Pioneer Day

161 years ago yesterday, Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. He said, "It is enough. This is the right place, drive on." The Mormon pioneers, who had spent the winter in Iowa freezing and fighting starvation, finished their trek across America and settled here, scattering from Salt Lake to Southern Idaho and Southern Utah, and out from there.

My ancestor was one of the first men to enter Salt Lake Valley, even before Brigham Young. Other ancestors from other family lines came not long after and settled in Sanpete Valley (Utah), Samaria (Idaho), Cherry Creek (Idaho), Juab (Utah), Payson (Utah), and various other places.

I admire their faith and courage, and especially endurance. I can't imagine leaving home under threat of death, walking (or driving a wagon even) thousands of miles and making a desert livable (if you don't believe this is a desert, by all means come visit. It's hovering around 100 degrees these days. If you don't believe it's livable, I've survived five years so far).

Anyway, Utah has a state holiday to commemorate their faith, courage and endurance. Thank you, pioneers! We remembered your sacrifice by hiking to Stewart Falls. It's not a difficult hike, but it was very hot and dusty, and it made me grateful for the hotter, dustier, more difficult trails you covered!

And yes, that is me under a waterfall. A waterfall made of 100% snowpack run-off. It felt like standing in liquid ice. Still, a nice contrast to the 100-degree heat!