To the Ohio Trip {Day 5}

Day 5: Saturday 12 May 2018

Canandaigua --> Kirtland --> Coshocton

Saturday was a big driving day.  I think by the time we reached our hotel, we had been in the car for 7 1/2 hours or something ridiculous like that.  Luckily, a few things worked out really well in that regard: it wasn't constant driving (though most of it was done in one long chunk), it was pouring almost the entire time (so we figured why not just keep driving?), we had a great audio version of The Wizard of Oz to listen to (narrated by Anne Hathaway - super fun), the countryside was gorgeous (we drove through lots of hilly areas and past so many beautiful red barns, I couldn't even count!) and the kids were AMAZING!  We took some scenic routes through more Finger Lakes country as we worked our way back towards Ohio.  I can see why Gregg fell in love with the area while he lived here.  It is so beautiful!  

Finally we made it to Kirtland, where Paul and Kim were waiting for us in the Visitors' Center.  We all took a tour of the Newel K. Whitney Store with the sister missionaries and then made our way to the temple for another tour there.  This one didn't fit the "short and sweet" description that had been par for our course thus far with church history sites, but wow, it was interesting!  Rather than being led by a member of the Community of Christ, who owns the temple and who typically leads tours there, we had a Utah Mormon handyman's tour.  He volunteers there taking care of things that need repairing on the temple, and has clearly studied a ton about the building and the history, and eventually was given the green light to lead his own tours with his own "script".  We found it fascinating (even though Sam was losing interest by the middle).  

It's just so green!

A pretty little lake somewhere in the Finger Lakes. (This was
not an actual "finger lake", I don't think.)

Still raining.

Reunited at last!

Still raining as we walked to the Whitney Store.

I liked these checkers made from slices of dried
corn cobs, plus views of historic Kirtland out the
window.

In the room of the School of the Prophets.

And back to the cars.  It's still raining.

Some awesome blossoms on the bushes outside the Kirtland
Temple.  I have no idea what they are, but I like them!

(Not raining!)

After the temple we drove through Amish Country on our way to Coshocton, the town that Kim and Paul had been living and serving in during their mission.  We stopped at Dutch Valley Restaurant for an Amish "Barn-Raising Buffet" (featuring "all-you-can-eat homestyle meats, dressing, real mashed potatoes, noodles (which traditionally go on the mashed potatoes and gravy), creamed corn, green beans, salad bar and more").  YUM!  After dinner, we continued on our gorgeous drive, arriving at the Coshocton Village Inn and Suites, and finished off the day with a quick dip in the pool (Cal and Sam totally deserved it for how well they behaved on this long travel day!).

Amish country.

I was surprised by how hilly it was.

We passed lots of barns and buildings with quilt blocks
on the outside.  I loved it!

Dig in!

Grandma does her "Grandkid wrap up" post-
swim.

Cal wasn't so sure about it while it was happening.

But just look at those adorable chickadees!