We haven't held still long enough to write much as we've been on the road, but we finally made it across the country and are ready to fly on to Brazil! Saebra especially loved to "watch Daddy's dials" as we drove, helping him keep his speeding in check, and tracking our progress. A little miracle: in all the 4627 miles to get here to Daytona Beach, not one person threw up!
It was a whirlwind launch and an intensely fast road trip. We had so many well-wishers and so many one-more-hugs to share as we left! And we were so grateful for all the love and good cheer! We miss so many of you very much already!
And we cherished the brief visits we had along the way--the girls all agreed of all the really amazing things we got to see, the most amazing were the people. In just over 10 days across 22 states/provinces, we stayed with very dear family and friends who were so generous to house and feed and share love with us! YOU WERE THE BEST PART OF OUR TRIP!
We also saw many sites of church history, family history, national history, and natural wonders and were helped in so many ways by kind new friends, including:
- wonderful authors who wrote delightful audio books to help us through long hours.
- the friendly attendants at gas stations, especially one sweet older man in Nebraska who showed us how to find not only a grocery store, but also a little unexpected stop to see an original pony express station. And then as we sang him a thank you, he sang back a sweet peace from his United Methodists choir!
- folks we stopped to ask directions from, who also shared lovely suggestions of other things to see.
- fantastic tour guides, especially Larry at Independence Hall, PA whose passion for the sacred beginnings of our country so enriched our experience there, and the very thoughtful fellow at the Kirtland temple who noticed our girls' disappointment at not having time for a full tour and gave us just a quick peek inside.
- very helpful staff at accommodations who made things clean and nice and helped us get what we needed to be so comfortable and get where we needed to go.
- many a passerby who took pictures for us, so often offering before we even asked.
Here's just a few highlights of a very few moments in the last few weeks!
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| Sweet 1st grade bon voyage note to Hayla |
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| Surprise! So much fun seeing loved ones, including unsuspecting Aunt Steph at work in CO! |
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| Our best time at gas stops was 8 min 15 seconds--everyone did assigned jobs fast! |
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| Niagara Falls, Canada |
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| Sacred Grove |
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Hill Cumorah,
where the original plates of the Book of Mormon were preserved |
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| Cape Cod! |
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| Plymouth Rock! |
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We enjoyed local foods where we could,
like fabulous clam chowder in New England! | |
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| We ran them ragged with so many hours on the road and so many fast stops. |
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| Tried to visit any temples along our route, including Hartford, CT. |
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| Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island |
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| Manhattan Temple |
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| George Washington's Pew at Christ Church in Philadelphia. Very inspired by this visit. |
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Our fantastic tour guide at Independence Hall,
birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution |
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| Washington, DC |
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| Sunburns at Daytona Beach! |
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A kind friend in Florida let us meet Wobbler,
his "emotional support gator" |
