(Disclaimer: It's March 2026 and I am trying to finish up some old posts on this blog before trying to print this blog in a book form. Beginning at the Cornish Family Reunion 2016 (part 1) Martin Cove pictures, I am writing captions for the pictures which had previously been uploaded at the time listed for publishing. So I'm going off of memories 10 years after the fact.)
Cornish Family Reunions!! We love 'em!! This year the Kotters were in charge and they organized it around a trip to Nauvoo. The Georgia Cornishes all caravanned their way to Nauvoo. We rented a motor home and planned to meet them all there. We left a few days early so we could make a few stops on the way. Matt and I were really excited about traveling via motor home. It did change how and what we packed. The pile in our bedroom started to grow as the day of departure approached. 
It took us a couple of hours to pack the motorhome. Kate and Daniel thought it all was super exciting - having beds and kitchen in the car with us, being able to walk around while driving, and a TV!! They were ready for a good time. Here they are checking out the TV on the bed above the driver.
Once it was all packed it was around 8pm, but Matt suggested we hit the road. With the kids in their pjs and strapped in at the table we headed toward Wyoming. We drove to the Little America in Wyoming and parked there for the night. The Littles were long since in bed, having been delighted at the motorhome experience so far. Matt drove most of the time, but I did take my turn at the wheel so I could get used to it. We enjoyed chatting as we drove.
The next morning we hit a Walmart to pick up some umbrellas and a few other odds and ends.
Daniel offered to open his umbrella to shade everyone. It doesn't take a lot to delight these kids.
Oliver Mac is a pretty easy traveler.
Sometimes Kate doesn't like getting her picture taken. And sometimes I do it anyway.
Ah, siblings.
Our first official stop on the trip was Martin's Cove. Matt had been here before on trek with Emily and Tyler. We talked with the Littles about pioneers and explained that we had ancestors that came to this place to rescue others that were really had a hard time. At these ages we kept it simple, but they're never to young to hear stories, especially the true stories of faith and courage of their own family.
Our little pioneers. It's a beautiful place to visit... but humbling to think of the sacrifices made by those who took this journey. Those who did put their little ones in a wagon and walked hundreds of miles to Zion.
These are so powerful.
Back on the road for heading for Mount Rushmore! I've wanted to go here for such a long time, but it's so out of the way that it's hard to make it happen, but we're making it happen. This whole RV travel is pretty awesome. Stories, singing, chats, grand (flat) views, naps, lunch, videos all while we're progressing along our path.
There it is!
More than 2 million people visit Mount Rushmore every year! That is so crazy to me. That being said, it is a totally amazing feat to have accomplished.
I loved the museum, bookstore and videos showing how the carvings were made (genius!). Matt did a lot of entertaining Littles so I could read and wander some. Bless his heart.
For various reasons the monument wasn't completed (money, war, death of the sculptor Gutzon Borglum). This is what it was supposed to look like.
I love that we were able to make this happen. Now we're off to Omaha, Nebraska to pick up Loraine Cornish (one of our favorite people ever).
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