DAY 3- Palmyra, NY!

Did you know that in other parts of the country there are rivers so large that more than 1 rowboat can be on the water at one time? My Arizona-raised kids didn't! But here's proof- a college rowing team out on the Susquehanna River. Pretty cool. Oh, and did you know that there are trees that are more colors than just greenish-brown? See? Man, the things we learned while on vacation.So after a night in possibly the worst hotel ever, we ended up in the little town of Palmyra, where they really do have an intersection with a church on each corner! I guess I always thought that was kind of a dramatic statement to paint a better picture of the religious fervor of the 1800s. But nope, there they were!Hill Cumorah was our first stop, & boy was it a doozy! This is the day that my kids started praying before each stop that the rain would go away. And wouldn't you know that in the 8 days we were travelling, we only got actually rained on once! Sure, it poured on our car for most of the time we were in it, but every time we stopped to see something the rain would fizzle to a mist or light sprinkle. It was a great testimony-builder for our family.For some reason the kind missionaries don't tell you that the "short walk" to the top of the Hill is almost straight up! We had to be careful because most of the path looked like this:GORGEOUS!!!

Next we drove by the Palmyra Temple & over to the Smith family homes. Jack thought it was pretty cool to be in the same room that the angel Moroni had been in.Getting ready for the Grove. Just look at those red leaves!Our walk through the Sacred Grove was so special that I won't talk much about it, but I don't ever want to forget praying with my family there. I loved how the yellow leaves on the ground almost made everything glow.Next up was the Grandin Building, where the first Books of Mormon were printed. This was a very informative tour & we learned a lot. The older kids even got to help out in the printing press room!As if we hadn't already done enough this day, we hopped in the car, bound for Buffalo. We got into town early enough that we were able to go play at the Rubalcava's house! Emma still says that this was one of the best parts of the trip for her. And I haven't laughed that hard in ages! It was so great to catch up with friends from our younger days at EAC & MGRMC.

Luckily TJ & Vanessa know where to get the best buffalo wings in Buffalo. I was actually shocked at how good they were. Yum!!!Tonight we'll all sleep well. Yet another great day down, many more to go!