Again I’m skipping around on the timeline. This happened Sunday evening. And again the photos aren’t toned properly and some look outright awful.

We were just on our way out of Eldorado, with thoughts of a good meal and comfy bed in our minds after a day of work. And then a school bus turned down the road heading to the YFZ Ranch. We stopped and all I could think was, if something is going to happen, let it be fast. It had been a long day.

After a short while the bus came over the hill on its way back. As it passed, we saw that it was loaded with women and children. They were still finding people out there, apparently. Amazing. The bus headed to San Angelo, escorted by three police vehicles. We followed.

On the chase, I called one of the other journalists to let him know that a bus was en route, loaded with people. This guy and I had been exchanging information and helping each other out all along. When I called he was on his way to get dinner and call it an early night after putting in long hours yesterday and today. He said, “Trent, when are you going to stop chasing buses?”

He had a point. We had already done this earlier in the day when the buses loaded up in Eldorado. What were we going to get that we didn’t already have? A big part of me wanted to join him at a good restaurant and get some down time.

But I didn’t want to miss a thing. This is history. Besides, Brooke would have kicked my ___ if I even suggested it. (And rightfully so.)

I’ll make this short. When the bus got to Fort Concho, I went to a spot to watch for the people unloading but they never came anywhere I could see them. Another pair of photographers are standing with me watching the field and the buildings where the FLDS women and children were being held, which is way across a large open field. We can’t get anywhere near close, but I’ve got a 600mm lens that makes me think I can. After waiting and waiting it’s clear that we’re getting nothing and we all give up and prepare to leave.

Just then we see an FLDS woman walking with three young boys. We start photographing again. After a little while a bigger group gathers and they begin exchanging hugs. I’m lining it up with a Texas State Trooper in the foreground, and it’s a great moment with some real content.

What I don’t realize at this moment is that someone important in the FLDS Church has arrived, maybe on the bus that we followed. We are apparently witnessing a reunion of sorts.

The older woman in the light blue dress attracted a lot of attention. There were many hugs and tears. She comforted a lot of younger girls. She was obviously a matriarch of the community and commanded great respect.

I don’t know who she is yet. But I definitely see a strong resemblance to Warren Jeffs. After a few minutes, it appeared that the matriarch had to go back to where they were keeping her, away from the others. That’s when this younger woman began to cry, surrounded by CPS workers:

It was a powerful, emotional scene. As I’ve said here before, something I’ll never forget.