Chagrin River

The other day some senior couples got up early and went walking up the Chagrin River to where it had been dammed, mainly for a grist mill that was in operation at the time but where the Saints had done some baptisms. The river now, is so low that we only got wet half way up our legs. Lots of slate slabs made it fairly easy to walk but we did need a walking stick for balance.




We only had to go about a half mile to find where the dam had been. Not much left now because many years ago, a lady who owned the property where the grist mill had been, got tired of seeing people go skinny dipping in the water so she took some dynamite and blew the dam up.

One of the stories in history tells us that Willard Richards wanted to have his baptism be a memorable occasion. He wanted to be baptized on December 31st so that he could enter the new year clean and pure. December 31st came along and by then the river had frozen over. They had to take an ice saw and cut through the thick ice so that he could be baptized. (I'm sure it was memorable!)



We had fun finding very flat rocks of chips of slate to skip in the river. Not sure if you can see the bounces but Doyle won the prize hands down! Some of his throws just went on and on. This is such a beautiful place to be. History every where you look! We are blessed to be here

Up the Hill

Outside our home is a small hill that we finally got around to exploring. It is as though we are walking through an old wooded forest. It is so quiet and peaceful out there and as we were hiking up we had to grab onto small trees and carry a walking stick in order to keep our stability. About 50 yards up we came across some stones that were set out in a circle (sort of like a fire pit) but there were two other sets of circles all next to each other.



There is a very old tree stump close by that looks like there might be some writing on it but then again, it may be really old moss that has long since disappeared. Anyway, using our imaginations we are trying to figure out if this might be the burial place for four of Joel Hills Johnson's siblings who died while they were living in Kirtland. These siblings would be Nancy, Seth, David and Susan.

The historic fiction novel series "A Banner Is Unfurled" has really given us a bit insight to the background of a family here in Kirtland and also, as I wrote in a previous blog, we are living in Joel Hills Johnson's home. It is fun to explore our surroundings and let our imaginations run at full speed. =o)



At the top of the hill, all of the sudden we came to a wooded ledge that dropped off abruptly. At the bottom is a small creek with some old tree bridges going across.

This and That

This past week has been a wet one! For a couple of days we have been slushing through the puddles doing tours. Last night just as we were taking a couple out, the heavens opened and poured. We only got about 10 feet out the door when they wanted to go back in. We ended up giving a picture tour that is set up for just such times. Not quite like the real thing but the pictures are great and the spirit can be felt.


Outside our house the water puddles up and seeps into the basement so the sump pump has to keep working along with the dehumidifier. Some of the older houses on site had to be pumped out because the water came in too fast. Sister Bell said she was having to go through 3" of water to get to her washer.


Speaking of humidity......Here is a comparison picture of some Ice Breakers I carry around in my pocket. Two days in my pocket and they start to dissolve. I have to figure out a way to keep them more dry.....perhaps a plastic bag will help. =o)




Today we had some interesting ways of transportation. The site was very busy being the day before the 4th of July. We looked out in the parking lot and here was a really old blue bus that had been converted. They drove all the way out from Utah! Then this really neat racing limo drove up with some more visitors. Even the driver was decked out in his racing uniform!




A few times now we have looked out and have seen a deer in our yard! They are so pretty and fun to watch.

Busy Day!

What a surprise! Saturday, June 6 was a super busy time! Sister Harris got on the phone and called all of the Senior Missionaries scheduled to come in the afternoon (even those who had a scheduled P-day) to come in earlier as there were five buses in the parking lot three of which were unscheduled. With buses,that means lots of people. When we opened our door to head over, there were two of the three in the entry road parked right in front of our door!

Along with additional people coming in, it was a very hectic time for a few hours! By 3:30, we had 499 visitors.




Elder Butterfield took charge of organizing the visitors and assigned the missionaries to each group. All of the Seniors plus all of the Sister Missionaries were on hand waiting for their assignment.



A little later in the day two more buses that the Visitor's Center was expecting arrived and by then things had slowed down a little.



After about 5:30, things returned to somewhat normal. But at the end of the day a total of 723 visitors were logged in the books. What a beautiful place this is where people want to come to learn of the history Kirtland has to offer and to build their testimonies of the Church and the sacrifices that were made here by the early Saints.

More Home Tour

Thought we would send a couple of pictures of the upstairs slant.
Looking in the bedroom, note the tilt of the dresser against the wall and the boards lifting the foot of the bed. It has taken a bit of an adjustment in the mornings. When I get out of bed, I hang onto the bed post so that I don't gain too much speed getting to the door. It is really a "down hill" feeling. =o) It is interesting that in the other bedroom, the bed is facing the opposite direction and also has to be propped up with 4 boards to make it level.



This door takes the prize!! =o)

They had to stretch the bottom hinge as far out as they could to make the door level.




I made bread the other day and when I put it in the oven, the middle pan started to slide. I couldn't believe my eyes! It slid back and to the right corner in the oven! However, the bread turned out great!

The inside of our home is roomy and lots of space. We are enjoying it very much, no matter how much we make it a "conversation" piece.

Our New Home!

We have finally received official notice of our transfer to Kirtland. Our move will be on May 21. We will be living in the Joel Hills Johnson home right by the Visitor's Center. No more "commuting" for an hour to the site! We are excited to make the move but at the same time a little nostalgic realizing the calm, peaceful and beautiful surroundings that we will be leaving behind. Our stay the the Johnson farm has been a wonderful experience! Serving out here with Elder and Sister Leavitt and the sister missionaries, testifying of our Savior Jesus Christ, has been the best! We have met so many guests from all over the world while we have been out here.

I am sure our stay at Kirtland will be a growing experience for us also for the last half of our mission so we are looking forward to new horizons. The home where we will be living is very intersting. It is from the early 1800s and has settled a bit........(a noticeable "bit") =o)

When our daughter Kristen and her family visited with us last month, we showed them our new "quarters" and when she got home she wrote back and said that all she could think of was the poem.....

There was a crooked man, who walked a crooked mile
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked style
He bought a crooked cat who caught a crooked mouse
And they all lived together in a little crooked house!

We are enclosing some pictures to show what she was talking about. But nevertheless, it is very nice inside and big! We are excited!

Dr. Seuss's Magical Orchard

The orchards by the Johnson Farm are really unusual. They have been pruned to look like they could be right out of a Dr. Seuss story. These are apple trees that have been purposely pruned somewhat like a Christmas tree in shape. The central leader goes straight up and is narrow on top so that every apple on the tree has equal exposure to the sun. Every apple from the tree is pristine quality.

When we first saw these trees I thought they looked a little like a hob goblin (whatever that is!) They are so unusual looking that many visitors ask us about them and just what kind of trees they are. We finally stopped at the home of Roger Monroe and had him explain the whole system to us. They have 140 acres of apples and pears. There are 22 different varieties of apples on the farm and each row is a different variety so that cross polination can take place with every variety. Whatever they do and however they accomplish their goal, we had the opportunity to enjoy many of these varieties last Fall. They have a little store in back of their home on Pioneer Trail that is right by the Johnson Home so we pass it every day.