brought us many May surprises this year.  For example:

We live in an apartment at Martin's Cove next door to
President and Sister Pace. We have enjoyed getting to know them.

April showers brought beautiful May flowers at the Ft. Collins, Colorado Temple

We felt blessed to be able to go to Temple
 in celebration of Mother's Day

We also celebrated Mother's Day by eating at a Brazilian Steak House
in Fort Collins and drinking Guarana (a Brazilian soft drink)

Along with May flowers at Martin's Cove,
we enjoyed watching the rabbit which resides in our backyard ...
naturally, Jay named her "Bunny".

A fun Family Home Evening activity:
Each Missionary District built a pioneer story diorama 
using graham crackers and candy.

April showers also brought May flooding at Sixth Crossing,

and at Martin's Cove

The Missionaries spent a week building dikes

of dirt and gravel lined with plastic sheeting to keep out the flood waters
as the Sweetwater River overflowed its banks

Jay and his dump truck.  Ah, men and their toys!

Then we filling and stacked sandbags. Hundreds of sandbags.

Another surprise we had was a blizzard!  And we had 200 trekkers visiting
from Alberta Canada ... at least they were use to snow!
Lots of snow... almost six inches!

So we have had an unusual and eventful May 2017.  We count our blessing that none of the historic buildings at Martin's Cove have been damaged with the flooding, that the Canadian trek went well, and that Mother's Day was extra special. Know that we count you as one of our many blessings.  Be safe. Fair winds! 
Elder and Sister Bowden

Welcome Back To Wyoming

As we were driving back to The Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission in March we came to the Sweetwater River Valley and it felt like we were home again.

We are serving at Martin's Cove, which is about one hour east of where we served last year, but it is still along the historic Mormon, California, Oregon and Pony Express Trails which follow the Sweetwater River for about 100 miles.

Foot bridge over Sweetwater River

Sweetwater River and the Homestead

The Martin Handcart Pioneer Company came through this area in November 1856 and were stranded here by a snowstorm.  They were rescued and took refuge from the snow and bitter cold winds in a cove nearby.

Martin's Cove

 In addition to sharing the story of the handcart pioneers with visitors, we also give tours of historic ranch buildings that date to the 1870s when Sun Ranch was first established here by Tom Sun.  There is a ranch house (now a visitors center), barn, blacksmith, school house/museum, bunk house, and wash house. We also give tours of the replica of Ft. Seminoe and the archaeological site which dates to 1852.

Original Sun Ranch Barn

Blacksmith building

Repairing picnic tables

It has been a challenge to learn all the historical information as well as stories from the handcart pioneer journals but we are slowly making progress.  During the month of May we will have have over 2000 fourth graders coming for field trips as part of learning Wyoming History.  Then, starting in June, the Treks start with 20,000 youth coming this summer!  And because we have fewer missionaries this summer we expect to be very busy.

Learning the trails

In the meantime we have been doing projects to get ready for summer... painting, fixing sprinklers, weeding, hauling and spreading sand, and cleaning out buildings.

We also have been learning the trails and practicing square dancing. And we've been doing lots of hiking. So as you can tell, we are not bored.

Devil's Gate

Jay at the top of Devil's Gate

View from Devil's Gate

                  Today we both gave talks in church. I've included mine below...tell me what you think!

Spiritual Dehydration

Martins Cove April 23, 2017

Last year while serving at Sixth Crossing I became concerned about the number of trekkers having problems with dehydration. We saw youth and adults with headaches, nausea, weakness and irritability. We noticed as they started looking down and were not paying attention to what was going on around them. Their focus turned inward and they stopped interacting with others. Some had blurred vision. Others became disoriented and confused to the point they didn't know their own name. Some were dehydrated so severely that they fainted and were unresponsive. Thankfully, although some had to go to the hospital for treatment, no one died.

We were frustrated because we felt their dehydration could have been prevented. When their trek was still in the planning stages they had received information about how to avoid dehydration by drinking fluids before, during and after the trek. It was stressed at trek leader training. And when they arrived we again emphasized the importance of drinking and made sure their water containers were filled. The trek hosts made sure they took frequent water breaks and continually reminded them to drink, drink, drink! But some discounted or ignored our counsel and became very ill.

As I was pondering this problem at the end of the season, a thought came to me that we are all at risk of a similar, more dangerous illness...that of spiritual dehydration. In the New Testament when Christ was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, He referred to Himself and His teachings as Living Water. Lehi had a dream that is recorded in the Book of Mormon in which he sees a fountain of Living Water which represents the love of God. And in D&C 63:23 we are told that His commandments shall be a well of Living Water.

We know that physically we cannot live without water. It is equally true that we will die spiritually without the Living Water that Christ offers to us as we strive to learn of Him, live His commandments, feel His love and share it with others.

We have been counseled over and over and over again about the importance of having daily

earnest prayer, the need for daily meaningful scripture study, and the necessity of daily soul searching repentance. We are counseled to love and serve others and keep the commandments. If we go several days without drinking water we will become physically ill, similarly if we miss drinking Living water on a daily basis we will become spiritually ill.

It is interesting to me that the physical symptoms of dehydration are strikingly similar to symptoms spiritual dehydration. For example, similar to having a headache, if we are spiritually dehydrated we feel painful mental stress and our worries seem overwhelming. Like having nausea, we may have no stomach for fulfilling callings or responsibilities when we are spiritually dehydrated. We feel weak spiritually and are unable to progress. We are self-centered and have no interest in the needs of others. We feel irritable and are easily offended and angered. Our vision is blurred in that we cannot see the truth. We become disoriented and think that wrong is right. We are also confused about who we are and whose we are. We become faint hearted and don't stand up for what is right. We may be unresponsive to the Spirit and we will die a spiritual death unless someone reaches out to us with life saving assistance.

I wonder if the Lord and our Leaders get frustrated with us (as we sometimes were with the trekkers) when we do not heed their counsel to 'drink, drink, drink' of Living Water. It is my prayer that each time we take a drink of water (especially during the Sacrament) that it will be a reminder to evaluate ourselves for symptoms of spiritual dehydration, and that every day we will remember to drink deeply of His Living Water.

Elder and Sister Bowden

The Long Haul

Atlantis Resort, Nassau

We woke up at midnight on January 26th with "Little Lara" hobby-horsing as the waves surged into the anchorage at Shroud Cay.  The wind had shifted during the night and increased to 10-15 knots, leaving the boat exposed to the wind and waves.  By 3:00 am the anchorage was so uncomfortable, we decided to leave for Nassau. As we traveled through the night, the stars were out in their abundance, as there was no moon. It was a beautiful night. By sunrise we were sailing under main and jib as we crossed Yellow Bank.  This is an area of shallow water with many uncharted coral heads.  As we sailed along, we could clearly see the ocean bottom as it reached up from 8-12 feet.  We arrived safely in Nassau where we stayed one night at the Palm Cay Marina.  Here we bought provisions, filled our water tank and topped off with diesel.  Leaving the marina we cut through Nassau Harbor, after obtaining permission to do so from Harbor Patrol, as we continued our northward voyage.  The harbor is congested with water taxis, fishing boats and cruise ships.  We were no longer in the quiet out islands, but back in civilization with its luxury homes, high-rise apartments and five star hotels.

Bird Cay, Berry Islands

From Nassau we sailed to the Berry Islands, anchoring off Bird Cay.  We were excited to be away from the noise and congestion of Nassau, and we found Bird Cay to be a haven of beauty and tranquility.  This 250 acre Tropical Island is located at the south end of the Berry Island chain. It is well protected on all sides by sand banks and islands with fun names like Cat Cay, Whale Cay,  Crab Cay and Chub Cay.  Bird Cay was recently listed for sale and can be purchased for a mere $8,900,000, if you are interested.

Berry Island Club

The next morning we learned that another winter storm was headed our direction, so we decided to move "Little Lara" to Chub Cay where we hoped to gain more all around weather protection.  Marine life around Chub Cay is prolific with an abundance of coral reefs, billfish, bonefish, turtles, lobster and conch in the waters surrounding the island. This entire area is within the Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve.  We anchored off Berry Island Club, which was closed for renovations and repairs due to Hurricane Mitchell.  Never-the-less, we enjoyed exploring the island, walking the roads, and visiting nearby Cat Cay.

We were blessed, experiencing none of the projected high wind and seas, so we decided to leave the Berry Islands on January 31st for Florida.  The revised forecast was calling for light winds and calm seas, a perfect opportunity to make the 135 mile overnight trip.  But, before reaching Fort Lauderdale, we would have to cross the Tongue of the Ocean and the Gulf Stream.

Tongue of the Ocean and Andros Island

The Tongue of the Ocean is a U-shaped, relatively flat-bottomed trench approximately 20 miles wide by 150 miles long. Its depth varies gradually from 3,600 feet in the south to 6,600 feet in the north.  It is one of the world’s deepest undersea canyons in the world. It lies between Andros Island and New Providence Island.

Gulf Stream
(In Red)

The Gulf Stream, on the other hand, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and stretches around the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  The velocity of the Gulf Stream current is fastest near the surface, with the maximum speed of 5.6 miles per hour and an overall average speed of  four miles per hour. The Gulf Stream transports nearly four billion cubic feet of water per second, an amount greater than that carried by all of the world's rivers combined. This means we could not sail "Little Lara" straight to Florida, but would have to head southward as the currents pushed us northward, leaving an elongated "S" shaped track as we crossed this body of water.

"Little Lara's" 135 mile track from Chub Cay to Fort Lauderdale

"Little Lara" 
ready for shipment to California

As we sailed through another moonless night, we found comfort in the loom of Fort Lauderdale's night lights as they lit up the horizon, which we could see from 40 miles away. We arrived in Florida on February 1st after a 27 hour passage. Shortly thereafter, we loaded "Little Lara" on a transport for the 3500 mile trip back to California where she will once again be sailing in the waters of San Francisco Bay.  Thus, our Bahama adventure comes to an end.  What memories!  What friends!  We hope all your memories are as wonderful regardless of where your travels take you.  And, may you too find fair winds.

Visiting family in Utah

Up A Creek

Shroud Cay, Exumas

We continued making our way northward eventually anchoring at Shroud Cay.  This island is noted for its extensive network of mangrove creeks that crisscross its interior.  We explored the northernmost creek, which winds its way eastward, where the water becomes deeper, and then finally empties into the ocean.  Here we found a beautiful little white sandy beach where we beached the dinghy, and walked around the corner and up the hill to experience Camp Driftwood.  

Finest white sand, and turquoise blue ocean, and crystal clear water.
Notice the creek on the right emptying into the ocean on the left.

View from Camp Driftwood looking out to Sea

Beaching the Dinghy

Apparently Camp Driftwood has been on Shroud Cay since the 1960’s, when a sailing hermit named Ernest Scholtes stayed on his boat in the anchorage and built a cozy place on the ridge line, little by little, with pieces of driftwood, shells, sea beans, floats and colorful bits found on the beach. He carved steps into a steep rocky slope on the ocean side, cleared away brush and carried sand up the slope in sail bags for the trail. Years later, the U.S. DEA had a camera set up here to spy on Carlos Lehder’s activity on nearby Norman’s Cay. Carlos Lehder was a co-founder of the Medellin Cartel and a former Colombian drug lord. He is currently imprisoned in the United States. Born in Armenia, Colombia, Lehder eventually ran a cocaine transport empire on Norman's Cay that reached into the billions of dollars.  

Mangrove Creek

Site of former Camp Driftwood

Enjoying the view

When we arrived at Camp Driftwood we found the carved steps and the sand cover trails, but there was no driftwood, shells, sea beans, floats or DEA cameras. The beach, however, at the foot of Camp Driftwood is one of the most beautiful we've ever seen, with the finest white sand, and turquoise blue ocean, and crystal clear water.  The sand flats reach out seaward from the island for miles and shimmer in the sunlight when covered by the turquoise waters at high tide. The current in this area is swift and, at times, the water rippled inexplicably. We spent the day enjoying the beach, and hiking the trail up to the Camp Driftwood site, and floating the creek discovering something new around every bend. 

It was another one of those magical moments in the islands and Peggy has proclaimed Shroud Cay her all time favorite place in the Bahamas.  May you too have magical moments in your life along with fair winds.

Saying goodbye to the Exumas...