Whitmer Farm, Hill Cumorah and Niagara Falls

This was a busy, long day. We said goodbye to the Christensen's and headed out to the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY.

The Whitmer farm is the location where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830 with 6 members, as required by the NY state regulations for forming a religion.  It quickly grew as many were waiting to be baptized.  The sister missionary that gave us the tour of this site was marvelous.  She was from southern UT and had faced many trials in her life.  It was clear that she was being blessed by her mission and we were truly blessed by her association.  I wish we had had a picture taken with her.  This is Eileen and I at the front door of the Whitmer home.

Our last stop in Palmyra was the Hill Cumorah, where the angel Moroni taught Joseph Smith and where he delivered the plates to be translated into the Book of Mormon.

Things were very busy around the visitors center as next week will be the pageant on this site.  It was impressive what they were setting up.  It will be a great show.

This is the Christus statue.  Unlike other Christus statues, this one has the Sacred Grove in the background instead of the heavens and a depiction of creation.  It is equally majestic.

I like this picture Eileen took of the monument.  It looks like Moroni is on fire!

The monument is on the top of a hill.  We could have taken a ride in a golf cart, but we chose to walk up the trail.  It was a nice walk on a warm day and a good feeling at the monument.  It was a bit sad to leave Palmyra but onward we must go.  We made a quick stop at the Chill n Grill before we left.  Thanks Dan and Lisa for the recommendation.  The burger and ice cream were delicious!

Here we are at Niagara Falls.  Fortunately for us, my parents visited Niagara Falls just a couple of days before we met up with them in Buffalo.  They gave us some fabulous hints.  We went first to the Cave of the Winds, then to the Maid of the Mist and ended our time at the observation deck.  It was perfect.  More about each stop.

Cave of the Winds is an elevator ride to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls and then a short walk out to the base of the falls.  But it really starts when they give you sandals and these highly fashionable yellow ponchos.  It is an illusion that the poncho will keep you dry.  Cave of the Winds has several decks in which to view and feel the falls.  It is awesome!  On the Hurricane Deck, it literally blows the water at high speeds on high winds.  We loved it.  

Maid of the Mist is a boat ride in which they issue you a new fashionable blue poncho and take their passengers out on the water past American Falls (above) and into the spray of Horshoe Falls. It was absolutely stunning. 

You can see the boat in this picture. 

This is just a portion of Horseshoe Falls. 

We were in awe of the beauty of Niagara Falls.  Pictures cannot begin to do it justice.  

From the Observation Deck.

We bid a fond farewell to New York.  We traveled to Cleveland, OH on Thursday, passing through a corner of Pennsylvania on the way.  We arrived in Cleveland about 11:45 pm.  It was a long and wonderful day.