April was upon us and the tiniest little yellow flowers covered every square inch of what would soon be dry desert brush. Purple and blue blooms dotted the golden fields around us as we hiked up out of the canyon and toward what we were told were called the “slick rock plains”. The ground was red dirt, and it was almost squishy, even though it was dry. Cow tracks covered the trail we were filing down and every once in a while, we came across a big pile of cow poop. The dry ones would be kicked along and the wet ones avoided, but we didn’t even care, they didn’t stink anymore…we were desert people and totally used to all the smells of the area.
The girls hiked now in silence, nobody really even complaining about anything, and the boys would sometimes hum or whistle. Today was a good day, and that was rare. Murdock was in town for 2 days, and it was obvious what an impact he made on all of our moods.
We stopped for lunch on a tiny wash, our legs dangling down over the edge. We sipped our water and each of us grabbed a handful of whatever we could spare out of our rations and carefully ate what we had. I grabbed a small handful of raw oats and stuck them in my mouth, letting my saliva soften them.
The sky was blue blue, the teensiest white clouds starting to gather over Boulder Mountain, and I started to hum a song to myself. A boy a few bodies down from me turned quickly and his eyes caught mine and he began to hum along with me. A few of the other students noticed it and looked at us both and finally one of them asked us what we were humming.
“Its an old pioneer hymn. We’re both mormon and its just a song the pioneers used to sing when they walked with their handcarts across the plains til they got to Utah,” I said.
I started to sing outloud the words:
“Put your shoulder to the wheel push along…do your duty with a heart full of song…we all have work, let no one shirk….put your shoulder to the wheel…”
The others giggled and one girl with dirty blonde hair leaned over and said, her mouth full of oats and dry milk “why’d they push their bodies on the wheels?”
The group giggled.
“Well, I suppose if you leaned really hard into the cart with your body, or your shoulder or whatever, you’d go faster. Those things were heavy, I’ve seen replicas in Salt Lake in the museum. They pushed those carts over dirt just like this,” I said, pointing to the ground.
“EXACTLY like this,” Leeza, the female counselor said. “The pioneers, they settled the southern part of Utah and Nevada and California, so they actually brought their handcarts down this way. In a few weeks, we’ll be at Hole-In-The-Rock and you’ll see the marks on the walls of the canyon that the wheels left in the rock. Its pretty cool…”
I sang it again and some of the others sang along, and pretty soon, they were all singing it. One kid laughed about how his friends at home would never believe how he sat in the desert singing hymns with Mormons, and the other kids laughed too. The mood was light, and we got up to finish our hike in better spirits.
The day was long, but we sang as we went. Throughout all the hiking, it reminded me of another song that I taught them that day.
“Pioneer children sang as they walked…and walked…and walked…and walked….”
We found an old sheep herder’s shack that night and all of us squished inside to sleep that night, and all was well as we sang “Put your shoulder to the wheel, push along” as we drifted off to sleep. Little did we know, in less than 5 days, we’d be pushing our own handcarts…down the same road the Pioneers traveled down…to the exact spot where they met Lake Powell for the first time.
Slide’s Sanctuary » Blog Archive » “as they walked…and walked…and walked…” Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 3:17 pmVisit Slide’s Sanctuary » Blog Archive » “as they walked…and walked…and walked…”
[...] Once in a while I notice totally useless but nonetheless interesting coincidences. For example a reference to the same Mormon song by two different websites (Dooce and 63 Days)within a short period of time but with a totally different perspective. [...]
Julia Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 4:43 pmVisit Julia
You really have a gift for breaking your story at just the right places…creating complete stories within the larger story. This is definitely book material.
Helen Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 5:47 pmVisit Helen
Great entry Alli…looking forward to the next one!
Suzi Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 6:49 pmVisit Suzi
I like when Murdock is gone
Old Horsetail Snake Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 7:25 pmVisit Old Horsetail Snake
I have been thinking about the food. Did your bodies suffer, or did this prove to be a good thing? It sounds weird, but it’s sort of wholesome.
Also, did you win The Prize?
Storyteller Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 9:22 pmVisit Storyteller
Tonight I watched two episodes back to back of that Brat Camp series and it sorta made me sick to watch the kids on the forced marches with the heavy packs. I don’t get how you’re supposed to get on with just oats, rice & lentils for days on end…what’s the logic in that? One girl had asthma and was wheezing… where was her inhaler, I wondered? Then there was this little kid who was obviously carrying too much and he kept falling down in the snow. They had to march in a blizzard! As I watched the show all I could think about was all the entries I read in your journal.
kelsea Says:
July 20th, 2005 at 11:00 pmVisit kelsea
I read all 47 entries today. I couldn’t stop reading. You really should make this into a book. Its an inspiration to anyone who has had any type of struggle in their life.
My heart goes out to you for what you had to endure. You are a true survivor.
God bless, and peace be with you.
I admire you!
Wendy Says:
July 21st, 2005 at 10:43 pmVisit Wendy
I remember that song! It seems like our ward would sing it every other Sunday. Sometimes, at work, when I start dragging along, I sing that song, to myself, to keep me going. My great, great, great grandma, on my dads side, pushed one of those handcarts from Nauvoo to Utah, after Joseph Smith was killed and the Mormons had to get out.
Andrea Says:
July 22nd, 2005 at 3:35 amVisit Andrea
Your writing is improving as you go along…much more descriptive!
me Says:
July 22nd, 2005 at 4:16 pmVisit me
glad to see you’re back.
i’ve missed your posts.
ShannonL Says:
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:17 pmVisit ShannonL
I like when Murdock is gone too. It feels so much more peaceful…mentally.
the queen Says:
July 24th, 2005 at 8:04 pmVisit the queen
Hey there allison, Just wanted you to know I am still reading and still completely behind you. You are a fantastic teller of the story of your life. I do hope that someone is going to publish this. Always here.
Lyss Says:
July 25th, 2005 at 10:20 amVisit Lyss
I e-mailed you because I didn’t want to take up too much of your comment space. =)
Anna Says:
July 25th, 2005 at 11:35 amVisit Anna
I started reading last week, I read all your entires in one day, needless to say I didn’t get a THING done at work, but what I gained from your story was more than I could have gained spending 8 hours working. Since I read your entries I have been talking to everyone I know about the camp and what you went through. It is truly amazing. Made me want to go home and hug my son even tighter. I hope your going to post again very soon. People like you are what makes this world a better place to live.
usadiane aka 2old2be Says:
July 25th, 2005 at 2:17 pmVisit usadiane aka 2old2be
I’m still following your story Alli….best wishes as you continue your journey.
Bryna Says:
July 25th, 2005 at 4:47 pmVisit Bryna
I have you bookmarked in my favorites and always update the title. Right now you are 63 days #47 otherwise when I get a chance to read again I get lost on where to begin again! LOL!
I totally agree that when Murdock is gone the kids actually can be “kids”. Well, as much as they can be in the wilderness.
Linda Says:
July 25th, 2005 at 7:18 pmVisit Linda
Alli—
Your story is horrific, but eye-opening. Thank you for sharing.
I was just wondering, what is your current affiliation/feelings toward the Mormon church?
Rachel Says:
July 26th, 2005 at 8:11 amVisit Rachel
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. I started reading this about a week ago and I haven’t been able to turn away.
Melody Says:
July 27th, 2005 at 2:29 pmVisit Melody
I read all 47 entries in 2 days, and I am axiously awaiting the “happily ever after” ending. You are a strong and blessed person and you inspire me with your story. hugs and prayers melzie
z. Says:
July 27th, 2005 at 11:56 pmVisit z.
I also thought about dooce’s entry. Same song but yet so different.
Patti Says:
July 28th, 2005 at 1:31 pmVisit Patti
Alli,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I recently gave your website to the Women’s Center here at the University I work on. I feel that you will be able to help many on your journey. Again Thank you,
Patti
Papka Says:
July 30th, 2005 at 1:33 pmVisit Papka
Nice job Alli. As always, it is wonderfully written.
joCanadamum Says:
August 5th, 2005 at 12:12 amVisit joCanadamum
Alli,
its totally unfair what happened to you all. Stay Strong you really are an insperation.
i found your blog while surfing Rosie’s blog, im truly sorry you and many other kids had to deal with such terrible conditions and treatment
hugs jo
Joe Says:
August 5th, 2005 at 6:54 amVisit Joe
63 Days between postings? C’mon! Please give us our fix! You are a truly gifted writer, being able to touch people the way you have. We miss you, hope all’s well.
Christina Says:
August 7th, 2005 at 3:07 amVisit Christina
I’m 17 years old and I admit, I have done my share of rebelious things; sex, a little pot, stealing and alcohol. I cannot imagine nor have I ever, about all that you’ve been through. Before I came across this site, I had no idea these places existed. I think we all in general have our hardships in life but this is unbelievable. Please continue writing, publish this too; the world needs to see what these people did.
Also, what ever happened to this camp and the people who worked there? Were they exposed and punished? Plus, what happened with John & Eddie? You HAVE to fill us in!
Thanks for sharing your story, you already make me want to be a better person and to not take brushing my teeth daily for granted. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to endure all this especially so young and alone; I don’t know how any of those kids did. Thanks again and always remember Karma.
Truly_Unruly Says:
September 13th, 2005 at 8:36 amVisit Truly_Unruly
I’m sorry again if we/I sound so demanding. Its a compliment I promise.
I’ve never written anything of any length, but I would imagine that it is very time consuming.
Truly_Unruly Says:
September 13th, 2005 at 8:43 amVisit Truly_Unruly
OK, I meant that last post to be in the last section after your response to me, but that’s ok. It fits here too.
joCanadamum Says:
October 21st, 2005 at 3:30 pmVisit joCanadamum
alli
hope all is well with you, miss seeing you post. waiting to see how hard Florida is going to get hit
Praying Wilma swings wide of there.
take care
joCanadamum