Traveling to Toronto

We left Logan on Saturday May 21st and arrived in Toronto on Friday May 27th.
On Saturday we went to Martin Cove in Wyoming and stayed with Sister Wheelers uncle and aunt John and Karen Peterson who are serving as missionaries there. We were able to spend the night with them and experience the life of "pioneer missionaries".  They celebrated the birthdays of two missionaries that night with a big party (close to 20 missionary couples). They like to party. We then went to church with them at the cove. It was interesting to be with such a large group of missionaries and to be missionaries ourselves. They had a pot luck lunch after the meetings which we were able to enjoy also. After the lunch we headed for northeastern Wyoming and spent the night in Moorcroft.

Elder and Sister Peterson with Sister and Elder Wheeler

 On Monday we went through some beautiful countryside to visit Devil's Tower National Monument, a large rock formation. We took a short hike around the tower. What a beautiful place. Maybe we will move there after our mission (no, we forgot about the 9 month winter they have).

Sister Wheeler at Devil's Tower

We then had an appointment with a few of the Presidents of the United States at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. We looked for the carving of President Obama, but couldn't find it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Presidents

We then tracted out the Badland at Badlands National Park. Quite a day for missionaries, Devil's Tower and the Badlands in one day.

Sister Wheeler at the Badlands

On Tuesday we decided to stop at Mitchell, South Dakota to see the Corn Palace. After a trapper commented that nothing could grow in that part of the country, the settlers started using their "excess" corn to decorate their theater. The tradition has continued for over a century with new decorations each June.

Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota

From there we went to see the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota. They had a good collection of historical musical instruments as well as instruments from all over the world.

Musical Instruments from Southeast Asia

We then entered Minnesota and visited the Pipestone National Monument celebrating the quarry where Native American peace pipes were made. There was a bit of flooding (which we encountered across the nation).

Elder Wheeler sitting on Pipestone rock

We spent the night with Grant and Janus Wheeler. It was fun to see them again and witness the fun personality of Alexis. It reminded us of our visit to their home in India.

Sister Wheeler with Grant, Alexis, and Janus

The next morning we were greeted with the broad Wheeler Smile of Edison when we visited Steven and Kara Wheeler and their three lively children.

Steven with three hands full

Kara and Sister Wheeler with ten hands full

We had a long day of travel through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan in the rain, ending up at Holland, Michigan.

Thursday brought a lot of memories of Paul's brother, Doug, and his family as we headed across Michigan. We were able to see a wooden shoe and Delft pottery factory. We then went to Nelis Dutch Village. We were there many years ago when we visited Doug and his family in Michigan. The village was closed back then, but we were able to see it this time. We then went a little ways south to Saugatuck to see Peterson Mill. We stopped by Frankenmuth (a German town) on our way to Port Huran where we spent the night.

Elder Wheeler in his new "flood" shoes

Sister Wheeler buying cheese at Nelis Village

Small mill in Nelis Village

Peterson Mill

Covered bridge in Frankenmuth

We went across the border into Canada early on Friday and crossed Ontario to Toronto. We were warmly greeted and were invited to dinner with the mission predisent and Portuguese missionaries.

Elder and Sister Lindsey, Elders Lima, Workman, and Woodruff, Elder and Sister Wheeler, President and Sister Eyer

Well, we are here and ready to get busy with our mission. Best wishes to all of you.