Our Two-Week Trip

This is our itinerary for the next two weeks while we take our big trip through the mid-west and to the east coast. We are excited, and have looked forward to this for many years, and especially the last year. Mike Retired a year ago this month, and we set aside the money to make sure we could take this trip.

Hi One and All:

We thought you might like a copy of the planned itinerary for our long-awaited trip to major church history sites. It may seem like a very ambitious schedule, but we have planned for several stops during our one-way drive from Independence MO to Hartford CT.

We would appreciate your prayers on our behalf as we will be driving approximately 2000 miles over a two-week period and over unknown territory the entire time. We have carefully planned every aspect of our trip (flights, accommodations, routes,etc), and feel quite comfortable with our plans.

We will be taking a good number of pictures with both our digital camera and camcorder, and look forward to sharing this special and most spiritual experience with you upon our

return.

We will have a cell phone with us in case anyone needs to contact us. It is through Verizon wireless and should work well wherever we are.

Now to our planned schedule -

Tues, 11 Sep -

Fly to Kansas City MO via Southwest Airlines. Pick up our rental car at the airport. Stay at a motel in Independence MO (35 miles from the airport).

Wed, 12 Sep -

Visit the Independence LDS Visitor Center, Liberty Jail Historic Site, Far West Site, and other sites as time allows. We also plan to visit the Truman Presidential Library which is located in Independence. We'll stay that night at Cameron MO.

Thurs, 13 Sep -

Visit the Adam-ondi-Ahman site near Gallatin MO and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum at Hannibal MO on the way to Nauvoo. Arrive at Nauvoo late afternoon. Will stay at the White House Inn Guest House in Nauvoo for three nights. We will probably visit Elder and Sister Knowles (aka Ray and Colleen) the evening we arrive as well as other times during our stay in Nauvoo. As you probably know, Ray and Colleen are serving as missionaries at the Nauvoo Temple until the end of Oct.

Fri, 14 Sep -

Visit Nauvoo sites including the visitor center, historic homes, and the Carthage Jail site in the afternoon.

Sat, 15 Sep -

Attend an endowment session at the Nauvoo Temple. Ray and Colleen are scheduled to conduct that session and will then take us on a personal tour of the temple after the session. Visit other Nauvoo sites as time allows.

Sun, 16 Sep -

Drive to Chicago and visit/stay with Robyn Nykaza and her family one night. You're probably aware that Robyn is Peggy's niece (Dale and Sharon's daughter).

Mon, 17 Sep -

Drive to Kirtland OH. Kirtland is located a few miles east of Cleveland. Stay two nights at Mentor OH near Kirtland.

Tues, 18 Sep -

Visit Kirtland church history sites (Visitor Center, Newel K Whitney store and home, Kirtland Temple, and the John Johnson Farm at Hiram OH). Other sites if time allows.

Wed, 19 Sep -

Travel to Niagara Falls NY on the way to Palmyra. Visit Niagara Falls sites for 3-4 hours in the afternoon (Visitor Center, IMAX movie, "Maid of the Mist" boat tour to Horseshoe and American Falls). Drive to motel at Canandaigua NY (located 14 miles from Palmyra). Will stay there for three nights.

Thurs, 20 Sep -

Visit Palmyra church history sites (Visitor Center, Smith Family Farm, Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, and the Grandin Bldg - Book of Mormon Historic Publication site).

Fri, 21 Sep -

Visit the Peter Whitmer Farm where the organization of the Church took place. Attend an endowment session at the Palmyra Temple, visit other sites as time allows.

Sat, 22 Sep -

Drive to Rocky Hill CT (near Hartford) to visit Kenny for the weekend and to enjoy some rest and recuperation time.

Sun, 23 Sep and Mon, 24 Sep -

Visit Kenny and possibly visit sights in the Hartford area, fall foliage/colors, etc.

Tues, 25 Sep -

Turn in our rental car at the Hartford Airport and fly home via Southwest Airlines. Arrive Salt Lake City at 6:40 pm.

Whew - are you out of breath at all we have planned?!

With love to each of you (we feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful family)!

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Peggy and Mike

.....