Trip to Baltimore/Palmyra

I'm getting way way behind on posting about recent events ... so they're feeling less and less recent.  Will try to get them caught up over the next few days and mostly they will just be photo tours.

On Sunday, September 2, we drove Dan to the airport and joy of all joys did not just leave him at the curb.  We got to fly on the same flight to Baltimore as he did.  We just got off at Baltimore and he stayed on to return home to Tennessee.  That was a great stroke of fun luck to get to share the flight.

We visited with Sean's family that evening - got to meet their friends and just sit down and have a great visit - no pressures, no need to get a million other things done, just a good visit with all the kids and Sean and Linzy.

The next day was Labor Day.  A predicted to be stormy Labor Day - so plans to tour outdoor sites got modified.  Turned out to be a great day without storm, after all was said and done, but that's okay.  We just wanted to spend the day with the family, and we got to do that.

First stop was at this house:

Front yard

Looking over the fence at the back yard

If everything goes well, this will belong to Sean and Linzy by next month.

Next stop ... the bowling alley:

clockwise:  Linzy, Sean, Tabatha, Nick, Sean Jr., and Jake.  Didn't think I got a family photo but look - here they all are!  Guess that will just have to do until our next trip out there.

 Then after lunch we went to a NASA Rocket Museum.  It was just the perfect size for the kids to explore and not get lost in.  And for Grandpa to totally enjoy being with one young grandson.

Sean Jr. even got a helmet!

Nick and Jake - junior astronauts!

Tabatha had a great time just putting together this space puzzle, with occasional help from family.

Astronaut Sean

Astronaut Sean II

Astronaut Jake

It was a great day.  There was just one problem:  it went by too quickly.  Click:   MORE  to see other photos. 

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We had a very early flight to Buffalo, New York, the next morning and the kids had school, so we said our goodbyes that night and I wanted to cry.  I love that Sean's family gets to see and do so many things in that great part of our nation, but I hate that they live so far and we have such limited opportunities to be together.

Our Next Stop after landing in New York State:

Grapevines on Smith property in Palmyra

Entering the woods

The Sacred Grove:

No, this is probably not "it" but it is in the area ... nobody knows for sure the exact location that Joseph Smith knelt in the woods to pray.  But this I do know ... the area is sacred.  I cannot deny the feeling that I had as we walked through these woods in Palmyra, knowing Joseph walked here and prayed here and was cradled as a child here who was chosen by the Lord to restore His Gospel once more upon this earth.


We spent Tuesday afternoon in this area, a lot of quiet time inside the woods of the Sacred Grove, until a thunder storm drove us to seek cover in our car.  Later, after the very heavy rains let up, we made our way to Hill Cumorah and enjoyed time there.  We also returned to both locations the next morning after the skies started to clear.

I will always treasure the time we spent in Palmyra.  For my favorite photos from the trip, click Here.

Oh, and since today is September 17 - I absolutely have to say this:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHAEL!  37 years young today!  I'll be posting the birthday photos in about a week or two when I get the rest of these all taken care of.  Sure do love you, son.