Yes, I realize I haven't been on here in forever, oh well. Today I had the opportunity to explore a bunch more of the southwest I haven't seen before. I went to Modena, a tiny little rail road town, that looks like there isn't a soul that lives there, and besides the few residents, no one would ( duh Austin) When I visit these old western towns, it always gets my mind running and wishing that I could of been alive during the expansion of the west. For my own salvation, I'm glad I wasn't... heavenly father knew I shouldn't of been alive then, because frankly, I am a bandit of sorts and if I was in a lawless time... who knows how my life would of played out. In western movies, I am always rooting for the Outlaws. The ones who live life like it was their last day on earth ( most days it was..) These outlaws, made (took) money from rich people, traveled the world on their Nobel steed, always seem to get the ladies, and get to play with guns all day, when living the luxurious life you travel via the railroad and you are always dressing up to the 9's even when robbing a train. 
Besides Modena and other little towns along the 56, I stopped by The Mountain Meadows massacre.... a place I've always heard about, and wanted to go to, but never have. What happened there, over those few days, was a major dark time for the Mormon church.. while it would be dumb to guess why the Mormon militia massacred these other pioneers from Arkansas, the only reasonable reason why, is that the Mormon pioneers were very tired of getting mistreated and often times killed because of their religion. So, they decided to be on the offensive and not be pushed around anymore. Again, this is just a assumption, I do not agree with their actions, but I was not in their situation. This was a terribly unfortunate time, for not only the Mormon religion, but for western expansion. Just like the old west towns I occasionally visit and wish I was an outlaw, I too wonder if I could have been a pioneer and made the journey across the ocean and across the young country we are so lucky to live in. I always am so grateful for what the pioneers did, they sacrificed themselves so they and future generations could enjoy religious freedom.
