Roadtrip through country

My friend, Alison, bought a car from her sister in D.C. and we drove it back. We hit all the historical US sites as well as historical LDS Church sites. It was a lot of fun, but I was glad to be home.

Oct. 9-12 Thursday-Sunday: Washington D.C. and vicinity. We visited the Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, FDR, Vietnam, Lincoln, Holocaust, and WWII memorials. They were all powerful and really distinct. We also saw the Smithsonians

Monday: Pennsylvania. We travelled to visit a man that Alison knew on her mission in a little rest home and then on to another member family that she knew. We went to a recommended Philly cheesesteak place and also got Rita's Italian Ice that was delicious. We travelled to Valley Forge and spent some time there. We then hurried onward toward Amish country in Lancaster, Ohio. We picked up a few items and then went to Gettysburg. We arrived at our host family's house that evening.

Tuesday: We toured Gettysburg at the break of dawn (literally) to help out our schedule. Our tour guide was a couple that Alison knew from her mission and he worked at the museum, so he really knew his stuff. Really fun couple. Traveled on to southern Ohio, a city called Powell, to stay with Alison's cousin and family. We relaxed that night just chatting.

Wednesday: We're off again, toward Illinois. We make it through Indiana and stop for lunch at the Indiana State Museum. We head toward Springfield Illinois, arriving around 4pm to visit the Lincoln Museum just before it closes. It was great! One of my favorite museums. Not as grand as some of the others, but very well put together. We then travel toward Nauvoo, Illinois and stop in a little town outside Carthage to sleep.

Thursday: We travel to Carthage, Illinois and visit the Carthage jail where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. We then travel to Nauvoo and visit the Community of Christ buildings that belonged to the Smith family and then toward historic Nauvoo and the print shop, the cultural hall, the bakery and the brick maker. We were then able to do a session in the Nauvoo temple. I could really feel the Spirit during that session. It was really neat.

We stayed in Nauvoo that night and were up very early the next morning.

Friday: Independence Missouri area. We went through Missouri and went a little off the beaten path toward Adam-ondi-oman and Far West. We didn't make it to Haun's Mill. Then we went to Liberty Jail and took a tour there. We then went into Independence Missouri and took a quick look at the visitors center. We asked the sister missionaries where we could get some good bbq. They recommended Gates bbq and we traveled to Kansas City. It was delicious. (I loved all the food on this trip) Then we headed north to Nebraska. My mission! We arrived in Winter Quarters about 6:30 and took a quick tour of the visitor center and cemetary. We also took some photos of the temple. It was really neat to be back there. We then went toward Missouri Valley and stayed the night there. I did get a chance to visit Pres. Moore and his wife Kyoko in Mondamin, Iowa for a little while.

Saturday: We travelled west across Nebraska. We listened to books and movies and it made the trip more bearable. We went as far as Cheyenne WY on I-80 and then traveled into Colorado. We took a course toward Glenwood Springs where there were hot springs that were made into a swimming pool. Tons of people there and they all seemed really old... Anyway, we only spent a few minutes there, but decided to drive into Utah that night. Got home around 1:00am and crashed for the night. Finally Home!!!