Palmyra, New York

Our last goal for our family vacation this summer was to visit sites that have historical significance for our Church. So, from Boston we traveled west through upstate New York until we arrived in the quaint town of Palmyra.

Our first stop was the visitor's center at the Hill Cumorah.

After a quick climb to the top we headed to the Smith Family Farm and the Sacred Grove.

Next, we toured the site of the publication of the first Book of Mormon (Grandin Building) in historic downtown Palmyra. We ran into one of Kellie's friends who used to play basketball and soccer with her in high school. She is serving an 18-month mission for our church in this area.

Not far from Palmyra in Waterloo is the Peter Whitmer Log Home where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830.

This video tells the story of my Church's beginnings. It will help you understand why we wanted to bring our children here. I believe and know that these things really did happen. Email me if you want to know more.

Boston

Brian travels to Boston at least once a year for his Virtual Labs so he was really looking forward to showing the kids this historic city during our "Education Vacation."

I insisted that our first stop be the Public Garden. The following day, however, we took a taxi from our hotel to Bunker Hill where we began our walk along The Freedom Trail. The famous words, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" were believed to have first been uttered here during the battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 when the Colonists resolutely stood their ground against the British Army.

We trudged up the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument in sweltering heat and humidity and were rewarded with spectacular views of the city and harbor.

I never truly understood the term "weak in the knees" until we had descended and began our trek along the trail. It took several blocks for my legs to fully recover. 

The USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) was all decked out for Harborfest.

We walked crossed the Charles River and the Boston Harbor was right before our eyes. I couldn't help but imagine the scenes of that long ago tea party.

One of the most fascinating places (to me) along the trail was Copp's Hill Burying Ground and its curious gravestones.

The Old North Church was just down the street and is memorialized in Longfellow's famous poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere."

Paul Revere's house was built circa 1680 and is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston.

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston from The Old State House balcony.

I find it fascinating how the city has been built up around this historic landmark.

Abby and Travis are standing on the cobblestone marker that signifies the site of the Boston Massacre. I didn't realize it was basically on the doorstep of the Old State House.

Red Coats and Mennonites were not far away.

The Freedom Trail ended for us at the new State House on Beacon Hill that overlooks Boston Common--pretty impressive golden dome.

Cheers to us for a day packed with history!

A Rat in the Subway

Yes, we saw a rat scurrying across the subway tracks in New York City, and believe it or not, my kids thought that was probably one of the coolest things we saw there--stereotypical expectations, I assume.

I didn't capture the varmint in action, but I did photograph several other iconic New York images.

For some reason walking across the Brooklyn Bridge topped Kellie's list of excursions for our second (and final) day in the city.

Brian and Kellie

It was HOT and HUMID, but we persevered to the first tower and sought refuge in its shade.

Travis and Abby

Does any one know the significance of these locks clamped on several protruding metal pieces?

Along with our sweltering hike across the Brooklyn Bridge, we took in the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island via the Staten Island Ferry.

The Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

Brian and Abby

Travis and Kellie

The blocks surrounding those two tallest buildings were another destination--the 9/11 Memorial and the site of the new World Trade Center. At the time of our visit only the two pools set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers were open.

It is a beautiful and solemn space.

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There are two other images captured on my iPhone that I want to share.

There was never any question when we were in the Fashion District and this parking garage definitely caught my attention.

We really loved walking the streets of New York City and especially riding the subway--even if it did include that infamous rat.

An Evacuation

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was a priority during our two-day stop in Washington D.C. We actually slept in that first morning and were worried that we wouldn't get tickets, but we dropped Kellie off at the entrance and drove around the block hoping to find a place to park--we were lucky on both counts--although we accidentally got a tour of Arlington National Cemetery when Brian took a wrong turn back over the Potomac River.

Brian felt strongly that Travis and Abby have an opportunity to visit the museum even though he, Kellie, and I had been there years ago. (Personally, once was enough for me, but it is important that the younger ones really understand that terrifying time in world history.)

The museum has four floors. Visitors start at the top and work their way down. Just as we were finishing up the 3rd floor (which, by the way, is the most horrifying and impactful floor to me) we were told that we had to evacuate the museum. A bag had been left unattended and we had to leave NOW. Abby and cousin Kara were nearby, but Kellie and Travis were elsewhere on the floor. Brian went to search for them and I grabbed the two girls and headed for the stairs.

Everyone outwardly was very calm, although, inside my heart was racing as I grabbed each girls' hand and reassured them that everything would be OK. Uniformed officers ran up the stairs as we quickly descended. Images of the World Trade Center stairwells in 2001 ran through my mind as I searched for the first floor exit door as instructed. There was a bit of confusion as to which door it was, but soon we were all safely reunited outside.

Brian, cousin Kara, Abby, Kellie, Travis

We were told to wait with the employee holding the "3" (since we were on that floor when we were evacuated) and were moved further and further away from the building. Obviously the museum had been through this kind of thing before.

My anxiety turned to curiosity as helicopters swooped, sirens blared, and police swarmed from every corner.

No one knew exactly what was going on or when we would be able to resume our tour (if at all) and not wanting to waste any precious minutes of our time in the Nation's Capital we decided to cross the Mall to the National Museum of American History--my FAVORITE of all the Smithsonians.

Later that afternoon the Holocaust Museum reopened and we were able to pick up where we left off. Travis and Abby found it very disturbing, of course, but at 16 and 13, we thought they could handle it. Abby said there were no words to describe what she saw--just scary, and Travis actually felt physically sick.

The atrocities of the Holocaust are hard for all of us to digest. Yet, if learning about it helps my children internalize the fact that we are ALL God's children no matter our race, color, religion, or sexual orientation, then that knowledge is invaluable. If they can value and respect EVERY human being, then I have done my job.

My Monuments

Jefferson Memorial

These majestic monuments never fail to inspire in me a sense of nostalgia and American pride. I grew up in their shadow and have so many wonderful memories venturing to the National Mall with family and friends on many many occasions. No matter how old I get they represent true patriotism and sweet memories. Washington D.C. was the first stop on our two week "Education Vacation" as I've dubbed it.

Washington Monument

We dragged my niece, Kara, along for the sight-seeing. I'm so glad my sister and her family still live in Northern Virginia.

Cousins Abby and Kara on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is always impressive despite the reflecting pool being out of commission while renovations are being done.

The Lincoln Memorial

I really like this shot of Kellie taken as she was reading an inscription on an interior wall.

Abby at the "The Wall"

No matter how many times I've seen it, "The Wall" (Vietnam Veterans Memorial) is always sobering. I caught my family's reflection in the black granite as they were walking towards the Washington Monument.

Travis, Kellie, Brian and Kara reflecting

The only monument we hadn't seen before was the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Kara, Travis, and Abby

By this time the heat and humidity had sucked all the energy out of the kids. They retreated to any shade they could find. We had exhausted all the monuments we could. The Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial were others we explored.

We only had two days in D.C. and I just KNEW we couldn't get away without visiting an Air and Space Museum. That and the Holocaust Museum are coming up next.