Hiram, Ohio: John Johnson Farm

Saturday Morning we drove to the John Johnson farm and home.

This is the home that Joseph and Emma were living in with the Johnson's when the tar and feathering happened. 

Joseph's translation and study area upstairs in the Johnson home. Several revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received in this room, including section 76 about the 3 kingdoms of glory and section 133. NEAT!

The Johnson's were a littler more wealthy for the time period and could afford paint. Sister Johnson (I don't remember her first name) was a happy person and liked to decorating her house. Above you can see original feather painting on the doors, original checkerboard floor, and yellow and turquoise paints. all the rooms had either yellow, peach (seen in translation room picture), turquoise, or maroon paint. Very fun.

Becoming Cultured

Last weekend, August 5-6, Scott and I went on a weekend trip of culture and learning. I picked Scott up early from work and we headed out for out journey. (Not as early as hoped however because the darn dog somehow got the cookies I baked from the middle of the table and ate through the plastic bag. With the Barrett's also out of town I had to make extra arrangements for the dog that is now going to be sick. ugh!) But on with the point:

First step:

Berlin, Ohio: Amish Country.

This picture is taken in front of the Mennonite and Amish Heritage center. Berlin is a little under 2 hours from Columbus. We spent time wandering the shops, tasting cheeses and fudge an old cheese factory, and at the heritage center. The heritage center came last in our exploration of Amish country and up until we went to the center I was some what disappointed. Amish Country was not exactly what I imagined. There were a lot more people that were in more "regular" dress than the typical long dress and full bonnet generally associated with the Amish.

At the heritage center we watched a video about the religion/culture. Here's what was reaffirmed or I learned:

• Amish broke off from the Mennonite and abide by a stricter law.
• The religion came from Switzerland and Germany
• The people are reluctant to use modern technology. While some are very strict, many people will justify the use of a particular tractor. Mennonites generally use more modern technology then the Amish
• Mennonites may drive automobiles while again, some Amish stick to the horse and buggy.
• Most withdraw from any unnecessary taxes, like social security because they never claim for social security.
• The Berlin area is one of the most populated areas of Mennonites and Amish. (I think at least 80% of the people) 

After the video at the heritage center I was no longer disappointed in what I had saw in the streets and stores because I understood that the diversity of the culture I saw was true. Each congregation and individual has a different lifestyle depending on their opinion.

I gained a better understanding of the Article of Faith 8 that says we believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We also believe the Bible to be the word of God as long as it is translated correctly. Many faiths have different versions of the Bible and/or interpret it differently than creating churches different then what God's true church is.

 Step 2: Akron, Ohio…Sports history culture. This one is up to Scott to blog about. Hopefully you’ll get his pictures and story soon!

The next few steps were learning more about the heritage of my own religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, learning about an off break of the church the Community of Christ and where they are now, and going to one of the great lakes, Lake Erie. Even more trips to come!

Chocolate!

Today Scott took a lunch break and met the Barrett's and I at the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory for a tour.  It was fascinating to see the all the steps of making chocolate and filled chocolates. Anthony Thomas makes high quality chocolates like See's Candies but during the summer months generally to contract work such as shaped candy bars like trees, hearts and eggs. Today in the factory Snickers Easter egg bars were being made and packaged and August just started! Crazy huh?

One of the big sellers is chocolate Buckeyes such as these:

 Let me clarify, by my putting this picture up I am in no way, shape, or form supporting the Ohio State University Buckeyes. However it must be shared to give you all a piece of the Columbus experience. In the store they have on display a 235 pound chocolate buckeye with peanut butter filling that could be purchased for just $3500 dollars. See:

Anyone interested? What if I got 235 lbs of chocolate shaped in a "Y" instead?:

Interesting facts:

• The top of the buckeye chocolates isn't peanut butter, it's white chocolate. It has to be chocolate all around the outside to help preserve it.
• Snickers eggs that we saw were being packaged 500 per minute, but that's not even as fast as the machine can go.
• Light sensors are used to know exactly where the candy is so the packaging  goes on correctly.
• Cherry cordials have to be filled by hand since it's solid. They can be packaged 350 per minute.
• The factory is located just down the street from the chapel our ward meets in. As we left Kent said, "I can't believe that all this time I thought it was a candy factory for gross Jolly Ranchers, but it's Chocolate!" or something to that effect.

The tour was $2 a person that can go towards any candy purchase after the tour. So Cassie's suggestion for tonight was to watch the movie Chocolat while eating our chocolate from Anthony Thomas...

Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is a state park here in Ohio filled with lots of great hikes. With the Barrett's we hiked a big loop hitting many of the land marked caves and waterfalls and may I say, it is Gorgeous! We mostly hiked around river bottoms and through what felt and sounded like a rain forest (although maybe fewer trees.) We started early in the morning to avoid the heat but I think I like hiking in Ohio much better than Utah because you're hiking in shaded area's 95% of the time. Yes there is humidity but I think I'd usually still pick the shade.

Isn't it Beautiful?

No, pictures can never do justice to God's remarkable creations, but it's still fun to try. After seeing Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls we had a picnic of curry chicken salad sandwiches, chips, carrots, and fruit then and walked a 1/4 mile trial to Ash Cave.

As we walked to Ash cave we realized a wedding had just ended there. I would think it odd to have random people walking around during my marriage ceremony and if they talk it sounds like yelling since your in a caved area. Oh and by the way people are swimming in the pool of water right behind and are in your pictures... Even though I love nature I am again glad I got married in the temple, it's just a better place for a wedding.

It was a great Saturday spent outdoors with great people. Thanks for the great weekend Kent and Cassie!

The Santa Maria

We started the weekend off by touring the most accurate replica the ship Christopher Columbus sailed to the America’s in, the Santa Maria. It was pretty surprising how small it was when you think of sailing off into the unknown. Even with limited space they would have to fill the bottom of the ship sides with rocks to keep the ship from tipping. This cut the space in half and didn't leave much space for food and other supplies.

Jenny, Meara, and Cassie in front of the Santa Maria

Here is how they'd steer the ship. It is easy for a child to push and pull but big waves in a storm would make the task very difficult.  They showed us how a old end of a rope would be used as reusable toilet paper. The rope end would drag in the water until someone would need it and they'd pull it up. Everyone would use the same rope end...kinda gross.

The crew: Meara, Cassie, Kent, Scott and Jenny on the Santa Maria

Side note (that really is connected): When Scott was in DC interviewing he roomed with a guy who was obviously did not believe in Christ. The roommate asked Scott if he Mormon when Scott said he was from Utah which of course spurred the topic of The Book of Mormon. The roommate said "I just have a hard time believing all that stuff about Jesus.  I mean Columbus had a hard enough time finding the Americas." Really??!! Yes. This guy attempted to compare Jesus Christ to Christopher Columbus. That was his first and main fault since, well,  Christ is a God. Next yeah, I think Columbus would have a hard time in this little ship... but I don't think Christ came to the America's by ship since again, Christ is a God.

To finish off the night we went to German Village and walked around a beautiful park with a statue of some German guy and the streets to see the neat houses. While we wandered Cassie waited in line at Therman's, a little diner with great burgers in the German Village area. Pictured below is the "Thermanator," two 12 ounce patties with lots of other stuff too. Since none of us wanted a heart attack we chose smaller burgers which we all only ate half of...except Scott who finished his gigantic burger.  Needless to say dinner was mm...mmm good!

The Thermenator you can see how big it is by comparing it to the
 server holding the plate. It was HUGE!