The Heritage Rider

Ok, in all seriousness, who would do this with me? Why or why not?

I saw this from another cyclist's plans and now I can't stop thinking about it. Not only would I get to go back to Jordan and see its natural beauties, I then could finally be in Israel and see Jerusalem. Plus, it'd be way shorter than the Mormon Pioneer Trail which with my new work schedule, I wouldn't have enough time to do.

This is up South Fork in Provo Canyon. Before the trek, I couldn’t go up these hills but this morning I just mowed right through it (it’s not really that hard compared to my biking friends but for me it is). Sometimes progress is not seen until you look back and see where you were down the trail. And then you got to keep going because you’re not finished. I think it’s important to apply this principle to life. We need to be heading towards progression. If you aren’t on the trail, do what you need to get on it. Then keep pushing forward until your own personal trail ends. Never quit. Become addicted to succeeding every day even if it’s small wins.

Many of you know that at Brigham Young University I studied Middle East Studies/Arabic. I even lived in Jordan for a semester, tried opening an English school in Turkey, and spent several years interviewing and documenting on video Middle East language curriculum and careers. Afghanistan was not a mute area for concern in our studies and efforts. I’m so grateful that I get to live in a state that has a history with the Mormon Pioneers as refugees seeking religious freedom and still seeks to help refugees of all kinds around the world. I rode the Mormon Pioneer Trail to bring attention to its cause and I hope by posting this that it brings attention this current cause.

Phoebe and I enjoying a great day at Chimney Rock and the Guernsey Ruts with a lovely sunset. This girl was in her element climbing all of these rocks. This is Phoebe’s first time being on the actual pioneer trail.

So grateful for another new friend from the trip, Debbie and her husband Larry. I camped in the park across the street from her house and then we went to church together that morning. I’m grateful we got to talk for a good while and hope we can do it again.

Going through southern Iowa and following the trail with Phoebe has been a success so far. So much so I figured we’d take a photo of the exact same spot I was in while on the bike. Have any of you done the Auto-Tour of the Mormon Pioneer Trail?

Last night Phoebe and I did the Trail of Hope performed by the Young Performing Missionaries here in Nauvoo. It is Parley St that was the street leading the pioneers to cross the Mississippi and to start the pioneer trail. Near the banks of the Mississippi, there is a memorial for all of those that did not make it. Along the whitewall are printed 1900 names. We found Solomon Hancock, his mom and brother, who are all buried at Rock
Creek cemetery where we were near Winter Quarters.

Some interesting facts. 56,000 individuals started the Mormon Pioneer Trail and with 1900 of them dying at some point during the trek. About 300-500 of them while staying in Winter Quarters. That leaves a 3.5% mortality rate. The Mormon Pioneer Trail was 1,300 miles with roughly 1.46 people dead every mile.

The Oregon Trail had 350,00 individuals start the journey and an estimated 30,000 died along the trail. Having an 8.5% mortality rate. The Oregon Trail was 2,000 miles with roughly 15 people dead every mile.

It appears there would be less dysentery in the “Mormon Pioneer Trail” game than the “Oregon Trail” game 😂

So grateful for the tribute you see here even in Nauvoo to the men, women, and children that went forward in faith to build their Zion.

Phoebe and I had such a great time in the Omaha area yesterday. We visited the Hancock family memorial, found some other hidden grave markings, and had a great time with friends at the Mormon Trail Visitor Center. Trying to work on getting this cemetery mowed and trimmed down. I wouldn’t surprised if there are more missing graves.

Got to have with the infamous Gary Clayton this morning in Grand Island, a very significant place for the Mormon pioneers. I truly appreciate his own family history ambition and his support along my own family history discovery. I’ve got a project I’m going to be starting and he’s offered to give me what assistance he can with it. So very grateful for his friendship.

This cute girl and I are on our way to Nauvoo. We will be retracing some of the bike trek/ Mormon Pioneer Trail while also doing some unfinished business. We are hoping to speak with someone to help clean up the cemetery that Solomon Hancock is buried at. To be honest, Phoebe is not super thrilled to be in the car for this long of a trip but I’m hoping this instills a greater love of her name and what the pioneers went through.

The bike ride may be over but the research isn’t done.

I MADE IT! And I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be back with Phoebe. Thank you to all that helped and supported along the way. It has been quite the journey that I hope to be able to launch into other rides. I truly hope it was inspiring for you to look into yourself, what you can do, what you need to do, and to reflect on those that have come before you. I’m indebted to my ancestors. I’m grateful for my ancestors Solomon and Phoebe Hancock’s faith that made this ride meaningful before it even started. I’m inspired by their examples of what it means to push forward with faith. Hurrah for Israel and for the Mormon Pioneers’ push for a Zion and their trust in the Lord to get there. It sure wasn’t easy.