Wayne: yes, the victims were mostly all from Arkansas. They were all part of a relatively well-to-do wagon train heading west. The Mormons recruited local Indians to aid them, surrounded and slaughtered them over a few days. Similar to the other Mormon massacre you mentioned, young children were taken to be raised by Mormon families. However, some years later, U.S. army forces were able to recover some of the children and returned them to Arkansas. Their slaughtered parents had been left to rot at the massacre site. By the time the children were returned to Arkansas, only the older ones had memories of who they were and who might be a relative. The younger ones had been given new names by their captors and it was difficult/impossible to match them with their Arkansas relatives.

I'm on the wait list for the Jon Krakauer library e-book. Still haven't read it.

Buddy, you're not far behind reading the journal because I'm making it after the tour. I still have the last two days to finish, just in time for my next theme tour which starts on June 20. That's a 12 day tour to 26 covered bridges in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Staying close to home this time.
I'm amazed that you knew about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. You are well informed. Were the victims from Arkansas?
I think I did a fairly good job of making my journal about a bike tour through Mormon country, and not an anti-Mormon rant. That would be boring and mean-spirited. I enjoyed the "differentness" of it all, kind of like touring Buddhist temples in Thailand.

Similar to Scott's comment; I stayed at Panguitch after first climbing to Cedar Breaks from Cedar City on the Western Express route. The climb up from Cedar Breaks is substantial, but the descent to Panguitch is fantastic! We stayed at the Canyon hotel, 1 block north of your hotel. I remember it well - your journal is bringing back memories.

Well, if I had read ahead I wouldn't have mentioned this book earlier - so make that 2 recommendations for this book - it's pretty good insight into the Mormon culture

Wayne; I'm a bit late in getting around to reading this journal, but really looking forward to "following along" albeit 1 month behind! You and I share the same un-belief in magic; it's hard to be an earth scientist and believe the earth was created by magic 5,000 years ago. Being from Arkansas, I was always aware of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, although most folks from Arkansas aren't. I've always had an interest in cultural anthropology - couldn't see how I could make a living with it though, so my first major was geology - so I am looking forward to reading this journal. Years ago I read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer - it's a fascinating depiction of Mormon history and present-day culture, well worth reading. Sorry I didn't notice this journal and follow along in real-time, but I'm diving in now. Also; I found a source of one of the religious affiliation maps you posted and copied it to possibly use in an upcoming tour I will take through mostly Southern Baptist country - thanks for posting that map to kick in my own curiosity.

Your note about town prices is interesting. The prices in Saguache were also notable. A can of V-8 juice (not the bottle), was only $1.69. This vs almost $4.00 for the smaller bottle at Taylor Park. There, I think the remoteness allows them to set whatever price they like. It is a campground.

Saguache is even more remote, by the miles, but is a small town.

I paid $6.50 for a spinach salad with nuts and craisins in Saguache.

Other dinner and grocery prices were similarly low.

Here’s my question- how can proprietors charge so little for their items when, presumably, their costs have gone up?

What a cool connection to the "other Wayne Estes" !

It looks like Rabbit Brush but I never knew it could bloom in May. Rabbit brush blooms in the fall in Oregon's high desert.

Might be some species of rabbitbrush. Hard to tell without more detail.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbitbrush

Love that organ! It would be fun to play.

I'm not a movie buff, but I looked it up. It sounds like a good story of bad guys redeeming themselves by accomplishing "impossible" things. I guess the 10th Mountain Division wasn't available. Two movies that you've never heard of were filmed in my little town. One of them, "Fire in the Sky" starred James Garner.

The Jordan River was until recently heavily polluted and smelled bad.

Industry and residents used it as a dump for chemicals and garbage.

I built a kayak when I was in my early teens and used paddle it from time to time because I lived nearby.

My late uncle was a member of this gold club. The family reserved the dining area for his funeral diner.

My parents live near here. I brought my bike once and did part of this trail in the very early morning, before anyone else was on the trail.