Denny Henson answers the most frequently asked question - Why did you go?    There were experiences she shares that helped form her attitude about not wanting to be left behind.  Kevin and Denny have different perspectives - but both were valuable on their Battalion Trek experience.

This new Mormon Battalion  Project is designed to increase awareness of the significance of the trail, the Battalion story, and help build the foundation for seeking national historic trail designation.  Do you live along the trail?   If so, you'll want to make sure your community knows they can participate and help commemorate the 175th celebration.  Laura Anderson and Greg Smith share the details of the project and how the combination of the trail brochure and website will integrate with the Mobile Mormon Battalion Trail Tour.   This project will be available on www.mormonbattalion.com and the Map-N-Tour mobile app.    We hope this episode will motivate you to join any way you can to help with this celebratory and national trail effort! At the very least - share this podcast to help get the word out.

This episode introduces you to Terry Latey, the creative genius behind The Crossroads Project.  She and Carl Scott give you a peak behind the curtain of how "one brush stroke at a time over the years", their Historical Pioneer Research Group (HPRG) has been able to provide a wonderful resource for people who want to know more about the history of the Middle Missouri River Valley and the Saints who lived there from 1846 to 1858.  

A general overview of the political situation that precipitated the recruitment of the men from the pioneer companies headed west to the Rocky Mountains. For more details see the Mormon Battalion Association's You Tube Channel - for indepth video and visuals of the recruitment stage and players.

Denny explains the events that led up to her venture into the world of podcasts as a way to capture the Battalion Trek experiences and specifically her experiences as a woman on the trail.

When Captain Allen arrived to muster 500 men from the then beleaguered saints at the Missouri River, the plans and efforts to continue west dramatically changed to building up their "temporary new home" in Indian Territory west of the river.    Listen as Carl Scott, Chairman of the Historical Pioneer Research Group, a dedicated historian, and a great storyteller shares the many influences and challenges the people were dealing with and how they worked together.   You can contact the Historical Pioneer Research Group at earlylds.com   Their Crossroads Project can also be found there.  

Meet Battalion Trek's July 5 'little army' and hear their memories of the first day at beautiful. Mount Pisgah, IA.   

 ***For any memories we share about our personal experiences along the trail we'll start putting them into Season 2 episodes.    Hope that works.  We may need to do a new Season for each Month.  Let's just start down this path and see where it leads!    

SPECIAL BONUS:  While we were at Mt. Pisgah that day, Bob Brown, the owner of the property, shared his thoughts about this special place.  You can hear him on the Mormon Battalion Trails interactive Map in the Mt. Pisgah information pin.   

FYI - the image for this episode is the one mentioned by Val & Allyson Jones, and Denny Henson. Other images will be on the Battalion Trek FB Page.

Meet Battalion Trek's July 5 'little army' and hear their memories of the first day at beautiful. Mount Pisgah, IA.  

FYI - the image for this episode is the one mentioned by Val & Allyson Jones, and Denny Henson.  Other images will be on the Battalion Trek FB Page.

The original Battalion received the call and left within a week or two.  Ah - how different from our experience!  Stops and Starts.   Worries and Wonders. Concerns and Commitments.  This Trek was meant to happen. 

As people heard of Kevin's plans, his concept of a one-man hike disappeared in thin air.   Setting up the trek as an event required setting up our own Non-profit and MUCH more planning than we realized.