Battalion Trek - Adventures and Aha Moments Hiking the Mormon Battalion Trail

Jeff helps us remember the “Grand Lady of the Santa Fe Trail, Faye Gaines, who passed away this month at age 94. We reminisce about her contribution to history, our time together and what an honor it was to know her.  You can hear her talk about her passion for history from the recording we made September 28, 2008 in her home.

We also discuss the Battalion detachments sent to Pueblo, Colorado, Kevin’s discovery of the role and identity of a person mentioned often in journals, our experience at the Annual Grant County Home Products Dinner, the grasslands and rattlesnakes, hiking in trail traces, and the incredible stars along the trail.

Link to Faye Gaines obituary: https://www.coxrowleyfuneralhome.com/obituary/Olive-Gaines

“Everyone should, and I think they do for the most part, enjoy and relish histories. It’s fun sharing your stories” Jeff Trotman.

Santa Fe Trail enthusiast, Jeff Trotman acts as our ambassador through southwest Kansas.  In Part 1 he shares some tidbits about Jedediah Smith you may not know, tells what happened to the Sibley survey report for the Santa Fe Trail, and answers questions about the lower, middle, and upper crossings -- in particular Wagon Bed Springs.

What do these Living History Missionaries DO? What are the variety of ways people can participate? What is their biggest challenge and greatest takeaways?  They give ideas for sharing the Battalion Story wherever you happen to live along the trail

If you would like to be a living history missionary, please contact President Dennis Amaral at [email protected]

In this episode, we’ll discover how living history missionaries are sharing Battalion & pioneer stories throughout California schools and at historic venues and events.

How this Living History Mission started and how is it impacting participants and visitors are topics we discuss.

If you would like to be a living history missionary, please contact President Dennis Amaral at [email protected]

Part 2: The evening of September 12, 2008 Ken Weidner and mother nature joined forces to create an experience that transported us back to 1846 in a way none of us there that evening will ever forget.

We have so much fun reminiscing with Ken, Marilyn Yost, Jim Groth,  and Howard and Londa  KANE about the hospitality we enjoyed in their homes, and especially the magical evening we spent in Ken’s tipi.

On the evening of September 12, 2008 Ken Weidner and mother nature joined forces to create an experience that transported us back to 1846 in a way none of us there that evening will ever forget.

We have so much fun reminiscing with Ken, Marilyn Yost, Jim Groth,  and Howard and Londa Koehn about the hospitality we enjoyed in their homes, and especially the magical evening we spent in Ken’s tipi.

There WILL be pictures and a video made of this episode!  Watch for it on our Battalion Trek YouTube Channel.

One of the major purposes for the Trek was to research and better understand the Mormon Battalion’s route. One of the stories everyone likes to share is when the Battalion were so desperate for water, they drank from a “buffalo wallow” straining the bugs through their teeth. But… just where was this buffalo wallow? Puzzling about the location, Kevin shared some descriptions of what he was looking for with the locals and Santa Fe Trail experts. When Howard Kane heard it, he said, “Why don’t you come over for breakfast tomorrow. I think I have something you’ll be interested in.”  And… you’ll hear the rest of the story here in this podcast.

It wasn’t until a few months ago, we learned that after being introduced to the Battalion during our Trek, Howard has taken a special interest in learning more about them. He is now giving presentations sharing the history of this unique group who traveled the Santa Fe Trail.

Leaving Ft. Leavenworth was a bigger leap of faith than leaving home to begin the trek.  That first month had given us a taste of what was involved in getting ourselves down the trail.  Allyson's time with us ended, and when we put my Dad on a plane back to Salt Lake, it seemed as if our little world of "Trekking" was about to topple over.  We called our good friend Paul Sandor and his wife, Judy, graciously allowed him to come to our rescue.  It was the shot in the arm we needed and lifted our spirits considerably.

We first introduced you to Paul in Season 1 the episode named "Loading the Wagons"

An experienced reenactor and descendant, Val John Halford wanted to hike with us out of Fort Leavenworth. After years of research and portraying the Battalion. He says theirs is "a Real Survival Story". Val saved the day for Denny when he helped dress the scouts and march them from the parade grounds to an anxious crowd  at The Frontier Army Museum waiting for "The Battalion" to arrive.  Val hiked with us in Arizona and San Diego also, but these are his memories about Ft. Leavenworth.

Jeff Wingo talks about other historic sites on post tied to Battalion History, its military leadership, and gives some encouragement to those who want to be prepared to help celebrate the 200th anniversary.

 12-10-2021  AN UPDATE TO OUR FT LEAVENWORTH PODCAST!

The Fort Leavenworth Historian, Dr. Joe Bailey, came over to Jeff Wingo's office with an answer to Kevin's question about Army accommodations for women during the era of the Mormon Battalion.  His reference is a book entitled, The Old Army, A Portrait of the American Army in Peacetime, 1784-1898, by Edward M. Coffman.  Chapter 3, "Companions of Our Exile, Women and Children, 1815-1860, delves into Kevin's question.