Something to Cheer the Heart and Enliven the Mind

The Moapa Valley Progress reports on a stake young men’s activity:

“The group, organized by the LDS Logandale Stake, traveled via mountain bike cross-country from Caliente, Nevada, over and through the Mormon Mountain range, and ended near the Carp/Elgin exit at I-15.

“The bicyclists, and support staff in following trucks, traveled along an old mining road covering about 88 miles, and traversed an impressive total of about 6,969 climbing feet. Medical support and mechanical support were also provided the entire distance as the group accomplished the trip over three intense days.”

. . .

“After viewing the world from the top of Sawhill Summit, the boys faced another challenge: the Hill Competition. After accomplishing a tricky descent of switchbacks and hairpin turns, they were challenged to turn around and ride back up as far as they could. The winner would be the person who got the farthest.

“After this challenge, they all rode to Sam’s Camp, where it was originally intended that they spend the night. When they got there, they participated in a biathlon. They ran uphill, shot at three clay pigeons, ran downhill, grabbed their bikes, pedaled back up and threw stones at targets, biked downhill and shot rifles at targets, and then biked back uphill to the finish line. The contest was divided into weight classes. Prizes were given to the first three in each class, so there were many winners.

“After the group enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, the boys decided that they would like to get a jump on the next day’s mileage and keep going. They ended up traveling an additional 16 miles that night before stopping to camp for the night.

“This meant that they did not have to rise as early as originally planned. But they still got off early enough to reach the finish line near I-15 about two hours ahead of the anticipated finish time. There ice cream sandwiches were waiting for them.

“With Saturday morning temperatures being high, the boys were all hot and exhausted. Nevertheless, opinions of the experience were surprisingly upbeat. ‘It was fun,’ said Carson Traasdahl. ‘I can definitely say the hardest part was going uphill and my favorite part was going downhill, but now that I’m done, I’m glad I did it.'”

On a personal note, my uncle died on that road 54 years ago this August. His car broke down returning to Carp where he worked on a railroad repair crew. When he didn’t return from a walk for help, my aunt left their five children and walked out by night. My grandfather found his son-in-law’s body, which is buried in the Logandale Cemetery.