Train Trip 2009: Part 4

From Pittsburg, we traveled to Palmyra. On our way we stopped at the Peter Whitmer Farm. It is so pretty there, and the visitors center is really neat.



Then we arrived in Palmyra. There is nothing like it. Atleast not that I have seen:) It is beautiful beyond description, seriously! There we visited the GRanin Printshop (where the first Book of Mormon was printed), Saw the TEmple and Hill Cummorah, and visited the Smith Family Homestead and the Sacred Grove.















The Sacred Grove truly should be a post in it's own, but it is so amazing. Walking through is so peaceful, and you just know that something amazing happened there. The spirit is so strong. My testimony of Josepg Smith has benn strengthened tenfold because of this trip, and because of the Sacred Grove in particular. He truly is a man and Prophet of God. I am humbled my all that he did so that we could have the Gospel today. I am blessed.

Train Trip 2009: Part 3

From Nauvoo we then drove our vans back to Chicago and boarded another train for the 18 hour ride to Washington DC. We stayed two nights in DC, and were there over the 4th of July which was pretty exciting. They have a HUGE fireworks show. We opted to stay at our hotel and avoid the millions of people, but we still heard them and had a prefect view from the TV:)
I had been to DC a very long time ago, so it was so fun to go back. We saw all the monuments, went to the top of the Washington monument, the Holocaust museum, went to Georgetown. It was a lot of fun. Makes me so grateful for all those who have and are fighting for our country. A lot of sacrifice has been given for our freedoms.
Capitol
World WarII Memorial
Washington Monument
White House
Whitney & Chelsea in front of Abe Lincoln Memorial

After our two days in DC, we got on a "commuter" train and headed to Philadelphia for one night. I didn't really care for Philadelphia itself. Kind of dirty, nasty subway, weird people, but it is rich with history. We saw the Betsy Ross home, Toured Independence Hall (Where Declaration of Independence was signed), saw the Liberty Bell, and went on a "duck tour". The tour took us all through historic Philly, and then it turns into a boat and took us on the Delaware river. It really was a lot of fun! We also went to a Phillies game that night. SO FUN!!!
Chelsea at Phillies Game
Delaware river
Independence Hall
Whitney and Kaitlin "Ben Franklin" look
All the granddaughters that went with Grandma and Grandpa

Train Trip 2009: Part 2

Our next stop on our trip was Nauvoo, IL and Carthage. There we stayed 2 nights, but could have stayed atleast another 2 to see everything. It is so pretty there. Nauvoo is awesome. To be where the early saints of the church were, walk in their shops, and get an understanding of how they lived was amazing. It truly strengthened my testimony of the saints, and the sacrifices they went through.
Smith Mansion House
Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma Gravesites
Nauvoo Temple
Gunsmith Shop. "THE" Browning who's story is so interesting.
Brigham Young Home
Inside Brigham Young home. Romm where Apostles would gather.
Mansion House

Nauvoo Visitor Center
Brick Making Shop

Next was Carthage Jail. What a remarkable place that is. I do not think I could explain the feelings that are there. Inside the room where the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were murdered. It is a somber place, but yet the spirit is there. There is still the original stair banister, door, and floor. Knowing that Joseph walked those floors, held that banister, seeing the bullet hole through the door that killed Hyrum is something that really makes you humble. Knowing all that took place there was a true testament to the Savior and to Joseph.
Window Joseph fell from after being shot
Mom & Sisters inside Carthage
Outside Carthage Jail
Statue of Joseph & Hyrum
Original Door with bullet hole that killed Hyrum

Train Trip 2009: Part 1

My grandparents took all the grandkids who wanted to go, on a train trip for two weeks. Our stops were to include all church and national historic sites. We left June 28th at 3:00am for the train station in Winslow. From there, we boarded for a 30 hour train ride to Chicago,IL. And I have to say... I loved the train. It got kind of gross towards the end, but all in all it was a great way to travel. From Chicago, we rented vans and took off for another 6 hour drive to Springfield,IL where we spent the day seeing Lincoln Country.
Abe Lincoln Quote after elected president
Whitney and Chelsea in Lincoln Home
Lincoln's "float" for the parade for president
Abe Lincoln Home

Original furnace in Lincoln home



On this same leg of the trip we also visited "New Salem". A small community founded by Abraham Lincoln.