Wednesday, September 3, 2008

After Summer Adventure Part 1

Chris worked hard this summer, very hard. So August 30th was a date that we were looking to for a long time. At approx. 9:30 pm on August 30th, we left Pittsburgh. So long, farewell, thanks to the many families who now own an Apx Alarm and helped pay our bills.



There were no hotels available where we were planning on staying. So we luckily found this fabulous "mansion" at 2:30 in the morning. It was built in 1820 and our room looked like it was decorated in the 1980's. Blue shag carpet in our room! I was hoping to see a ghost. I would've settled for the ghost in corduroy bell bottoms or the ghost in the turn of the century petticoat. I didn't see either. But it was a great place to chock up to our many travel adventures.



Our first stop was Palmyra, NY. It was a beautiful Sunday morning when we pulled up to the Hill Cumorah site. It was so incredibly peaceful and I could not get over how rural this small town still seemed. The landscape view from the hill almost seemed unchanged to what it might have looked like almost 200 years ago to Joseph Smith. It truly seemed a tender mercy to me that a loving Heavenly Father preserved this special place for so long, dating all the way back to when Moroni was here burying the plates. It is a special place.


I wasn't sure what to expect when we walked toward the Sacred Grove. I almost imagined a small section of trees with a sign indicating where the prophet Joseph Smith had The First Vision. But the grove was so large and absolutely beautiful. Walking along the pathway, the spirit was so sweet and peaceful. What a wonderful blessing from our Heavenly Father to keep this place so holy so we could strengthen our testimonies of the restoration of the true church on the earth today. It was amazing.







More to come...including fish and Fenway!


3 comments:

The Colbys... written by Erin said...

Oh I'm so jealous of all you APXers who are now done with APX and get to vacation! We've just started the hard part of our year... school!! Glad you guys are getting some great east coast sites in. LOVE Palmyra huh??!! Let us know when you're coming through NYC! Can't wait to see ya!

David and Brooke Gallagher said...

Hey Dave and I are so glad that you guys are back together and having so much fun doing so. We can't wait until you guys get home! And we can't wait for part 2 and etc!!!!

Rach Williams said...

Travel safe because I would hate for something to bad to happen to my little Kara. Remember, don't merge over into the same lane as a Semi-truck... they are bigger than you and will kill you! Please be safe. I can hardly wait until you are back in Utah. Let me know the minute you get here and we'll get together. I am psycho busy so I promise that we'll be in touch!! Loves.