Palmyra, New York

When we found out we had a chance at free housing in Brooklyn, New York, and found out it was during trek, Melia suggested we go to the Sacred Grove. She was kinda joking, but Keenan and I figured it would be a good thing to do. We also added Washington, DC, to the end of the trip, since we "were in the neighborhood."

We spent Friday in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Then we drove from the falls to Palmyra. We first stopped at the Hill Cumorah, since we saw it before getting into town. People wondered if we were there for pageant auditions. Nope. We were just there for a visit. We weren't going to see the pageant, either. The timing just didn't work out. We walked to the top. There were bugs and it was muggy. We never got used to the humidity. I was tired. We checked into the Palmyra Inn, which was a nice place near the sacred grove, temple etc. I rested while Keenan and the girls went into town to get pizza, sodas and treats. It was so nice to relax and enjoy yummy pizza. I love pizza. I don't think I'll ever get sick of pizza. I could eat it everyday. 

We love pizza ANYWHERE!

Our first full day of the vacation was Saturday, July 5th. We went to the Sacred Grove, the Joseph Smith home and the Whitmer farm. We also had a quick tour at the Grandin Press building where the Book of Mormon was published. It was really special to be in the small log Smith home, where Joseph lived when he had the first vision. We stood in the room where Angel Moroni came to Joseph. We walked from that home to Hyrum's barrel-making shop and to Alvin's home. Alvin was building a nice frame home when he died. The Smith family moved there after his death. We enjoyed a quiet walk in the grove. It was peaceful. We could hear birds and got really nice pictures. I had hoped we could take our kids to either Nauvoo or Palmyra before the left the nest. I feel fortunate that we could take the girls to both. They really enjoyed it.

While at the Grandin Press building we learned of the man who keeps the grounds of the sacred grove. He has been a caretaker of a number of groves. He's not LDS. He says this grove definitely has a peaceful feeling to it. That's his full-time job. Cool how the church spares no expense to take care of our history and preserve it for future generations.

Top of Hill Cumorah

Keenan and Allie at Hill Cumorah

Allie and Melia in the Smith Family frame home

Look at that kitchen! Smith family frame home. Big improvement from the log home

Alvin tree planted by the Smith family near frame home in memory of Alvin Smith

Beautiful garden at Smith home

Hyrum's barrel-making shop. Looks like grandpa's shop.

path to Sacred Grove

Beautiful morning in the Sacred Grove

Keenan and me at Palmyra Temple. Girls wouldn't pose with us :(