Ultimate Vacation Part 1

After months of planning, saving, and almost canceling the whole thing once or twice, we finally went on our "Ultimate Vacation!" It was a 2 week trip starting in Idaho and ending in Philadelphia. We spent a lot of time in the car but it was fun because we listened to some books on tape—like the Hunger Games series and Harry Potter. Our friend, Kaity, was nice enough to let us drive her car to Philadelphia for her. It was so much fun and I wasn't ready to come home, but you have to face reality sometime or other. And we're already planning where we want to go on our next vacation!

Days 1 and 2 were driving days. We drove from Pocatello to Kansas City.

Liberty Jail

Adam Ondi Ahmen

Day 3 we went to Liberty Jail, Independence Jail, the Far West Temple site, and Adam Ondi Ahmen.

Nauvoo Temple

Day 4 we went to Nauvoo and saw the sites there. We also saw Carthage Jail. We wish we could have spent more than a day there because there's so much to do and see, but we just didn't have enough time. We did do a session in the temple. It's so beautiful.

The Buckwalter Family at Isaac's baptism

Days 5 through 6 we visited the Buckwalters. We planned it just right so we'd hit Isaac's baptism. We were so grateful to get to be there for Isaac's big day. He's such a great kid. We really enjoyed our time with the Buckwalters and were sad to have to say goodbye.

Kirtland Temple

Day 7 we went to Kirtland to see the church history sites there. We planned this trip at a perfect time, right after the busy season, so we were often the only ones on the tours. That made us feel special. And we were able to relax and feel the spirit while we were in these wonderful places.

Cedar Point

And what would the "Ultimate Vacation" be without the thrilling amusement park? We went to Cedar point on Day 8. It was a blast. We went on some scary rides. One shot us 400 feet in the air at 120 mph! I had my eyes closed the whole time. But it was a lot of fun and we went on the rides till we felt sick.

Sacred Grove

Whitmore Home

Day 9 we went to Palmyra, New York and saw the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, and the printing press. I enjoyed revisiting the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I kinda wish we'd been there during the pageant so I could show it to David but I'm glad we came when it wasn't so crowded. We also visited the Peter Whitmore home.

Harmony/Susquehanna River

That same day we went to Harmony, PA to see the birthplace of Joseph Smith. There was only a sign there that said he'd grown up there. No home. No tours. But it was still cool. And then we went to the Susquehanna River. It was a beautiful evening and we skipped rocks for a while. It was such a peaceful place.