NIAGARA FALLS

After spending the day in Palmyra we woke up and went to church. Then we headed up to Niagara Falls.   I have never been and was really excited and it exceeded my expectations!

Rainbow Bridge

Getting ready to go down the elevator to get on the Maid of the Mist!

Aren't we cute and of course they have to be blue.

I got soaking wet and I loved every minute of it.

Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and  twenty percent of the world's fresh water lies in the Great Lakes, and most flows through Niagara Falls. That is so amazing to me. 

Everyone was telling me that Canada has the better view, but all I have to say to that is most of the Falls is on American soil, so who cares! Just get on a boat see it up close and personal what more could you want!

American Falls is 183 ft tall at its highest point to the river. The free-fall to the rocks below varies between 75-110 feet with an average of about 85 feet.

 The word Niagara is derived from the Indian word Onguiaahra meaning "the strait".  

I can't wait to go again and next time I will stay in Canada in one of the hotel right across from it and just enjoy my view everyday.  I seriously love my life.

PALMYRA

 I took another weekend adventure and this time it was to Palmyra,  NY.  We left Friday afternoon and my car got there at around 3:30 AM yes AM.  I left work at 4 and didn't get to LGA until almost three hours later (I hate MTA) where we were all meeting to pick up the car and from there we drove to Rochester where our hotel was.  So, let's just say I was a little sleep deprived for most of the trip, but it was worth it!

Palmyra temple is beautiful!

We visited where Joseph Smith grew up and we visited the Smith family farm. It is a gorgeous and very calm place.  Calm yea, I don't get that much in the city so it was nice being away from all the hustle and bustle and just be able to enjoy nature.

The log cabin where Joseph Smith and his family lived when he was young.  Eleven people shared the small cabin I can't imagine what that was like.  No wonder Joseph had to go out into the woods to get some peace and quiet! I would of lived outside!

Beautiful sacred grove so comforting and serene.

 Climbing up the Hill Cumorah!  We all made it!

A room in the Visiting Center.

 On top of the hill

 

Chilling in the HEAT! NY is HOOOOT right now!

 

 

Bookstore where they printed the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. It took them right months! The things I take for granted and it cost $1.50 that was a day and a half's wage.  What a sacrifice.
Nice air conditioned hotel room...nice way to end the day.

PHILADELPHIA

 

I went to Philly for a day and I loved it. We took a bus and left at 7:30 in the morning and arrived a couple of hours later. That is why I love New York because so many states are so near and most are a bus or train ride away. 

 Right after we got off this is what was waiting for us!  I haven't been out of the city in the seven months so it was nice to get out for awhile and see lots of trees, little towns and cars that aren't taxi's.  We got there pretty early in the morning and the first thing I noticed was that you could walk down the street and not run into a million people.  I forgot that happened :) It was also quiet...I do miss that A LOT.

 

 The gang!

 I loved all the pretty buildings.  That is also why I love the East because things are older than fifty years and most have the coolest architecture.  Nothing like Europe, but as close as I will get right now. 

 The first skyscraper was built in Philadelphia and this is it!  Even though I see them everyday they never really get old.

 This is the home of Thomas Jefferson and was originally built in 1775, but was rebuilt using old photos in 1975. This is where Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and they believed he did it in less than three weeks.  They also recreated two rooms from his house that they have on display.

 

 George Washington

 I am sure you can tell why I took this picture :) Of course to show you the period clothing.

We of course stopped for a Philly Cheesesteak and I will say that it was pretty tasty!

Independence Hall I really like this place.  There is only two originally pieces and they are the painting and the little statue on top of the painting, but they have recreated with period pieces so I am sure it is pretty accurate.  I am just glad it has air conditioning I don't know how they survived and got anything done without it! I love the Georgian architecture and how everything has to be symmetrical and to show that the door on the right in the picture is just a facade there is nothing behind it.

This is the Assembly Room where George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. In the same room the design of the American flag was agreed upon in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781, and the U. S. Constitution was drafted in 1787. I can't believe that all of this happened and we still have the building today even though it had to be restored.  I can't imagine the pressure they must of felt during the time they were trying to come up with what America was going to be about and it made me wonder what they would think of America now...

I love this quote.

 

 House of Representative's meeting room

 Senator's meeting room on the second floor from the outside it looks pretty small, but it is quite large once you get inside.

 I LOVE this fountain it is the coolest thing and it was nice because it kept on getting me wet and cool.

So many gorgeous buildings!

It was also weird to have to wait for the walking sign to cross the road we couldn't j walk as much as I am use to.  Sadly, I don't have any patience anymore and don't like to wait for the light to turn green.

Philedephia Museum of Art this Museum is HUGE.

Yes, I walked up those stairs and no I did not raise my hands and jump or do whatever he does once  he reaches the top.  I haven't even seen the movie, but it sure is a gorgeous view up there.

 So as we are walking before we getting ready to catch the bus.  What do I SEE!!!! 7-Eleven oh how I miss you.  This was my birthday present to myself a huge grape slurpee and I haven't had one in so long that I could only eat a third of it before I was done :( It has been more than two years since I have had one and I could feel the sugar sticking to my teeth just waiting to give me a cavity.  It was a great way to end the day though.  I loved philly and I can't wait to go back got to love day trips!

Happy Birthday to ME!

 

My roommate surprised me on my birthday by decorating our apartment! First off was the lovely donut cake I thought it was very creative and cute. 

 Next off we have the hilarious decorations.  I think she had a lot of fun making all of these :) They made me feel like a kid again. I especially like the chain.

 More signs and smiley faces!

Best sign EVER because it is so true. I will never forget when I turned 24 because Harry Potter ended after consuming almost half my life. They should make my birthday a National Holiday I would totally be cool with that.

 

 

After work I headed to Union Square for dinner with some great girls!

 Of course it couldn't be a BIRTHDAY without DESSERT!!! So, some of us headed over to Max Brenner (amazing). This picture is my favorite I am sure you can guess why. :)

The lovely Abby and I!

All of our desserts. I will say that after we received our desserts it was pretty quiet at the table because we were stuffing our faces. I don't know a nicer way to put it. I had apple crisp wow it was wow.