What an amazing weekend, seriously we slept all of 8 hours from saturday evening to monday evening but our adventure was well worth the sleep deprivation!
Austin came home from work on saturday night around 9 PM and announced we were driving to Palmyra that night (5 hour drive) to see all of the church history sites. Sierra and Jake decided to join our adventure. We figured that it must not be too crazy of an idea because all Austin had to say was the word-"Palmyra"? and they were in. And so our adventure began. We left at 10:30 pm (wow, it takes me FOREVER to pack....Here are some thoughts going through my head almost every time I pack--"my toothpaste is almost out--I'll grab another one just in case," "Austin might want his cologne", "I'll grab my bathing suit, maybe there will be a hot tub," "I better grab walking shoes, flip flops and church shoes", "I better get a pillow, I might not like the one at the hotel"...--you get the idea. We were going on a ONE day trip people, packing shouldn't be SO hard. Oh but it is. For me anyway).
Between trying to figure out directions and our excitement none of us were able to sleep in the car on our way up there. We got to our hotel at 4am--it was a cute little hotel right in the middle of all of the church history sites. What a find Austin, you rock. We got in bed (two twin beds pushed together---I thought only cruise ships were that cheap) and in about 4 hours Sierra was up. And when anyone is up--that means I'm up. And when I'm up...well Austin can sleep through anything but I got him up at 9 for breakfast. Sleep deprivation began.
The Palmyra Inn:
There just isn't enough room for both of us in this picture.
We left the hotel and went straight to the Palmyra Temple. Austin's dad helped build it. It is beautiful and is surrounded by so much history--I bet if you told Joseph Smith that a temple would be built just down the road from his family's farm he wouldn't have believed you. Oh wait, he probably would have! =) But the temple is there-- all because of his faith, dilligence and obediance. Amazing.
There just isn't enough room for both of us in this picture.
We left the hotel and went straight to the Palmyra Temple. Austin's dad helped build it. It is beautiful and is surrounded by so much history--I bet if you told Joseph Smith that a temple would be built just down the road from his family's farm he wouldn't have believed you. Oh wait, he probably would have! =) But the temple is there-- all because of his faith, dilligence and obediance. Amazing.
Palmyra New York Temple:
We then went to the Smith Farm:
The Sacred Grove. Beautiful.
Smith Homes:
11 People lived here at one point.
Hill Cumorah:
Site where the Book of Mormon was published:
The Erie Canal:
Famous 4 church corner--each church is a different religion. This corner is famous because it depicts all of the religious confusion during that time.
Alvin Smith's grave.
Mark's Pizzeria. Decent pizza. Famous because Bill Clinton ate there. Brrrm! (wish we would have known this BEFORE we ordered!).
We went to this candy shoppe and there was a note from the owner saying she would be back in 10 minutes--it had been over an hour since she wrote the note. We were very bummed because we wanted some treats for our drive to Niagara Falls! So Austin and Jake attempted to beckon her back by holding up the sign in front of her shoppe for the oncoming traffic. When that didn't work we drove around for about 10 minutes asking any and every heavier set lady on the street if she owned the store. Austin assumed that if you work at a candy/fudge/icecream shoppe you're probably heavy set. What a stereotype. It sure was funny though. After the whole ordeal all Austin had to say about it was: "that sign sure was heavy!"
On another whim we decided to drive the 2 hours up to Niagara Falls. It was already 5 PM when we were done seeing all of the church history sites but we couldn't resist going since we were so close. We are so glad we did!
Behind us is the Smith Farm.
Look at the cool "tree" design on the doors.
Always playing around...
And then there was the bat... this bat added about 45 minutes to our stay on the temple grounds. Austin was determined to get it to bite onto his key (I hope no animal activists are reading this post...it was harmless, really. =) Did any of you know that bats hiss?)
We then went to the Smith Farm:
The Sacred Grove. Beautiful.
Smith Homes:
11 People lived here at one point.
The room where Joseph Smith was visited by Moroni.
Alvin's home the Smith Family finished & moved into after he died. 85% of this home is still original.
Plates were hidden underneath these bricks.
Exact replica of the box where the plates were kept.
Hill Cumorah:
What a cutie. I heart him. Lots!
Like I said....always messing around. Hand stands on Hill Cumorah.
Site where the Book of Mormon was published:
Bookstore--Many of the same titles that were in the store during that time are on display there now.
One of the original Book's of Mormon.
The Erie Canal:
Famous 4 church corner--each church is a different religion. This corner is famous because it depicts all of the religious confusion during that time.
Alvin Smith's grave.
Mark's Pizzeria. Decent pizza. Famous because Bill Clinton ate there. Brrrm! (wish we would have known this BEFORE we ordered!).
We went to this candy shoppe and there was a note from the owner saying she would be back in 10 minutes--it had been over an hour since she wrote the note. We were very bummed because we wanted some treats for our drive to Niagara Falls! So Austin and Jake attempted to beckon her back by holding up the sign in front of her shoppe for the oncoming traffic. When that didn't work we drove around for about 10 minutes asking any and every heavier set lady on the street if she owned the store. Austin assumed that if you work at a candy/fudge/icecream shoppe you're probably heavy set. What a stereotype. It sure was funny though. After the whole ordeal all Austin had to say about it was: "that sign sure was heavy!"
On another whim we decided to drive the 2 hours up to Niagara Falls. It was already 5 PM when we were done seeing all of the church history sites but we couldn't resist going since we were so close. We are so glad we did!
Twist o' the mist. Icecream +big waterfalls=happiness. Delicious home made icecream. Actually, I think I was the only one who enjoyed mine. But how can you go wrong with cotton candy and bubblegum flavors mixed in a waffle bowl? They should have had what I had.
The Falls!
At night the falls are lit up in all different colors. So cool!
Sierra and I were soaking wet by the time we left because even though the wind was blowing sprays of water-we still went to the edge and looked at the falls while they were being illuminated. I should have brought that rain coat and umbrella I deliberated about packing...he he he.
Fireworks are shot over Niagara falls every Sunday during the summer. We waited until 9:30 pm but finally decided to leave since we had a 7 hour drive a head of us. We found out later we missed the fireworks by half an hour. bummer. I guess we're just going to have to go back again during the summer sometime so we can see the fireworks---maybe next summer we'll be back in NYC? If it is up to me we will be but I think Austin wants to explore a different part of this beautiful country. =(
The Falls!
What can I say? I was really excited--I was running to the falls while flapping my arms up and down. Sierra was so kind as to catch it on camera. =)
Niagra Falls at sunset
At night the falls are lit up in all different colors. So cool!
Sierra and I were soaking wet by the time we left because even though the wind was blowing sprays of water-we still went to the edge and looked at the falls while they were being illuminated. I should have brought that rain coat and umbrella I deliberated about packing...he he he.
We cuddled up for a short nap while waiting for the fireworks to start.
Fireworks are shot over Niagara falls every Sunday during the summer. We waited until 9:30 pm but finally decided to leave since we had a 7 hour drive a head of us. We found out later we missed the fireworks by half an hour. bummer. I guess we're just going to have to go back again during the summer sometime so we can see the fireworks---maybe next summer we'll be back in NYC? If it is up to me we will be but I think Austin wants to explore a different part of this beautiful country. =(
We didn't get home until 4:30 monday morning and we all had to be up before 9 AM but it was an absolutely wonderful weekend. These pictures don't do our trip justice. Austin is teaching me that sometimes the spur of the moment adventures are more fun than the well organized ones I always plan. I love being married to such a spontaneous and adventurous guy!
5 comments:
wow... you guys sure are having fun out there! when are you coming back to utah? i love that you were able to see all those church sights and especially niagra falls at night. i keep telling josh we need to go back east and do all those sights! someday!
So as far as the merchandise - I went to the main store and the guy wouldn't give me a card, he only gave me some crazy website www.replicab2b and the company home address is in china! The other store for kids only took cash. You may have to go down in person and look around a bit. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help Layla.
what a fun trip! everything looks so gorgeous! brandons grandparents used to be mission presidents in palmyra, so he got a private tours to all of those places and he said it was the most amazing experience. hopefully one day we'll make it out there together
We are hoping to go out to New York to visit some friends this fall and go to all of those places - they are so beautiful. Hopefully we will spread them out a bit so we get a little more rest ;) I am surprised someone was able to stay awake and drive.
What a fun trip! That's really funny about the candy shoppe. I hope the real owner was alright, thats a LONG time to be gone!
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