The mega-road trip continues: Palmyra, NY

View from the Hill Cumorah

   When my parents were planning their trip to come out for Emmett's blessing, they decided they wanted to take advantage of being on the East coast and see some of the LDS church history sites up in Palmyra.  Wanting to maximize time with my family and never wanting to miss out on a good road trip, Clark and I decided we'd just extend our Pennsylvania trip up to New York.  Yes, it meant lots of combined hours in the car, but with a power adapter and a breast pump, we were really able to minimize stops and travel and with happy baby.  

   Wednesday evening we left York, PA and drove 5 hours North through some small towns and winding roads (it was probably quite scenic, but it was dark most of the time) to Palmyra, NY.  My parents and 3 youngest siblings arrived late that night.  We stayed in a comfortable house within walking distance to many of the church history sites, and my Dad and two of my brothers finally got to meet Emmett.  

   Even though our night ended late, we had a busy day ahead of us and started early.  While my parents and siblings headed to the temple, Clark and I cleaned up the house...and our baby.  We were thankful that we hadn't headed out to the sites before this little explosion happened.  :)

 We first visited the Hill Cumorah.  And when they say "hill," they weren't kidding around!  It was a pretty steep walk, but it did have a lovely view at the top. 

 The visitor's center there is a beautiful building.

 My sweet family--half of them, anyway!

 This is the local LDS church in Palmyra.  Such a pretty building.

 It was a chilly morning, but Clark, Emmett and I took a quick stroll around the Palmyra temple grounds. 

I love the stained glass.

 Next we visited the Smith Family Farm.  Here we are in front of the Smith family's cabin.

 The temple was built on part of the original farm acreage. 

 The grounds were so beautiful in their fall colors.  Here is the family again.  Emmett is camouflaged in the sling I'm wearing. 

 This is an amazing shot my mom took in the Sacred Grove.  Isn't it beautiful?  There is an undeniable sacred spirit in this place.  It was a cool morning and it definitely wasn't tourist season, so we enjoyed a walk through the grove all by ourselves. 

 

   Downtown Palmyra is very quaint.  Here we visited the Grandin Building, where the Book of Mormon was first published.  Unfortunately, Emmett had a meltdown so my mom and I couldn't stay for the tour, which was quite fascinating, according to the others.

Emmett is lucky to have such sweet, adoring grandparents.

 We stumbled upon a very tasty pizza place for lunch.  Even though it was a little dumpy inside, the pizza was incredible (I still find myself wishing I could have it again).  One of the best memories from this place is when my dad disappeared for 15 minutes and returned with hot chocolate for us all.  It was a very kind gesture, but the hot chocolate was the most horrible hot chocolate ever made!  It even smelled awful!  Once dad told the story of the store he bought it, we all laughed and chose not to drink the hot chocolate.  Funny times. 

Emmett has some pretty great uncles, too.  Here he is with Uncle Quin before is major meltdown at the Grandin Building.