From Steam Engines to Graveyards

On Labor Day, we did NOT labor or celebrate the fact that we are in an organized union (which we are not.) What we did do however, was hop in our car and headed toward Promontory Point.

I'm a little embarrassed to say that although I was born in Utah and have lived here my whole life, I have never visited this historic site. Brad hasn't either. Well, we remedied that situation. We got there just as they were retiring the Jupiter for the evening.

I told the kids how the Chinese were instrumental in connecting the continent. Caleb thought that was cool.

Just as an observation, Promontory Point is waaaaay out in the middle of nowhere. I'm glad we went but I'm not sure we will be going back there any time soon. On our way back, we went to the Farmington Cemetery where Brad's great-great-great grandpa is buried.

This is the grave site of Henry W. Miller. He lived in St. George and while he was visiting his brother Arnold Daniel Miller, he got sick and died. So, his final resting place is in Farmington. His wives and children are buried there too.

Henry W. Miller is quite prominent in Mormon history. He first met Joseph Smith when they were living in Quincy, Illinois. They joined the church and it is Henry and is brother Daniel, who were both carpenters, that built the aspen wood tabernacle where Brigham Young was ordained the second prophet of the church. Henry W.'s statue now sits outside the rebuilt tabernacle in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

He also crossed the plains several times leading wagon trains to the Salt Lake valley. We're pretty proud to be related to him.

We had a fun time looking at the pioneer headstones in the cemetery. Emma was pleased to come across this one.

Do you like how I inserted myself into Emma's picture?

 Emma, Emma, she's always had a fascination with the macabre. We went to a ceramic store where you can paint and fire something once when the girls were younger. I let Rachel (7) and Emma (6) pick out something to paint. Rachel chose a heart-shaped plate. Emma chose an eyeball. I encouraged Emma to choose something else.

Emma loves this picture and the creepy way her face is washed out from the sun. I know her Poa Poa would hate it.

Labor Day was a good day for us this year.