Our trip ended up being so much fun. Long, but worthwhile. All except for Kansas that is! We ended up going through 11 states: Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia. 

Colorado’s landscape is beautiful, but as we drove over and through the mountains we were grateful we were in our car and not a Uhaul truck. Kansas pretty much sucks. It seemed to never end and the whole thing was flat! Plus the high temperature, humidity, and tornado warnings added to our dislike of the state. Did I mention we hate Kansas. haha

Missouri was a little better than Kansas. However, the heat and humidity were still a factor. We stayed one night in the city Hannibal, which is the home town of Mark Twain. We were able to see a lot of stuff that he wrote about in his books which was neat.  We also stayed that night in an awful hotel. I was tired and ornery so Ben pulled up to the first hotel off of the freeway. It was TERRIBLE! As Ben got out of the car he was like oh there’s a dead mouse or bird.  I knew that was another bad sign-on top of the looks of the place. As we walked into the hallway, it wreaked of smoke.  Next as we tried to open our door it wouldn’t open so Ben went back to the manager and came back a few minutes later with the solution. Then as we entered the room we were put off again by the awful smells. Ben continued to unpack the car, making sure to get everything so as not to attract thieves, and I cried.  Being pregnant really brings out the emotional side! Needless to say we learned our lesson and stayed in nicer places the rest of the trip.

Missouri also has a city called Independence which holds a lot of significance to LDS members. It is the place where the Garden of Eden was, it was also were the new Jerusalem will be built, and it is where the early saints were driven out due to conficts with the locals. There is no LDS temple there, but there is a lot that Joseph Smith did in fact dedicate for a future temple.  The Church does not own the Temple lot at this point in time, but we do have a Visitor Center.  Ben and I were able to take a Church History tour with one of their sister missionaries. (Yeah for VC sisters!!!) My heart was truly touched as she told us of the hard times and the persecution that the Saints had to go through. The Saints were told that Independence would be Zion and I can’t help but think of how the Lord taught them a very valuable lesson during their stay.  Zion is not a specific location.  I’m guessing that when the Saints heard Joseph say that Independence would be Zion they thought they would settle there for good and be safe from persecution. Instead the Lord taught them, refined them, and continued them on their way out west. 

We were also able to visit Liberty Jail and see the awful circumstances the Prophet and 4 others endured for several months. The Prophet later said that it was like a Temple because of the revelations he received while imprisoned there.

While in Illinois we went to the Nauvoo temple.  Nauvoo is a tiny town and the Temple stands out beautifully. We were able to go through the Temple while we were there and can I just say I love Temple workers! One sister saw my big ol’ belly and said “oh, when’s your little pumpkin due?” After Ben and I looked at each other and said, “that was new”. That same day we visited Carthage Jail and had another spiritual experience. We took a tour and learned so much! For example, the prophet was not in the actual jail cell that all prisoners were supposed to stay in. The family who lived in the jail let Joseph and the others stay in their master bedroom upstairs. They also had them down for dinner at least once. (not a typical procedure for prisoners I’m sure.) 

Next we were off to Chicago. We stayed the night with Ben’s cousins Daniel and Heidi. They are incredible people and it was so great to get to visit with them even if it was only for a night. They have two little boys and a brand new baby girl. As Ben and I held their baby we were again given another reality check. WE ARE HAVING A BABY!! Anyway, the next day we got to meet up with one of my best friends Jill and her husband Greg. They were great tour guides and we had a blast walking around Chicago. We acted like we were going to eat at a super fancy restaurant on the 96th floor of a building so we could see the Chicago skyline without paying the hefty price. I’m a complete nerd because the whole time I was afraid they were going to discover our little plot and kick us out. Good thing they didn’t! Thanks Jill and Greg for taking the time out of your busy day and showing us around. We can’t wait until we can return the favor when you come to DC!! (SOON)

Man this is long. If you are still reading you are either a trooper or my mom. haha  Next, came the Football Hall of Fame which just happened to close 8 minutes before we got there. Ben cried! We did, however, get to see Notre Dame’s campus and famous football stadium. Our last stop was at the Kirtland Temple in Ohio.  The Community of Christ owns the Temple and their staff takes people on tours. Ben and I were the only ones in our tour and we got to ask all the questions we wanted. The Temple still has a spirit about it, and it was really neat to experience. We were so glad we stopped to see it. Again another testimony builder. 

We rolled into Virginia late Saturday night and were welcomed by Ben’s second cousins.  They have been amazing and are some of the nicest people we have ever met.  What a blessing family is! And that my friends is our road trip across the country.