Being 7 years old was not a good age to be when Diantha's family crossed the Great Plains of America in 1848. Diantha was too big to ride in the wagon, and too big to ride double on the small pony purchased for her crippled sister to ride. . .... so Diantha walked. She walked every step of the way to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. She walked long after her shoes wore out. She walked barefoot over briars and hot rocks; and her feet bled long before the callouses developed and provided some comfort. Nevertheless, she walked .... and did not. . .