Kevin – Sunday. Yes, we went to church but I want to blog about something else.
A project like this trek depends upon many people most of whom are behind the scenes. I need to properly acknowledge some of them today. Probably some more later.
Denny Henson. What can I say more? She puts up with my most outrageous ideas, then carefully, kindly and persistently steers our ship away from the reefs. Without her, nothing much would happen. Well, maybe a lot more would happen but with much less of a safety net. (grin)
Stuart Gudmundsen (Midland Michigan) was a major contributor to the trek though he didn’t know it. A few years ago he gifted me his excellent bicycle when his medical condition prevented him from being as active as he had been. An avid tennis player, Stu and I worked together in various church callings over the years in Midland. He loved to play the organ and was darn good at it. Stu gave good counsel, was genial, kind and patient – at least with me. The Stu Gudmundsen Memorial Bike supported me for over 500 miles this trip. Thanks for the bike Stu. Miss ya’ brother. And, as this posting was being drafted, we learned that his wife Pat had just passed away. We miss them both.
Mark and Becky Woodbury (St George UT). Mark was my next-to-last missionary companion in Bay City Michigan circa 1975. We weathered the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald storm together when the gales of November came slashing. Mark loves to joke around but is a hard worker, smarter than most anyone I know and enthusiastic about life. Becky, … well … God bless her for putting up with him. (grin)
Laura and Craig Anderson, Denny and I are kind of partners in crime. We love them for their enthusiasm for Battalion and Church history. Laura is the Executive Director for the Mormon Battalion Association and also thick in the Mormon Trails Association. Craig is her cheerleader and Man Friday. Good eggs both.
Brent Holladay (Longwood FL) is a LONG-TIME friend going back some 40 years or so. He has helped me promote Battalion history and now is helping form an association for the Mississippi Saints, of whom he is a descendant. Grand-daughter Kylie joined Brent to march in the Day’s of ’47 parade. She was wearing her grandmother’s dress last worn at the 100th centennial anniversary parade back in 1947.
South Pass and Big Mountain Pass were the two locations that David and Tera Day joined us. And daughter Rachel also joined in at South Pass. The three got an ‘off-road’ adventure with Denny driving the 23-mile Parting of the Ways section. That section is ‘out there.’ It’s fun to take people out on actual trail sections that you can see. Details about the Big Mountain hike in a later post.
There are many, many more folks along the trail that provided key assistance, information or encouragement. We’d have to do a credits roll like you get at the end of a movie. Hey … maybe that’s an idea for the future!
To all of them – and you know who you are – Thanks Ever So Much!