Opinion

Modern-day pilgrimage

Sunday, July 2, 2006

One hundred fifty years ago, one of the most interesting sagas was the Mormons' 1,300-mile trek to the Salt Lake area. One particular part of this journey was called, "The Great Handcart Migration."

Some of the settlers couldn't afford oxen and wagons, so a group of them got the idea of building a series of handcarts that could be pushed or pulled by hand to hold their goods for the trip. Unfortunately, in many instances, they were sold green lumber and, long before they arrived, many of the handcarts fell apart.

Instead of going west, I decided to head north with both boys and their families for a week of Canadian fishing. This trip will involve three vehicles, two boats, and six grandkids. I have made this trip before, so my expectations are that something will go wrong. Larry Runkle used to joke that it might be cheaper for him to follow me up north and fix my vehicle on the way.

This modern day pilgrimage will be quite different from the handcart migration in one respect: the grandkids have been talking about which movies they will take to watch on the thousand-mile trip. On the other hand, I have been stocking up on extra lights and fuses, and we will take the jumper cables plus the ever-important "Fix-a-Flat" kit. Grandma is storing up bug repellents, first aid kits, and communication devices so that we don't end up leaving anyone along the side of the trail.

I'm not sure the two youngest grandchildren, who are age two and three, will understand what this is all about, but what I can predict is that they will get tired of sitting strapped into a car seat for 20 hours a day. Maybe I can read to them about the hardships the Mormons endured with the hope that our troubles will be minor by comparison.