Utahns Joseph and Shalisse Johnstun were young Mormon singles — he a history buff, she an English major — when they carpooled back to Omaha, Neb., for the 1997 wagon train re-enactment.
They pulled handcarts side by side until Shalisse realized how "stupid that was," she recalls, so she hopped on the Utah Centennial Wagon, eventually driving the team for much of the way.
The two spent the next three months "geeking out together," Joseph says, got married shortly afterward and today live in Madison, Iowa, in a "gorgeous" 1887 home with their three children.
Lessons from the wagon train linger, Shalisse says. "At one point in Nowhere, Wyoming, a grumpy guy's wagon wheel broke. Despite their feelings about the guy, everyone jumped down to help him get to camp."
Most people have the same "end goal — to be happy or to get to Zion — whatever that is," she says. "And even though we are different, it is essential to help each other out."
Yuuup, Joseph affirms.
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Joseph and Shalesse Johnstun met on the wagon train 20 years ago, fell in love and got married that same year. Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Rick Egan | Salt Lake Tribune File Photo Joseph Johnstun, Salt Lake City, walked most of the way from Nauvoo, in memory of his Great Great, Grandfather Jessie Walker Johnstun.
Rick Egan | Salt Lake Tribune File Photo Joseph Johnstun, Salt Lake City, is over come with emotion as he enters This Is The Place State Park. Johnston walked most of the way from Nauvoo, in memory of his Great Great, Grandfather Jessie Walker Johnstun.
Rick Egan | Salt Lake Tribune File Photo Joseph Johnstun, Salt Lake City, walked most of the way from Nauvoo, in memory of his Great Great, Grandfather Jessie Walker Johnstun.
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