Last weekend we took a quick trip up to Palmyra for the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I went to the pageant with my family almost 20 years ago (it was shocking to realize it was that long ago) and had been looking forward to the opportunity to take my own family.
I was looking forward to the experience, but I wasn't necessarily looking forward to a 6 hour drive two days in a row. It was a lot of driving over the two days, but the kids were good most of the time and the drive was beautiful. Sam even thought the drive was worth it was just for the gorgeous scenery.
After a late start we arrived in Palmyra just before the performance. After 6 hours I don't think the kids cared where we were, they were just happy to be out of the car. As we headed towards the outdoor amphitheater we were immediately greeted by a family of cast members.
Miraculously we got great seats even though we only arrived right before the show. Don't let Max's face mislead you. He was happy to be there, he was not happy that I asked Reed (not him) take the picture.
This is the only semi-decent picture I got of the performance, but the whole thing was so impressive--even better than I remember it. I was worried that my kids would be too young to appreciate the experience, but I was wrong. Reed loved it and Max was practically on the edge of his seat (Sam's lap actually) the whole time. Even when Ruby started to get tired, she would rest her head on my shoulder and then turn around excitedly when she recognized a name. "Where, Abinadi? Where Abinadi?"
The next morning we attended church at the Palmyra Ward along with 800 other people. Apparently we weren't the only pageant attendees who were looking for a place to attend church the next day. We knew it was going to be packed when we pulled into the parking lot next two 3 giant tour buses. It was actually really neat to see such a huge crowd. I no longer need to wonder what it would be like if they passed the sacrament at Stake Conference. They had 24 young men passing and it still took quite a while.
The Palmyra building.
After church we headed across the street to the Palmyra temple. The boys found a map of the historical sites and were determined to use it to find their way without our direction. They walked with it like a compass for while until Max got tired of having Reed lead.
The temple was beautiful. It made me miss the easy access we had to temple grounds in North Carolina.
After our walk to the temple, we figured we'd continue our stroll down to the Smith Farm and Sacred Grove. It turned out to be a little more than a stroll, but even in the heat we all survived.
I had been looking forward to our visit to the Sacred Grove as much as the performance the night before.
I appreciate that having reverence for spiritual things has always been one of Reed's strengths.
As we walked through the trails there was a wonderful feeling of peace and calm. Even though we were in the middle of a forest, it felt less like a walking path/hiking trails and much more like temple grounds.
Thanks to Sam's super awesome Google tablet that he loves we were able to quietly sing an impromptu "Oh how lovely was the morning". I hope that song has a little more meaning to the kids next time we sing it.
After the Sacred Grove we made a quick visit to the Smith Farm (with a dead camera) and were ready to pack up and go home.
Aside from the one hour I drove, I spent most of our drive like this to make room for the gigantic basket of activities I had brought for the kids.
It wasn't the most comfortable thing, but it was worth it to have the kids happy and busy for 12 hours of driving.
Some joker on Pinterest suggested punch balloons as a good activity for the road. Worst. Idea. Ever. (I'm sure they are laughing somewhere imagining the poor fool that would give it a try.) We wont make that mistake again.
After two very full days we can now officially check "Road Trip" off our summer list. It was long, a bit exhausting, but totally worth it.
I was looking forward to the experience, but I wasn't necessarily looking forward to a 6 hour drive two days in a row. It was a lot of driving over the two days, but the kids were good most of the time and the drive was beautiful. Sam even thought the drive was worth it was just for the gorgeous scenery.
After a late start we arrived in Palmyra just before the performance. After 6 hours I don't think the kids cared where we were, they were just happy to be out of the car. As we headed towards the outdoor amphitheater we were immediately greeted by a family of cast members.
Miraculously we got great seats even though we only arrived right before the show. Don't let Max's face mislead you. He was happy to be there, he was not happy that I asked Reed (not him) take the picture.
This is the only semi-decent picture I got of the performance, but the whole thing was so impressive--even better than I remember it. I was worried that my kids would be too young to appreciate the experience, but I was wrong. Reed loved it and Max was practically on the edge of his seat (Sam's lap actually) the whole time. Even when Ruby started to get tired, she would rest her head on my shoulder and then turn around excitedly when she recognized a name. "Where, Abinadi? Where Abinadi?"
The next morning we attended church at the Palmyra Ward along with 800 other people. Apparently we weren't the only pageant attendees who were looking for a place to attend church the next day. We knew it was going to be packed when we pulled into the parking lot next two 3 giant tour buses. It was actually really neat to see such a huge crowd. I no longer need to wonder what it would be like if they passed the sacrament at Stake Conference. They had 24 young men passing and it still took quite a while.
The Palmyra building.
After church we headed across the street to the Palmyra temple. The boys found a map of the historical sites and were determined to use it to find their way without our direction. They walked with it like a compass for while until Max got tired of having Reed lead.
The temple was beautiful. It made me miss the easy access we had to temple grounds in North Carolina.
After our walk to the temple, we figured we'd continue our stroll down to the Smith Farm and Sacred Grove. It turned out to be a little more than a stroll, but even in the heat we all survived.
I had been looking forward to our visit to the Sacred Grove as much as the performance the night before.
I appreciate that having reverence for spiritual things has always been one of Reed's strengths.
As we walked through the trails there was a wonderful feeling of peace and calm. Even though we were in the middle of a forest, it felt less like a walking path/hiking trails and much more like temple grounds.
Thanks to Sam's super awesome Google tablet that he loves we were able to quietly sing an impromptu "Oh how lovely was the morning". I hope that song has a little more meaning to the kids next time we sing it.
After the Sacred Grove we made a quick visit to the Smith Farm (with a dead camera) and were ready to pack up and go home.
Aside from the one hour I drove, I spent most of our drive like this to make room for the gigantic basket of activities I had brought for the kids.
It wasn't the most comfortable thing, but it was worth it to have the kids happy and busy for 12 hours of driving.
Some joker on Pinterest suggested punch balloons as a good activity for the road. Worst. Idea. Ever. (I'm sure they are laughing somewhere imagining the poor fool that would give it a try.) We wont make that mistake again.
After two very full days we can now officially check "Road Trip" off our summer list. It was long, a bit exhausting, but totally worth it.
1 comment:
I can't say it too many times: It is so wonderful you keep this blolg. Wonderful for you and your family now and in the future and wonderful for me too. (Sorry i don't have a record of our trip. I think we have a couple of pictures.) I think your pictures are great of the beautiful scenery and especially of the beautiful family.
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