It was nice to wake up and know we didn’t have to rush out of a hotel at least for a few days. We let the kids sleep in. They slept on aunt Mel's new super comfortable couch downstairs. The windows downstairs were left open all night which freaked me out so I checked on the kids a few times during the night then Jason checked in on them and aunt Mel did a few rounds as well. Aunt Mel teased us about worrying so much because out in the styx as she calls it nothing really happens. She wasn't kidding when she would tell us about living in the Styx. Cell reception unless you have Verizon is not easy to find in Bliss. The nearest store/town is 30 minutes away in any direction.
While the kids slept aunt Mel and Jason went to the grocery store. By the time they got back we were ready to go and visit Palmyra.
After Jason returned we left aunt Mel's for a few hours. Aunt Mel lives about an hour away which was a perfect travel time from Palmyra. Upstate is so full of fun small villages and towns. It drive me nuts to be able to drive at 55 mph for 5 minutes then the speed limit would drop to 35 thru a town then back to 55 then 35 over and over again. It was annoying. My rule as far as speed was 7 over period (for the most part we followed my rule if you don't count a few states). Luckily we never got a ticket on the whole trip.The first stop once we reached Palmyra was Hill Cumorah. The kids loved the interactive stories in the visitor center.
After spending a little time in the visitor center and taking a bathroom break we walked up the hill to the statue.
Our second stop was at the Smith farm/cabin and Sacred Grove just a few minutes away.
At this church site we went to the visiter center first. Sister T from sunny California was our guide. We walked over to the Smith cabin first.
It was cozy and tiny. On the tour Korbin was constantly telling Sister T little facts about the sites. She loved it!
Korbin and Madion checking out Joseph's bed. In pictures at home we've always seen Joseph Smith alone when Moroni visits him but once we were in the cabin we noticed an extra bed, Sister T let us Joseph wasn't alone in the room at the time of the visit. He shared a room with his siblings and not one of them woke up thru out the night.
After the cabin visit we headed to the house that some of the Smith's lived in. On the way Sister T told us about a gardener and something really cool he did for member of the church. The city wouldn't allow the church to trim trees between the farm and the temple for visitors to get a great view of the temple from the farm. Well this non member spent a long time trimming each tree little by little until after a period of time he made a nice opening for us members and visitors to enjoy.
I can't say I feel bad he did it. We now have a great family picture.
Inside the Smith home we saw the bricks that the plates were hidden under. Korbin again told Sis T all about it before she got to it. She had to giggle.
Next we went to the print shop. The first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed there. It was labor intensive to make the books back then. The whole tour was really cool.
Korbin was able to make a small souvenir to bring back home. After visiting the print shop we went back home and had authentic NY made hot dogs for dinner.
After baths and showers we went to bed. We feel really lucky and humbled to have been able to make it to the church sites we visited.
Post 6 of 16
Location: New York
After baths and showers we went to bed. We feel really lucky and humbled to have been able to make it to the church sites we visited.
Post 6 of 16
Location: New York
1 comment:
It looks like you had those places all to yourself. That is the way to see them! I've been once during the off season and once during pageant time and it makes a world of difference. Just say no to crowds. I'm glad you had such a good experience there.
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