A Trip To Cleveland

Once again, Kris made a great traveling partner as he and I headed to Cleveland* at the end of September for a too-short but jam-packed trip. The main event was the 1/2 marathon that Ayrel & I had been killing ourselves to get into shape for, but we were also able to: see Ayrel's school, check in on Ben while he was on duty at the Cleveland Clinic, visit historical Kirtland and the Johnson Farm, eat marvelous Italian and Indian food, and relax around a Monopoly board! Oh, and take a quick tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Ayrel & Ben are pros at making sure things run smoothly, even with a house full of out-of-towners, so even though we only had 3 1/2 days it felt like a lot more because of their inspired planning.

*Cleveland is also called "The Mistake on the Lake", but I don't know why. I think it's a lovely city with so much to offer!

Ben & Ayrel on the porch of their home on Cedar Street

Love the DeSoto - I'm so glad they actually use it!

Ayrel gave us a quick tour of the main offices of her school at the University of Akron. In the process she gave Sonja a hearing test. Which Sonja deliberately failed. Which caused her mother a bit of concern. Which made Ayrel hope it was only a problem with the equipment. Silly Sonja.

Ben heading off to the Cleveland Clinic

dressed for the occasion.

A lovely, leisurely (slightly fuzzy) walk to Little Italy for dinner -

carbs before the Great Race!

 On Sunday we attended church in Kirtland and toured the area. What a beautiful place and what a wonderful experience.

 Gorgeous flowers on the temple grounds

 I love these old benches in a setting of trees facing the temple

 At the Newel K. Whitney store we learned what the phrases

"the whole 9 yards" and "getting down to brass tacks" really mean!

 School of the Prophets, upstairs room of the Whitney store

Emma loved the red chinaware - and so do I!

 

The sawmill was impressive 

 

A lovely field behind the sawmill; the temple is on a hill behind the stand of trees.

 I loved being in Amish country - it made it quite easy to imagine life in the 1830's

After taking Sonja to the airport :( we gathered around a roaring fire; Kris relaxed in the massage chair and the dogs took up all available space on the sofas while Ben, Ayrel, Troy and I played Monopoly.


And I WON. I have never, ever won a game of Monopoly. I don't really enjoy playing Monopoly. But I was ruthless and perhaps a bit clever, and ended up victorious! Cheer up, Troy - it's only a game - maybe I'll let you win next time so you can sign the board too! 

On Monday we visited the Johnson Farm. This is where Joseph & Emma were staying with their infant twins when the mobs pulled Joseph out in the middle of the night and tarred and feathered him. One of the twins died soon after from the exposure to the elements that night.  So many heart-wrenching events occurred, but there were also many wonderful and exciting things taking place in the early years of the Church. Doctrine & Covenants 76, one of my favorite sections, was revealed in this home.  (I love that this year in Seminary we are studying Church History!)

Johnson Farm kitchen. The mantle is original; the designs on the mantle and doors were painted with feathers!

Small birthing room off of the kitchen, which would also be used for sick children

Front porch of the Johnson home where Joseph gave a sermon the Sunday morning after being tarred and feathered

Before heading to the airport on Monday afternoon we had time to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Kris thoroughly enjoyed seeing the exhibits for Elvis and Michael Jackson, and then he was ready to go. We managed to keep him with us long enough to look at a few other exhibits and browse the gift shop. It was drizzling when we left. Ayrel told us the downpour hit right after she dropped us off at the airport, and I guess it rained for a solid week after we left. Talk about great timing! Talk about a great trip!