It has been a long time since I have been to This is the Place Utah (the site where Brigham Young said that this was the spot the pioneers would stop as he was overlooking the valley). I remember being there when President Hinckley dedicated a memorial and getting to shake Russell M. Nelson's hand. But I didn't remember very much of the little establishment there. So, yesterday I took the kids for a quick outing there while Mike had work to do in Salt Lake.
The kids by the statue of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith (I love how Thomas is posing like Joseph:)
The giant This is the Place Monument
Keira found my great-great-grandfather Edward Bunker's name. He was a captain of a handcart company that made its way across the plains. Pretty cool!
Thomas and Keira really didn't enjoy the smell at the barn and the petting coral. But they quickly pet a lamb and little bunny and made their way out to the ponies for a ride.
The train was one of the things they wanted to do right from the start. It took us all the way around the perimeter of the little town. It was good to get out of the sun and let the kids stop walking (Keira especially had a hard time; I didn't have the stroller) So this was a treat!
We saw the Brigham Young Farmhouse he used for guests and social events (not to live in himself)
Deseret News: there newspaper building
Thomas saw this and immediately wanted to get off. So, I let them play for a bit. I don't think this is normally a part of this attraction. They had some special event taking place that night. But the kids sure enjoyed having these balloon slides to go on.
Keira climbed onto the replica of the ship that carried some emigrants from England across. It's 1/3 of its original size.
They searched for gold and was rewarded with a sucker and taffy
And we looked at the school...much different then today
All in all, I'd say Thomas and Keira enjoyed it. I know I did! I wish I had more time to tour the town than what we had. I am so grateful to those pioneers for having the faith, courage, and will to make that long trek across the plains to a place where they would be free of persecution and so our Faith can still be around. It's just neat going to places such as these, seeing all they established and learning the history behind everything.