Spring Break!

For Aaron's Spring Break a couple of weeks ago we decided to take advantage of our proximity to family and church history sites via a rockin' road trip. Here are a few highlights (and by a few I mean a whole ton of pictures - brace yourself).

1st Stop: Madsen Family of PA

My aunt and uncle and their family live just a few short hours north of us, and we have been wanting to visit again since we have settled in Baltimore. We decided they would make an awesome first stop on our road trip. Thank you Madsen's! We'll be back!

Spencer & Aaron zoned into the wii.

Caitlin watching her dad bowl!

The best group shot of our bowling adventures, and yes that is saying something.

2nd Stop: Palmyra

Christus at the VC. Notice the Sacred Grove as the background.

More of the inside at the Visitors' Center. Beautiful "stained glass" depiction of Joseph receiving the plates from Moroni.

Hill Cumorah monument.

Aaron "searching for the plates" on the back of the hill.

At the Smith Farm. The attic of the log home (right) where Moroni appeared to 17-year old Joseph Smith, and the frame home (left).

The Sacred Grove. We were hoping to catch "early Spring" like Joseph Smith recorded, but I think we were a little too early. The Spirit there was amazing though, and it was so nice to have the whole grove to ourselves!

Grandin Building, the location of the first printing of the Book of Mormon, 1830.

The site of the Martin Harris Farm, just out of town.

Stop 3: Fayette, NY

The Peter Whitmer Home & Visitors' Center in Fayette, NY

Stop 4: Seneca Falls, NY

Fayette was so close to Seneca Falls I couldn't resist. We stopped in at the Women's Rights National Park and learned more about the fight for women's rights in America.

(Notice that Aaron wouldn't be in any of the pictures...)

Stop 5: Mendon, NY

Tomlinson Inn where the Young family was introduced to the gospel. Samuel Smith presented Phineas Young with a copy of the Book of Mormon.

Tomlinson Corners Cemetary
The grave marker of Miriam Works Young, Brigham Young's first wife.

Solomon Kimball's (Heber C. Kimball's father) restored headstone.

Half of the original John Young home (Brigham's father). The other half has been moved across the street. The senior missionary couple who are living here saw us taking pictures and invited us in. They were so sweet, and told us more about the home and the area! Thank you!

Searching for the site of Brigham Young's home and saw mill. We're not sure if we really ever found it, but it was a fun adventure!

This could maybe be it... maybe...