Allof75
Pathfinder
We often forget about our roots in our hectic day-to-day live. Maybe a call to mom every now and then, or a beer with a brother from time to time. But family and lineage is more than that, and I sought out to retrace a branch of my familial past. My family has a long standing tradition of living in the United States, the earliest of us moved here in the 1660s. The rest came in at other points in time, mainly the early 1800s amidst the rush of English and Irish immigrants. The last names were Moulton and Giles, and they soon became part of the ************************ of Latter Day Saints church. Amidst much public ridicule and ousting, they were driven out of their homes in the East, and gradually forced in to a great migration toward what they hoped would be their Zion, or promised land. What they faced next was one of the most brutal migrations in America's history, intensified by being unable to afford horses and wagons- they walked and pushed handcarts. Eventually they made it to their Zion, now in Utah, just above Salt Lake City. This past summer I took a journey to retrace their footprints, homesteads and handcarts, jumping into the very heart of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. (I also visited some of the sights along the way)
(As a side note, I am irreligious (and an athiest), so if I have any part of the story wrong, or have said something offensive, please let me know. )
I live in Southern California, so it's a rather long drive just to get into the state of Utah, but I made it ok despite sweltering 115* heat in Las Vegas. The trip happened to coincide with a massive West Coast heatwave, to the point where my air conditioning couldn't keep up a time or two.
The first destination was Kolob Canyons, with breathtaking vistas, and a cool retreat in elevation.
As we pushed through the state, we ran across a southernly fort in which Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormon faith,specified construction, and stayed multiple times. It functioned as a stagecoach stop for many years, and was self-sufficient.
At the time, and now, it was in a desolate area.
After an overnight in Lehi, we ventured northwest, and ran into a waterfall for lunch.
Scale
Eventually we made it into the destination for the next few days- a large family cabin, tucked away in the beautiful Heber Valley.
Went swimming and fishing the next morning.
Now having a home base, adventure was had, venturing into the nearby towns to find traces.
And ran across this- my family name on a street sign...
With their same view, and a similar overlanding vehicle...
These were shepherd trailers from the 30s, my great grandfather, who lived in the area, descibed and painted them many times, they're an artifact of the area, and unique so far as I know, to the West.
The tiny town of Kamas is their home.
Wanting to get out of the tiny towns, I passed into the nearest National Forest.
And left to the quaintness of Samak.
Continued...
(As a side note, I am irreligious (and an athiest), so if I have any part of the story wrong, or have said something offensive, please let me know. )
I live in Southern California, so it's a rather long drive just to get into the state of Utah, but I made it ok despite sweltering 115* heat in Las Vegas. The trip happened to coincide with a massive West Coast heatwave, to the point where my air conditioning couldn't keep up a time or two.
The first destination was Kolob Canyons, with breathtaking vistas, and a cool retreat in elevation.
As we pushed through the state, we ran across a southernly fort in which Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormon faith,specified construction, and stayed multiple times. It functioned as a stagecoach stop for many years, and was self-sufficient.
At the time, and now, it was in a desolate area.
After an overnight in Lehi, we ventured northwest, and ran into a waterfall for lunch.
Scale
Eventually we made it into the destination for the next few days- a large family cabin, tucked away in the beautiful Heber Valley.
Went swimming and fishing the next morning.
Now having a home base, adventure was had, venturing into the nearby towns to find traces.
And ran across this- my family name on a street sign...
With their same view, and a similar overlanding vehicle...
These were shepherd trailers from the 30s, my great grandfather, who lived in the area, descibed and painted them many times, they're an artifact of the area, and unique so far as I know, to the West.
The tiny town of Kamas is their home.
Wanting to get out of the tiny towns, I passed into the nearest National Forest.
And left to the quaintness of Samak.
Continued...