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Published: August 9th 2006
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Rose and Sis. Self
Behind the counter in the restored Whitney General Store. Weather has changed to enough cooler that we feel quite at home. Tonight, when wandering after sunset we almost needed a light jacket.
We started the day with visits again to the Kirtland Temple for a tour of that building owned and managed by the Reorganized Church or what is now called The Community of Christ Church. It was most interesting, of course, to be conducted through three floors of meeting rooms and see how it was constructed in the 1830's. Of course we have a few interest stories. One occurred as we were walking through the temple gardens next to the street when we were subject to a dive-by yelling heard from a man in a white half-on truck holler something containing the word 'Mormon's and a phrase involving 'anti-christ'. We assume he was speaking against the church. Anyway, that was the only derogatory part of the visit.
Following that, we enjoyed a guided tour of the Kirtland Visitor Center operated by our own Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We had seen the film the night before so a very pleasant Sister Self guided us to see the Whitney Store, the Johnson Inn, the sawmill, and
Don in the School of the Prophets
Humble feelings here about the teachings that took place here. the ashery. There is great significance to the happenings in this partial village restored and dedicated in 2002 (I think). Following this we were encouraged to go visit the John Johnson home about 30 miles south. It was casually mentioned that we might find the drive out there interesting because it goes through or near a district that has a large number of Amish folk who farm still using horses and set themselves apart from the world by using older methods. And there is an Amish restaurant in Middlefield called Mary Yoder's. Since it was near lunch we decisded to drive there first and eat.
In Middlefield we encountered our first horse and buggy traveling the streets with the cars. We later saw others, each drawn by a single horse and some were driven by women. On the streets also were a number of Amish or Mennonite people dressed in distinctive clothing, some men with significant beards and women wearing dresses and bonnets.
The meal at Mary Yoder's Amish Restaurant we enjoyed a very nice home-cooked meal. Rose had thier ribs (more like pork chops) and I had a thick slice of turkey breast, each serevd with nice
mashed potatoes and veggies. For dessert we had a shared piece opf fresh peach pie piled high with shipped cream. This reataurant was more 'commercial' than we expected with a large area devoted to home-made baking and then a large selection of gifts and souvenirs.
As we set out to find our way to the Johnson farm previously mentioned, we toured a bit of the countryside and again encountered these horse and buggies and many beautiful farms that are not served by electricity and all the common conveniences that most everyone else enjoys. After we passed one young lady driving her horse and buggy on a rather major and busy paved highway I pulled off on the side road to photograph the unit and she turned down the road we were parked on. We paused awhile then turned around and followed her and she drove onto their farm just a mile up the rode. On impulse, I followed into their property and the mother was out hanging clothes so we stopped and visited her. She requested we take no pictures but was tolerant of our intrusion, expressing understanding about our curiosity. It was a most satisfying visit and of
course we told her we truly respect them and their beliefs.
This long story contuinues gto the Johnson Farm. It was another good experience to learn of this church family and the wonderful events of the early church there.
Tonight, we stopped at Geneva On-the-Lake (Erie). It is quite a deteriorated area, in our opinion, with carnival like streets along the beach and many people wandering. We were discouraged with the poor quality of motels so we deceided to get back on the freeway I90. Just as we were about to enter that highway we cam across a double bonanza! A Howard Johnson Motel with a vacancy, and a Wendy's Dairy with a frosty to delight our taste. After registering at the motel we went to that carnival beach area again and watched people. Kinda fun.
Now it's off to bed. Tomorrow we will likely return to the Niagara area before departing for home on Thursday evening from Toronto.
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