Vacation...

If you could call it that...maybe the term trip would define it better. We were gone for 14 days and saw Appomattox Courthouse, Monticello, Washington D.C., Gettysburg, Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Indiana (my mom's side of family), Carthage, Nauvoo, Kanesville, and Winter Quarters by car. We were waking up early, driving a lot, and getting to bed late. We had originally decided to take the trip because Dave will be teaching Doctrine and Covenants this year in Seminary and had thought that it would be a good thing to see all the places he'd be teaching about. Overall it was an awesome experience. Here are pictures from the U.S. History part of our trip and tomorrow I will do the Church History.

Appomattox Courthouse

Monticello

Mount Vernon

Lincoln Memorial

The Mall

The Holocaust Museum

Smithsonian

Gettysburg

Gettysburg


I had been to all of these places before (except Appomattox Courthouse), but it was Dave's first time. It was an incredible experience to see the history and lives of those who helped to establish our country. We felt the Spirit a number of times as we thought of how God's hand has been here all along. One of my favorites this time around was to see the flag that the Star Spangled Banner was written about. It was powerful to see this old worn flag and to have the great pride in our country. It was especially meaningful this time around because it was just after we celebrated the 4th of July and because of Taylor's recent deployment--being reminded of what he was willing to sacrifice for. So, regardless of the record heat days while in the D.C area, it really was an awesome experience!