Tour of America Day #4

 We went international on this trip- The Canadian Border Crossing.

 We were hopeful this would be a quick show them our passports and the kids birth certificates and answer a few questions but alas no. They were shocked we had driven from Texas. Then asked Peter if he owned any firearms. Peter being honest said yes some rifles for hunting. The guard then asked if we ever travel with them. No, unless we are hunting or moving. Did we have any with us now? No. A few more questions- what are your professions.... And then another, are you sure you do not have any firearms with you? No. Okay, well you will need to pull over to that parking space by that building and some officers will be with you shortly, do not get out of your vehicle. 

Then 3 officers came out and asked us to all get out of our car and proceeded to search the whole car. They asked what was in the rooftop carrier and Peter said luggage. More specific sir. Clothes, toiletries. The kids were really curious and we were just praying that the kids would not say something (not sure what) that would cause more questioning. After about 5 minutes, they let us back in our car. Crazy! 

 We parked a little ways away from the main action but it was free! 

 Niagara's Fury- it is a little video about the history of Niagara Falls and then you go into a room and stand on a platform that shakes and rumbles and water is sprayed at you and mist as you experience the formation of Niagara Falls. 

 Journey Behind the Falls

I don't know that this part where you go down a tunnel and stand behind the falls is really that impressive but there is an observation deck that you can walk out on that provides an upclose view of the falls. 

 So much water! 

 We had a lovely walk down to our next adventure and were able to have this lovely view of the American Falls. I think they are truly breathtaking with the cascading rocks. 

 We all loved the ride on the Hornblower. There was some wind and so the mist was spraying all over us. We were all soaked by the end of the ride. It felt good. 

 After the hornblower and some snacks we rode the bus down to the River Walk. 

This is a must see in my opinion. There is some incredible power in the water that is rushing down this river from the falls; huge rapids and waves. It is a true force of nature. 

 We then rode the bus again up to the butterfly conservatory. 

Jon was the butterfly whisperer. He had more butterflies land on him than anyone else. Samantha did finally have one land on her but we did not catch it on camera. 

We ended our time in Canada with some souvenirs at Niagara and then headed to Walmart for some Canadian candy and treats. 

There were a ton of cars crossing the border and so that took a really long time but we were eventually moving along and made our way to Manlius, New York and the Boyer family's house where we stayed two nights. It was such a joyous reunion with friends we had not seen in 14 years. Our kids totally hit it off and played so well together. At one point on our drive home, at the end of this trip we asked where the kids might like to go on a future trip and there was more than one vote to visit the Boyer's again. 

Tour of America Day #3

We attended church in a lovely ward not far from Kirtland. 

We then headed to actual Kirtland and  started our day at the Temple. 

 The grounds were beautiful and we had a nice time walking around and enjoying them. 

During the tour, I was continuously in awe at the amount of manual labor that was required to build such a sacred building. The saints were aware of the sacred nature of what they were constructing and were willing to give of there time and talents.  It is different today when a temple or church is built. The church is obviously in a vastly different financial situation and of course there is the advancement of technology that allows for greater ease in construction. I love the temple and the peace I feel there when I attend or sometimes just think of it. But, I have to wonder if I would hold it even more sacred if I had to sacrifice more to enjoy such blessings, as these early saints did. 

 A lovely family from Chicago took this for us. 

 These kids are my world. 

They each wanted a picture- okay mostly the girls and I asked the boys to take one too. 

 The Newell K Whitney store was really interesting. I love how they have worked to preserve it. And to think of the revelation that took place there, was incredible. 

 There is a book there of people that made purchases and I found one of my ancestors- Albert Miner. I wish I would have taken a few minutes to search for a few others. Seeing his name there (I actually guided Jon in finding it) I felt something of a connection to this place. My ancestors walked here, worked here, lived here; this is a part of my story. 

 After we had a great tour of some other Kirtland sites and took different kids to the bathroom at different times at least a dozen times, we went to the Isaac Morley Farm. 

 Peter had felt really strongly that we should go here. It is a short mile or so up the road from Kirtland (or what we as members think of as Kirtland). As the sister missionary was explaining who Isaac Morely was and what his role in the early days of the church was, she talked of a time after they had left Kirtland and were in Nauvoo. She spoke of an attack when some men were killed defending their homes including Edmond Durfee- my ancestor (Albert Miner's father-in-law). It was surreal to hear an ancestors name mentioned.  Then I suddenly remembered that when the Durfees and Miners moved to Kirtland they had lived on some land that was offered to saints and yes, you are right it was the Morley farm. 

There was once a school house a ways up from here and general conference was held there. 

Below is a picture of the field (all the way to the trees off in the distance) where Isaac Morley offered newly arriving saints to settle. I am grateful for his generosity.  

 We were so glad to have made it to the Johnson farm just in time to get a tour. 

This home was so beautiful and truly a fine house. Again, I am in awe at the generosity and hospitality of people at this time. I don't think this was something that was only common to the saints of the church but I would think it true of people of other walks of life. I do know that there were people that were constantly driving the saints from place to place so it was not common to everyone.  I do wonder if this same characteristic of sharing what we have and using it to support a good cause is as powerful in people now as it was then. 

I could not get over the size of these hydrangeas. So big and so beautiful!  

We drove past some Amish farms! It was so much fun to see! 

Being as it was Sunday, there were several farms we passed that were having large parties/gatherings and so there were tons of buggies parked next to each other and a whole lot of people in black and plain blue and purple dresses. And the buggies on the road and the buggy sign (a bit blurry below). There are supposed to be some great Amish restaurants in the area but they are closed on Sunday-so sad!  

 We started the day in Ohio, drove through part of Pennsylvania and made it to New York.

 We stayed that night in Niagara Falls, New York. 

Tour of America Day #2

We started our day at Mammoth Caves (not named after mammoths the animal but for their size) where we went on two tours of some different areas of these extensive cave system. I loved the history of the caves. Peter and I felt an awe at the spirit of adventure, courage, and discovery in the early years of the cave. It was not just men but women as well. 

If you find yourself in Kentucky, we highly recommend visiting this place.  

 We made sure to take lots of selfies together while on our trip. 

 We quickly discovered why infant/child carriers or backpacks are not allowed. There are many areas where you must duck or bend in odd angles to pass through. There were so many stairs but the kids did great. We helped Samantha with a lot of them but she was quite strong. Each tour had at least 300 stairs. 

Arabella and Frozen Niagara. 

We asked a couple to take a picture of our whole family. It was so green and beautiful there. 

We would like to thank Burger King for the amazing deal of 2 cheeseburgers, a fry and a drink for $3.49.  It was a perfect meal and we got crowns!  

The Royal Couple

We drove from Mammoth Caves to Independence, OH. That hotel room was the worst of them all. It was a smoking room and smelled horrible but the hotel was booked completely so we made do. We all fell asleep quickly and were thankful for a place to rest. 

Tour of America Day #1

We have been planning this trip for years and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. While we were planning it we started calling it the Tour of America since we were going to travel so far and go through so many states. 

This amazing man did a whole lot of driving over the 10 days we traveled.

We drove from home through Arkansas and Tennessee and to Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

 Tennessee was a welcome site because we were in need of a break. 

I had found this great park and it was a perfect place to spend a little time not in the car. 

It was a great day of driving and the kids did great!

We arrived at the hotel with some time to relax and enjoy our luck of getting 2 rooms instead of one due to some repairs being made in the hotel and our original room was involved. It 

Musical Number

We were asked to perform as a family in sacrament meeting. I think it turned out quite well! 

I am so proud of all of my family for singing and playing in front of so many- it is a hard thing to do. 

Fourth of July

 Our Fourth of July was wonderful! 

The annual ward pancake breakfast. Our boys were able to help with the flag raising ceremony. 

After pancakes, we headed out for the children's bike parade and sno-cones. 

 She loved decorating her bike and insisted on having her puppy in the little seat but did she ride her bike in the parade- no. She sat on it and let us push her a little - meaning about 2 feet before she started to cry- so we just let her sit on it. 

 I am horrible about remembering to get pictures on some holidays but I am so glad I remembered this year! We are a good looking bunch. 

It would not be the 4th of July without swimming at the Ostermiller's. 

We love the Ostermiller's and the generosity of them on these fun summer holidays! 

We will hold dear the memories, laughing, discussions, and food!