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.