Fall Road Trip

I was standing among the very walls where the voices of the Founders rang over 200 years ago. This is the very place the signers of the Declaration of Independence and those of the Constitution tapped heaven to create the best union of history. You really can learn a lot about what happened in a historical event by feeling the spirit that accompanies the location of the event. I'm so grateful to have felt that spirit from it's home, strengthening my resolve to do all I can to ensure that spirit never dies in our country. It's the spirit of liberty and agency, which is the Spirit of Christ.

Independence Hall was the first stop on our Fall Break road trip up the east coast. Jeff Taylor, my friend, and I were both looking at grad schools and enjoying the historical sights along the way. It was so awesome! We started in D.C. early Monday morning and then headed to Philadelphia. Of course we did Independence Hall (as discussed above), and saw the Liberty Bell and Franklin's grave. We then checked out University of Pennsylvania and were very impressed with the collegiate feeling there. The buildings are beautiful! Jeff looked into the PhD program at the famous Wharton School of Business there while I took a look at the law school. And of course we couldn't leave the city without eating Philly cheese stakes. Man, that was a good sandwich! We enjoyed the city.

Next, we were on our way to New Haven, CT. We got there late afternoon, with a little daylight left. Yale is so incredible. It has an enchanting ambiance on the campus. They have a bell tower like at BYU (rather, BYU has one like at Yale, haha), and I caught them playing the timeless "Tale As Old As Time" from Beauty And The Beast. It was very nostalgic.

I got to go visit the law school there which must be the most extravagant law building in the country. It has a Gothic architecture with a heaven-reaching tower, vaulted ceilings, and very ornate wooden crown molding in the halls. The small-town feeling of Yale was a nice refreshment from the high-strung Philly scene.

After Yale, we headed yet further up the coast to Boston, where we stayed with a friend. The next morning we went to Cambridge and visited Harvard. It really is a beautiful campus, complete with an Ivy-League makeover. I only stopped by the famous business school to drop off Jeff, but I got to have some time at the law school. Quite the place! It'a fun to just dream and ponder at all of these schools.

Next we went to MIT, took a peak at the Boston Harbor (see below), and then headed to the Freedom Trail. I think Boston is one of my favorite big cities. I love the parks, the cleanliness, the history, the education, and even the weather (well compared to Maine, it's not too bad). It's probably mostly because it reminds me of my mission.

The Freedom Trail starts in Boston Commons (where the city's first settlers began) and then moves through Park Street Church (first place "My Country 'tis of Thee" was sung), then continues on to the resting place of several Founders: Samuel Adams (the instigator of the Boston Tea Party and leader of the Sons of Liberty), James Otis (who coined "taxation without representation is tyranny", and who died from lightening bolt), Paul Revere, and the famous signer and first Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Hancock. It is such a treat to learn about their lives from the tour guides. Following the graveyard, we went to the grammar school of Benjamin Franklin, saw the spot of the Boston Massacre, and then finish up with Faneuil Hall. Everyone in this country needs to do the Freedom Trail. It is awesome!

Well, after Boston, we headed back to Virginia, eating our year's-worth of fast-food along the way including several Wendy's Frosties and Wawa subs. Good times! In all, it was just a fantastic trip. I am so happy and grateful to be able to have these opportunities!

Shenandoah National Park

The trees blanket the soft sloping hills all around; it's as if hundreds of Paul Bunyan's children are hiding under fluffy blankets in every direction. The snap of cool air kisses the foliage bringing sweet blushes of reds, oranges, and yellows. Sunbeams pierce the few openings in the forest while illuminating the remaining green leaves in the trees. It's Fall in Virginia! No wonder Virginia is for lovers ;)

I had the chance to go up to Shenandoah National Park a week ago. My friends camped out but I couldn't because school was a little too intense that weekend. But I got to go on a great hike that led to a lovely waterfall (see below). The green moss looks electric against the shimmering black slate in the water's trail. It is beautiful! It reminds me a lot of a place in Utah called Provo Falls.

On our way up to the park, we passed Charlottesville (home of UVA) and Monticello (which is still on the to-do list!). Man, I really like this place. I'm so grateful to experience the beauty of another part of the world, even though it's only for a few months.