My trip to Palmyra & Niagara Falls

I think I mentioned before that I was going to Palmyra, New York and Niagara Falls with Becca, my friend from Utah. We left Monday night and arrived in Palmyra around 11pm. On the way to Palmyra we were going to make a stop at Texas Roadhouse, one of my favorite restaurant from back home. They closed at 10 and according to our GPS we were to arrive there at 10:15. I was trying to make up sometime, it took us an hour and a half to just get out of the city, so I was going a little over the posted speed limit. It was dark and Becca was my look out for any cop cars. Well, we saw one but it was too late. I knew I was going way to fast to even hope to talk my way out of this. He immediately pulled out from where he was and pulled me over. I was shaking so badly, I was going fast enough to probably have my drivers license taken away from me. I just couldn't help myself, I was shaking uncontrollably. The police officer just asked for the regualr paperwork and asked me if I knew why he pulled me over. I told him I didn't realize how fast I was going until I saw him. He went back to his car and took forever. When he finally came back he gave me my ticket and drove away. It took me a little while to calm down. What a way to start a trip off. Well, we never made it to the restaurant. We ended up eating at some fast food place on the way and then eating some food from the vending machine at the hotel when we got there. I was not in a very good mood after getting my ticket. I ended up calling a friend back home and that cheered me up a bit.

Our rental car, a Dodge Avenger.

When we got to Palmyra and got out of the car, the first thing I realized was how quiet it was. It is never quiet in the city. You always here something, a car horn, sirens, people yelling, music playing, there is always something going on. I haven't heard silence in a long time. It was almost too quiet.

The next morning we started our day at the Smith Farm and Sacred Grove.

Becca and I at the Smith Farm with the Palmyra Temple in the background.

If you have never been to Palmyra is it amazing. The Spirit is so strong. I more understand Joseph Smith and all of the early saints from visiting these areas. When you have walked where they have walked and seen things they have seen, it makes a difference in your perpective. It makes you wonder how you would have been back then. Would you have been one of the strong, who never faulted in following Joseph, or maybe you were someone who didn't have the courage because you were afraid what others may think. Or maybe you just went with the flow and persecuted the ones who believed Joseph and the "Gold Bible." After being in the Sacred Grove, where Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to man, it is so amazing to me just to feel the Spirit there and to know that They were once there. I can't even describe it. After the Smith Farm and the Sacred Grove we drove to the Palmyra Temple. My favorite part of the temple is the huge green lawn directly behind it. It is beautiful!

The Palmyra Temple

The huge lawn behind the temple.

After the temple we went to the Grandin Printing Press.

Which is probably my favorite stop. It is the place the Book of Mormon was finally put together in a book, the finish line for the book. To me it reminds me of all the hardships it took to make the Book of Mormon possible and how our Heavenly Father made it possible for that to happen. It is just incredible the amount of work that went into putting the book together. It is the most interesting part and I am just amazed by it all.

After the printing press we went to Hill Cumorah.

This is the view from the street. On the top right corner you can see the statue of Moroni.

Becca and I on top of Hill Cumorah. It is a very steep hill.

That was me having fun coming down the steps and Becca was ready with the camera.

After Hill Cumorah we went to Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is just incredible and beautiful. You must go there sometime if you haven't already. It is a must!

Niagara Falls. For some reason I felt like poising for the camera. I was a little giddy.

I just love the rainbows that the falls make.

Becca and I at Niagara Falls.

That isn't me gambling, I swear.

After we saw Niagara Falls we went to the Casino. In Canada you can gamble at age 18, so Becca was able to gamble. We had fun but word of advice stop while you are ahead. I started out good but kept going and lost control.

Ok, so it was me and I lost everything, my savings, my car, my life, everything. Actually, all I lost was 20 Canadian Dollars, but it was fun!

I don't know why, I just liked this picture.

Goodbye Becca!! We will miss you!

So that was my wonderful trip to Palmyra and Niagara Falls. I will write again soon about my job and somethings going on here in New York. I love you all, please write me sometime. I also have a website with all my photos on it. You can go to http://picasaweb.google.com/JeniLynn5 to see those pictures.