Weekend Upstate

We just got back from our road trip through upstate New York. It is BEAUTIFUL. Rolling hills, farms and open country for the win. We had initially planned on just stopping at Watkins Glen Park but there are tons of cool spots to stop. Taughannock Falls is only about 30 minutes or so from Watkins so we stopped there first. All the pictures make the waterfall look crazy good but it was kind of weak sauce since they have been lacking in rain up North. We were told Spring is even better! The walk to it was still pretty and even better, there was this amazing lake front camping and park area that we stopped for lunch at right across the way. It was beyond gorgeous. I asked lyle if there was an office up there at this point I was so in love. After that we went to Watkins Glen. I have seen pictures of this place all over Pinterest for as long as I can remember and have been dying to go. The main gorge trail (which is what you see in all the pictures) was really cool!

The main reason for this road trip was to go to the Hill Cumorah pageant and see all the church history sites. In growing up on the East Coast, this was my first time going to the pageant. It was such a perfect night for it and the stars were unreal up there. We went to Joseph Smith’s House (well the replica of it). The cool thing is its built on the exact foundation and it was built in the exact same way as the previous one with the trees from the woods. The spirit was so strong in the upstairs bedroom where Joseph Smith was visited by the Angel Moroni. Right behind the home is the Sacred Grove. The whole area was amazing and I loved getting to know more about our church history.

Okay so kinda funny, the sister missionary made a joke about them this being one of the first pizza ovens and I was like “wow really?” and then everyone laughed. I know Lyle must have been so proud…haha

The Palmyra temple was SO beautiful but a lot smaller than I thought it would be. It took no time at all to walk around it.

Lyle told me that when he was younger he and his friends used to take girls down to the Manti Pageant for dates. He told me how it was perfect for holding hands and cuddling. He’s such a cutie. Too bad for them that I’m the only girl to get to hold this babes hand now.

Niagra Falls was only a couple hours away so there was no way we were missing it. IT WAS UNREAL. After lunch and wandering around the NY side we drove over to the Canadian side (even though you can walk too). If I am being completely honest, the Canadian side is 100% better. The only way to access the falls that are further away (see picture above) is to take the boat out to them, but if you go to the other side you can get right up next to them. The rainbow was even visible on that side as well. Also, I know it may be a bit touristy, ok a lot, but it had the coolest main street with arcades, mini golf, food and all sorts of fun stuff. It was so cool.