September 24, 2010 -- Martin's Cove, Wyoming -- The plan was to just blow through Martin's Cove on the way to Mt. Rushmore. See I've known the story of Martin's Cove growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints so I didn't really want to stop and experience a 'downer' on this epic guy's weekend road-trip. Boy was I humbled.
I wanted to separate out this experience from the other post because of the significance of the stop and what it ended up meaning to me -- see Martin's Cove isn't just a place you can blow through. You have to stop and let it blow through you.
In November 1856 nearly 500 Mormon pioneers in the Martin Handcart Company suffered as they chose this spot to seek shelter from incredible early snow storms still days out from Salt Lake City.
By the time their journey was over nearly 145 of the company would lose their lives. Although it isn't really known how many would leave mortality at Martin's Cove there are incredible stories of sorrow, loss, love and faith at this place.
In wanting to experience the site as quickly and completely as possible we ran up the trail to the cover overlook, we looked around and then briskly walked back. That's when something incredible happened. A senior sister missionary stopped us and asked if we saw the cove, we replied we just ran up there and had a good look. She then told us that we hadn't seen the cove, she asked us to go back, take our time and see the cove again.
We walked back with greater humility and looked out. It was then we saw Martin's Cove. I'm not sure words or an explanation will ever give justice but we saw and experienced something moving. I'm glad a little senior missionary was inspired to have us go back and look again. Martin's Cove cannot be rushed.
