High Speed Cross Country Transit

July 27, 2008 Kansas City, MO

In the past days we have turned the eastern corner of our trip and headed back into the Midwest. In one day we went from Washington DC to Dayton, Ohio. The next day we stopped in Indianapolis, Indiana, & then drove into Missouri, visiting St. Louis and spending the night in Hannibal, on the Mississippi River. Yesterday we were in Nauvoo (and dad in Iowa for a meeting), and spent last night in Keokuk, Iowa. Today we traveled across Missouri to Kansas City, MO, on the edge next to Kansas (it is less than 2 miles away).


We have seen amazing sights across the USA: thick forests, expansive bridges, city skylines in the distance, wide multi-laned freeways and dirt roads, fireflies in Washington DC, dead skunks in Illinois, bulging rivers running over their banks and forever rolling hills of the midwest. Perhaps the most significant was the tie-up-Tyson episode in tonight's hotel room. A sight to behold.


Comments along the way (can you guess who said these):

"This is going to get messy, really messy!!!"
"Are your seat belts on??"
"Come on you meow mix"
"Let's have fun!" "Play with me!"
"Does our hotel have a swimming pool?"
"Seat belt check!!"
"I'm hungry!"
"Seriously, guys, we need water" "I need water, or I'll die!"
"I missed the turn; we'll have to turn around"
"Never eat soggy waffles"
"Dad! Slow down!"
"Dad, how long will it take to get to our hotel?"
"I'm hungry (again)"
"I've got another text message!"
(in the middle of all this, we missed hearing, at least once: "Moritz!!! stop touching me!!")

In Washington DC we saw the White House and the Smithsonian Institute and the boys just had to get an FBI t-shirt (at the Pentagon we checked out the parking lot, but didn't go in; we drove past the CIA headquarters, too). Thursday we didn't get to our hotel until 10:30 pm (road problems 3 times along the almost 500 mile trip that afternoon). In St. Louis dad's meeting turned out to be right next to the St. Louis Temple -- beautiful building on a hill overlooking the freeway. In Hannibal, MO we saw Mark Twain's home, and Becky Thatcher's home. Tyson practically got run over by a loonngggg train coming through. Mom and Riley climbed to a lighthouse, while Dad and Tyson hucked rocks into the Mississippi River in memory of Huckelberry Finn.

Saturday we had a great time in Nauvoo -- pioneer games -- especially "graces" (Tyson's favorite), a walk down the "Trail of Hope" to the river, special stage show in the visitor's center, t-shirts and souvenirs, Nauvoo Temple, checkers (Riley blasted his dad twice), a puppet show, and the evening ended with the marvelous Nauvoo Pageant -- friendly, warm, colorful, informative, musical -- a great event to visit which made us proud of our pioneer heritage and the early days of the Restoration of the gospel.



Today we attended church with the Keokuk IA Branch, and then drove across Missouri. It has been a day for scriptures, general conference talks, naps (not for the driver, however), and even a Chinese buffet....and when we arrived -- 99 degree weather.

After we visit Kansas tomorrow, we will have been to 15 states, 1 province of Canada, and the District of Columbia, in 13 days and will have traveled more than 3,300 miles!

Founders in Philly; Drenched in DC

July 23, 2008

Trivia Q & A: (answers will be given in a day or two)

1. What city lies across the river from Philadelphia, on the New Jersey side, that makes you think of a small round fruit? (had a meeting there today).

2. What important early colonist was the mastermind behind Philadelphia's streets and organization? (you know his name well)

3. Name the famous bell in Philadelphia (we saw it, and took pics)

4. On July 4th each year we celebrate what about the Declaration of Independence? (be careful with this one).

5. How many years did the US government reside in Philadelphia while Washington DC was being built?

6. Which of the following wars have memorials in Washington DC: WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War

7. Which boy in our family and which girl are alike, in that as children they never seemed to be able to keep very clean? (hint: as evidenced in our day today with certain chili dogs)

8. The Lincoln Memorial has inscribed on its walls two important talks by Abe Lincoln; name either one of these.

9. What important cemetary is across the river from DC, which we spent over 1 1/2 hours trying to find (but never did enter into)? (hint: we have a relative buried there)

10. What is the tallest structure in Washington DC?

We learned these things, and many others today, as we spent time in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC -- not bad for a day's work.

In Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, we toured Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were created and signed), and also the nearby Congress Hall. Here it is important to note that we were able to fully complete the tour of the upstairs. Many years ago, when our children were young, we were forcibly evacuated from this area in the middle of our tour, because someone tripped a security alarm that caused the floor to be cleared immediately. We aren't mentioning names, but Dustin might be a good source to quiz regarding this story from the past.

In Philly we sampled the local cuisine -- Philly cheesesteaks and chili dogs; Tyson did his best to wear his food as long as possible on his face. We also took a horse drawn buggy ride through the streets (the horse's name was "Spot" ??) learn all about the city as we clip-clopped along. For example, street names were of trees, so that even the illiterate could know that Walnut Street was Walnut Street, since it has that kind of trees planted down it. Chesnut Street had chesnut trees down it, and etc. for other streets. Benjamin Frankin was a Philly-ite and we also saw where Dolly Madison lived before she married the man who later became the 4 president of the United States (James Madison). We learned that many Revolutional War prisoners held by the British were buried in a mass grave here; we saw a memorial built for them.

At noon we sped down the road through 3 other states to visit Washington DC. for the afternoon, after checking into our Capitol Heights, Maryland hotel. A quick dip in the pool for the boys and we were off for a frustrating search in Virginia for a certain important and very large cemetary. We finally found it, only at the last minute to take a wrong turn that had us back over the Potomac River and into DC again. So we spent the next 30 minutes trying to find a place to park -- arrggghhhh! Then spent an hour walking around seeing the important memorials and sights of the USA's capitol. As it began to get dark we enjoyed seeing the lights come on the buildings. Then we noticed the sky was unusually dark. Then a drop of rain. Then another. Then it started to come down lightly -- we were in the most open part of the "mall" (grassy area near the Washington Monument) you could be in. Wisely, mom started to run!! And then it came - almost a cloudburst of rain, descending on us like the innocent targets we were. We had brought our umbrellas, but they were in the car! By the time we arrived at the car, some several blocks away, we were a very wet, bedraggled mess. Mother Nature got us again! But then, as we drove around DC for a final look at the important buildings (like the White House and the Capitol) the heavens opened up with a downpour that made it nigh unto impossible to see but 10 feet in front of us, notwithstanding the wipers were on full speed and we were driving 10 miles per hour. This kept up for almost 30 minutes before it slowed sufficiently for us to at least reach a restaurant for dinner and our hotel after that. The rain was also accompanied by lightning and thunder -- bright and flashy, but the thunder was not as crackling loud as we experienced Sunday in Boston. But it is clear -- this country can really get rain when it wants to. Riley has definitely determined he wants to live here in the East, just for the rain.

Blisters, sore legs, wet hair (mom hates that!!), and an always hungry Tyson have brought us to the close of another eventful day. Hope yours was a good one too!

Dripping in Boston; Lost in New York; in NJ somewhere

July 22, 2008

The past three days have been most adventurous for our roving band of family crossing the country. There is much to tell.

In the Boston MA area, we were up early and at church with the Belmont 1st Ward at 8:30 am on Sunday. Nice church services and we felt like we were where we were supposed to be. But the real surprise came as we drove out of the chapel 3 hrs later, made two turns and saw the welcome sign to the Boston LDS Temple, right there just a short distance away (couldn't be seen for all the trees). We pulled in to see this beautiful, majestic, sacred House of the Lord there on a hilltop in a suburb of Boston. It is quite an edifice, and made the Sabbath day simply perfect for us.

Things we did on Saturday, and later on Sunday at the Minuteman National Park in Lexington and Concord, MA, thrilled us to learn what really happened on that fateful day that began the American Revolutionary War. We learned things that were never taught in our high school history classes - but should have been. We walked along the path the British and American soldiers followed, shooting at each other with those old-time muskets, with gunsmoke surrounding them. We learned the British wore red so they could be more easily seen admist that smoke. We learned that while at first the British prevailed, at one point later the American minutemen, coming from miles around outnumbered the British and inflicted serious causalties. That first day was really a defeat of the British and the feeling spurred on the efforts that led to the full war and all its agony and challenge. But the outcome was God-inspired and we were proud to be Americans with all that we learned. This really was the beginning of the Revolution.

Sunday afternoon we thought we would visit the "freedom trail" in downtown Boston. But we forgot to check the skies and left our umbrellas behind. After parking the car and walking for 30 minutes or so, it began to sprinkle. We were out in the open and tried to get under cover, but it was too late. We got wet, then wetter and then wettest...Riley really liked that part!! We had to hold Riley back from running out into the rain, kicking his heels up, and ?maybe breaking out in a strain of "Singing in the Rain". His black Sunday shoes were now blue from the rain. Mom's Sunday denim skirt was getting heavier from the moisture and a challenge to run in. We ducked in under an awning, and it really started to rain in torrents -- raining cats and dogs and critters. Finally it slowed down, and we started to walk further up the trail, to Paul Revere's home. But then it started to rain again. Then there was a crack of thunder louder than any of us have ever heard -- it caused us (and others around us) to literally jump from surprise. So over to another awning for protection. Then it came in torrents and torrents -raining cows, horses, and with the lighting the rare white elephant. More crackling thunder & lighting, with car alarms going off and other people laughing from relief they didn't get hit! - a real show from Mother Nature. And we got even more wet. And mom was still trying to keep her hair protected with a soggy map of the Freedom Trail. So much for enjoying historic downtown Boston.

Our time gone, we had to be on our way to southern Connecticut. We spent that night in New Haven, Connecticut in a Motel 8 -- and we vowed never again to stay in another Motel 8 (even changed a future reservation later next week to another hotel). A word to the wise. Cleanliness, size of rooms, sparce breakfast, and the overall "feel" were the reasons.

On Monday morning we were off for the Big city: the Big Apple, New York City. Thank goodness for Tomtom, our GPS helper, because there were so many roads, so many turns, so many options that we certainly could have gotten lost without that help (how did we ever do without it in the past?). We drove up to our hotel in Flushing, NY -- and immediately decided that would NOT be the place we would be staying in that night. No parking. No room on the road even to unload. Chinese characters on signs (and Chinese people on the streets) everywhere. One way street in front, tight, cramped, and a total foreign feeling. Flushing was a clogged toilet at its best. It might have been okay if we were in a foreign country, but not here in the USA; it was a ghetto! -- let's get out of here! So we decided we would find a different hotel for the night. Red Roof Inn in a city 20 miles away --here we come! Parking, clean, nice -- but no internet nor breakfast. Sorry, that is the reason we did not post on schedule last night.

But we were here to experience NYC, not Long Island, so we took the afternoon train into downtown Manhatten to see the sights: Empire State Building, Broadway, 5th Avenue, Times Square, Central Park, pretzels on the streets, and people, people, people!!! You can't walk a decent speed down those streets! You feel like a pin ball bouncing from one bumper to another.

Purchases were made for memories and practicality- T-shirts for the boys, a watch, sun glasses, and a cold drink or two to deal with the heat. It was a great experience: Riley's reaction: "This is amazing!!". Mom's reaction: "Central Park is humongous!", and Tyson said: "New York is awesome". Dad's comment: "It's just like it looks in the movies!" Riley noted a number of men wearing capris -- thought they were just for women; maybe there is a change coming. And we noted that, like we have seen throughout the East, there is on every corner, on every street, a Dunkin' Donut shop. They must like donuts in the East like Utah likes ice cream and jello in the West. Or is it that donuts go well with that coffee stuff they all drink? What is that all about?

Tuesday morning we returned by car (don't do that -- pretty expensive parking in lower Manhatten) through the maze of roads to get where we could see Lady Liberty. We saw Battery Park, Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island (these two from a distance) and Wall Street. And yes, more people, people, people. We found they have some very beautiful areas in this hustle, bustle area -- we walked through a gorgeous park, and along a nice, peacful esplanade. And as we left we traversed the Lincoln Tunnel -- underground and underwater and into New Jersey. We looked in vain to see Godzilla atop any building, but imagined the many things that have and do happen in this unique part of the USA. And everywhere we saw those great men in blue -- the New York Police Department (they are everywhere). Riley learned that this is now the safest city in the USA because of NYPD.

Tuesday afternoon was a drive through the Garden State - New Jersey. While dad was at a meeting, the two boys enjoyed a hotel pillow fight -- six pillows flying back and forth from one end of the room to the other, leaps from the beds, and war hoops (sorry, hotel neighbors, but boys will be boys!!). For dinner we almost went to "Chickie's and Pete's" just down the road -- but when the people inside looked at us as we walked in (two parents and two children) the looks could have shouted - 'you're going to bring kids in here?' Guess a diner with neon lights, and beer on the shelves at the bar isn't a good idea. We decided instead to go for a family diner further down the street. There Riley experienced a crab cake sandwich for the first time, and the rest of us ate superbly too. A good ending to a busy day.

We now head further south before returing west. More to come!

Europe in the USA

July 19, 2008 Boston, MA

The past two days have been a grand experience for us, as we have continued traveling from Cleveland/Kirtland, Ohio to this eastern city. First we drove up along Lake Erie and then through Buffalo, New York to Niagara Falls. Here we crossed over into Canada -- the first time Tyson and Riley have been to that country -- to see the spectacular view of the Falls. (picture to come later -- only Riley took pics; Dad was driving) Tremendous waves of water crashing down from hundreds of feet above, coming along above among rocks and cliffs and descending to the river below. What a grand sight! Really a marvel of Nature.

But we could not stay long -- we had another 100 miles to drive to Palmyra - site of many of the great events related to the restoration of the gospel in our day. It was here that Joseph Smith grew up, had his amazing First Vision and then, later, the visits from the Angel Moroni. We saw the beautiful Palmyra Temple, then took a tour through the log home the Smith's first lived in (see picture), and then the frame home that was theirs 7 years later. By far the most impressive experience was walking through the Sacred Grove, the forested area west of the homes where Joseph went to pray and saw the Father and the Son. (see picture) We felt a reverent spirit there and walked silently through the beautiful grove around us.

Then we drove through town, saw the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was first published, and the quaint corner of Palmyra that has a different church on each corner -- a fitting tribute to the reason Joseph was so confused -- so many choices of churches in the area!

We then drove to the Hill Cumorah, location where the gold plates were hid by Moroni. There they have a fantastic stage set up for the evening pageant which we watched with delight. Mom / Dix has seen this before, but none of the rest of us. Amazing lighting, special effects, and a great story, combined with a huge cast made for a very entertaining and interesting experience. (A different kind of entertainment was the hecklers just outside the property speaking to us as we arrived and as we left, telling us that Mormons were all doomed to hell, and that we should not be listening to the false teachings of a prophet. If only they could have stopped and considered what they looked like -- very foolish in their ranting and raving, and screaming. One man was even dressed in a devil costume -- did he think that would convince us he was rational in anything he said?).

On the contrary, the Hill Cumorah Pageant made it so clear how great the stories of the Book of Mormon are, and how timely they are for us today, in today's world. Surely Joseph Smith could not have made those stories up! They are such good stories, because they are true!

After a night in a Super 8 (not the most popular hotel among the family -- a bit small) we were off today for more than 400 miles of travel east through New York and across Massachusetts. Yes, there were seat belt checks along the way. And some of the passenger slept (not the driver, however). And we learned a curious habit of New York drivers of passing you, and then pulling over in front....and slowing down!! (urgh!!)

Here along the New York Thruway we thought we were in Europe -- we saw cities named Rome, Verona, Geneva, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Liverpool, and even Frankfurt and Hamburg!! We considered how it would be much more expensive to visit the real European cities, but here they were, for us to say we had been there (as well as Canaan and Lebanon). It appears the old world was brought here by the early colonists.

In the Boston area we visited Lexington and Concord, two cities where the beginning of the Revolutionary War was centered. We walked along the road between the cities, where in 1775 the British Regulars were engaged in shooting with the early American patriots -- the Minutemen. We saw two Minutemen monuments, and homes and structures reminding us of those early days. Despite the 93 degree weather, it was fascinating.

Then we got very frustrated trying to find a place to eat -- nothing in site for over 30 minutes as we drove around forested, green, tree filled areas, but no restaurants; no shops -- where do these people eat?? We finally found a gas station and asked for directions. Finally we found downtown Lexington (smaller than Preston Idaho's downtown) with a few restaurant options to choose from. Italian became our choice and once we had eaten we all felt better. Overnight tonight in a Quality Inn.

So we have almost made it to the Atlantic Ocean -- we'll see that tomorrow. Then we head south for cities yet to be named in these future blogs. Stay with us! Much more ahead!

2nd Report from the Road

7/17 Mentor, Ohio

Yesterday we successfully flew from Salt Lake City to Cincinnati, OH. There we picked up our Chevy Malibu rental car (see picture), which will be taking us over the next 3,000 + miles. Drove north through Cincinnati and Columbus, OH, to the city of Medina, OH, just outside of Cleveland. Very hot, sunny day, except for the intense downpour we hit just outside of Columbus. It came down suddenly and so violently that we and other cars on the freeway had to slow down drastically -- to about 40 mph until it passed. Then, as suddenly as it came, it was over.

Last night was a Holiday Inn Express night. Two boys (to remain unnamed) stayed up late watching The Transformers. That was after a long dip in the hotel's swimming pool.

This morning everyone slept except Dad, who was up at 6:15 am to get ready, drive into Cleveland for a 2 1/2 hour meeting for BYU (meeting, and viewing 2 different potential performance venues), and then returning to the hotel. Historic Kirtland was the next destination, where we saw and learned much about Church history. Saw a movie about the history, walked around the ashery, sawmill, Whitney Store (see picture), and many other homes, and then went to "RJs" restaurant for lunch/dinner. A tour of the Community of Christ owned Kirtland Temple rounded out the afternoon, followed with a visit to the Isaac Morley farm. At 7:30 pm we were at the Kirtland LDS Stake Center for the stake's annual pageant production "This is Kirtland", which was presented very admirably and without technical problems. We were impressed (well, at least the adults of our group). Tonight it will be a Super 8 Motel. The day has been 93 degrees, sunny and humid (we were told that it rains almost every day in the Cleveland area -- guess we were lucky today).

That's the facts of the day. The feelings? It was incredible to learn several things about Church history we did not know, and to be reminded of the many fantastic things which happened while the center of the Church was in this area. We were awed with the ability of the early church members to build a structure like the Kirtland Temple. We were reminded of the many testimonies that came about through the visions, revelations, and happenings in Kirtland. We are blessed to be members of this Church.

To Boldly Go Where Others Have Gone

June 15 - This blog is hereby officially inaugurated. After urging, cajoleing, suggesting, and patiently waiting, our children can now see we have joined the electronic blog world.

Watch for future postings as we travel across the USA -- some 3,200 miles in the next 13 days! First destination tomorrow is a flight to Cincinnati, then a drive to Medina, OH, almost to Cleveland. Trusty Tomtom is going with us, so we don't expect to get lost.

More to come.