This is the RIGHT place

monument marks the place where Brigham Young came through the canyon and had a witness that the Salt Lake Valley was where the LDS pioneers were to settle. The ground surrounding this monument feels like a holy place and is dedicated to all the Mormon pioneers who made the trek west ~ both those that arrived and those that tried but didn't make it. Looking out over the Salt Lake Valley is an awe-inspiring sight. I can only imagine the joy the pioneers must have felt to have finally reached their destination. Near the monument, there is an amazing park filled with replicas of buildings that the pioneers built in various places throughout the valley. We started waiting for the old-fashioned train to take us around the park, but then decided to walk it.

I love the period costumes that the people wore who acted as tour guides in character.

At the old schoolhouse, Anna learned what happened if you were caught talking in school during the 1850s.....you had to stand on a stump, put your nose on the wall and hold a hymnbook in each hand behind your back.
Rachel learned what happened if you were tardy or hadn't completed your homework.....

And Jay learned what happened if you did something REALLY bad......(PS ~ she didn't really spank him, but I couldn't resist snapping this shot!)

Now you see the ring on the chains.......

Now you don't.....my girls were impressed that I knew how to remove it. It's nice to wow your kids every once in awhile.

The girls got to hand wash some rags and hang them on the clothesline

We had fun with stilts! This was as far as Rachel dared to get up on them.

Anna did pretty good....she was able to balance herself

And Jay managed a few steps

We got to run the metal rings up and down the street....here Rachel runs to catch up to hers before it falls.

It's a 3 ring circus!

The girls learned how to card wool

And we got to pan for gold. Rachel found the biggest piece and we pooled our resources at the bank as we exchanged our gold for salt water taffy. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of that.

We had a fun day learning about how our ancestors would have lived in early pioneer days!

If you have the opportunity to visit this park the next time you're in Utah, you'll be sure to have a great time! I hear in October, they have a great haunted house. We may have to make a return visit........