I don't have my camera yet, but I do have some pictures from our Christmas road trip. After realizing I had left my camera in Chicago, we picked up a disposable one on the way home. The pictures are okay, but I miss the digital LCD screen. Most of the pictures on the disposable should have had retakes. Oh well...
On our way to Chicago, we spent the night in Omaha. Before we set out the next morning, we visited Winter Quarters. The visitors center was so interesting and even had games and "pioneer toys" to entertain our stir-crazy kids. Across the street was the temple and the pioneer graveyard. Despite the freezing cold morning, Caton and I felt the sacrifice and faith of those who suffered in that place. We took a couple pictures and then rushed back to the car before Jack and Layla had meltdowns--it was really cold. As I watched my heavily bundled kids shiver, my heart broke for those faithful pioneer mothers who probably sacrificed every spare piece of clothing to keep their babies warm. In the visitor's center, there was some literature that said 1 in 12 people died one year at Winter Quarters. In that weather, I would be the 1 in 12.
On our way home from Chicago, we went a different route and spent the night in Kansas City. There we visited Liberty Jail. This was such a powerful experience. By the time we arrived, Jack had had enough of traveling and Layla was bored out of her mind. But despite the kids' craziness, I was overwhelmed with the spirit as we entered the jail exhibit. There were no other visitors, so Caton and I spent quite a bit if time sitting beside the original jail floor listening to a sister missionary give a history of Joseph Smith's trials. This was really a great experience. Even Layla told me that we were some place very special.
We had planned to hit the road after Liberty Jail, but we literally hungered for more and decided to go an extra 70 miles in the opposite direction to see Far West and Adam-Ondi-Ahman. It took most of the day, but it was so worth it. Although there were no visitor centers, Caton and I took some time in the scriptures to research the significance of these sites. There was a overwhelming spirit at both the Far West Temple site and the Adam-Ondi-Ahman fields. We are grateful we were able to see these places. I want to return when the kids are old enough to appreciate their history and significance.
Far West temple site
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
To top off the great morning, we were directed to a delicious Amish restaurant near Far West. This was so welcome after back to back McDonalds stops.
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