Unemployment Week 1: Road Trip

Because we have a lot more free time on our hands these days, we've decided to take advantage of it by seeing the sites on the east coast. We started our journey last Sunday by driving up to Philadelphia where we had dinner with Stephanie (Sonntag) Jensen, her husband Ben, and Danelle. Although Danelle missed the dinner portion (per usual), she did make it just in time for dessert! I really can't throw Danelle under the bus, however, because she was kind enough to let Jim and I stay at her cute little row house in the heart of Philadelphia.

That's Danelle in her compact car. Good thing it's small because parking in Philly is a joke!

Our first stop Monday morning was the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Although I had been to Philadelphia before when I interned in DC six years ago, this was Jim's first time and he was excited to see everything.

 Waiting in line for the Liberty Bell

In front of Independence Hall

Meg and Danelle

Danelle took us to the Reading Terminal Market for a traditional Philly cheesesteak. It was delicious (although the picture might not depict that!).

We then hit the Museum of Art, probably known more for the "Rocky" run than the art inside. We (Jim) figured we better run it just like Rocky did...although it was at least 97 degrees and 80% humidity at this point...and post Philly cheesesteak lunch. Not the ideal situation!

...But we were successful!

The Legend

We stopped at Love Park...

...and found a place downtown with random game pieces. SORRY was one of my very favorite games growing up. Mom and I would play it all of the time. We're going to have to buy it when we get to Provo.

After a sad goodbye to Danelle, we left Philadelphia Tuesday morning and drove to Palmyra, New York to see some Church history sites. Our first stop was the Peter Whitmer farm, where much of the translation of the Book of Mormon occurred. The Latter-day Saint Church was also founded on April 6, 1830 here in this log home.

 Peter Whitmer Farm

Peter Whitmer Farm Visitor's Center

We then drove to the Hill Cumorah to watch the Pageant that night. Here we are waiting for it to begin. I had pretty much written off the Pageant because it was pouring rain while we were driving to it. However, the sky cleared and it ended up being a beautiful night.

Jim and I spent the night in the lovely town of Canandaigua, New York at the Super 8. Yep, we go classy! The next morning we drove back to the Hill Cumorah to go walk the grounds. We then stopped off at the Sacred Grove and the Joseph Smith Farm, rounding out the top sites in Palmyra.

 

  Hill Cumorah

Joseph Smith Farm

Sacred Grove

After lunch we hopped in our car and drove west to see Niagara Falls. It was absolutely amazing. We had SO much fun on the Maid of the Mist (the boat that takes you in to see the falls close up). I highly recommend the $13 boat ride...although be prepared to get soaked!

Niagara Falls

Jim getting a little nervous to get on the boat

Close up!

Really wet!

Although we only spent a couple of hours at Niagara Falls, it was well worth it. We then drove 4.5 hours to my dad's house in State College, Pennsylvania to spend the night. It was so nice to have a place to stay! I love living close to Dad and will miss being only 3.5 hours away from him (and Nancy and the dogs)! 

The next morning we woke up, stopped at an Amish market (because that's what you do when you're in Amish country), bought some peaches, and ate breakfast with my dad. Our last stop on our road trip was Gettysburg.

Gettysburg opened a new visitor's center about a year and a half ago and it was absolutely fantastic. Jim and I walked through the museum, which had great exhibits, and then took a drive through the battlefield. It's unbelievable to think about all that happened on those grounds.

The fields

Gettysburg Visitor Center

Honest Abe

Phew! Four days and 1000 miles later, we made it back home to Arlington Thursday night. It sure was a lot of driving, but we were fortunate to get to see so many great places. Tomorrow morning we head for Boston. Can't wait!