Nauvoo Trip

During our Spring Break from school, I thought it'd be a good idea to make use of our relative proximity to Illinois and head to a church history site: Nauvoo, IL.

I wanted to see it myself, and I knew that Zoë and Megan would enjoy the history, and figured they'd even have some things to interest Miranda and Veronica. Originally, I had a few friends who said they'd come with, but they weren't able to make it. Still, we had a decent hotel room at a place with an awesome indoor pool, and we were able to spend 2-1/2 days in the area.

My favorite part of the trip was seeing the Nauvoo Temple. It is absolutely stunning from the outside, and I imagine books could be written about the symbolism of the outside portion of the temple (volumes of books could probably be written about the symbolism inside the temple!). My only regret is that there wasn't an adult with me so I could go inside the temple. But, that will be for the next trip with family (Nana? Grandma and Grandpa? Grandpa Wing and Jan? Grandma Great? Grandma Winkie? I'd love to go with any/all of you!!!)

My other favorite part of the trip was the blacksmith shop, watching the older missionary Elder beat a hot metal dowel rod into a mini horseshoe and picking out my own prairie diamond ring. I wished there had been more interactive things for the girls (Miranda had a difficult time sitting still for more than 30 seconds. I'm blaming that on the long drive to get there). I understand that the summer is a little better for interactivity. I still think they did a great job overall.

We also enjoyed the Browning Gunsmith shop and his home. It was particularly special for Zoë because she read the booklet Grandma sent her. The girls are the great-great-great-great granddaughters of Jonathan Browning (on their dad's side; I only have the Mayflower ancestors). It was really insightful to see the buildings and the land that he lived on. I look forward to going back there with Grandma and Grandma Great! (hint, hint)

My other favorite part of the trip was on Thursday morning when we drove down to Carthage. It was a really powerful time, after having seen a glimpse of the vision Joseph Smith, Jr. had of Nauvoo, of the beauty and importance of family, the hope and peace the gospel promises, even in the midst of struggles, trials, and fights, and then see the place where he died, and know that I am living in the time that he must have seen, and looking forward to even more of the fulfillment of his prophecies and promises. I thought about how the mob had formed because of misunderstanding, fear, and the cunning of the Evil One, and how many might have thought if they killed the instigator, they might derail this religious movement... and here we are nearly 200 years later, continuing to love, serve, build beautiful things (of spiritual and temporal worth), and to bring peace and hope to all our brothers and sisters, member or not, in the world. I think anybody who goes to Nauvoo would really miss out if they didn't make the time to stop at Carthage and hear the story, and relive the last few hours of Joseph Smith, Jr.'s life.

Coming home, I was even more excited for General Conference, and the opportunity we have to hear the words of Living Prophets. How grateful I am for the Lord and his mercy! How grateful I am that I can feel His love, and know that, no matter what struggle or trial, even if I'm asked to leave my home and taking only a small carton of personal belongings/treasures, that I will be blessed, and all things will work for my good and the good of others. It definitely gives me a different view of our next move...

Enjoy the pictures of our trip!

Bundled up in quilts while we head out on a wagon-ride tour of Old Nauvoo.

Nica and Zoë huddled together. Megan sat on her own.
I wanted to keep a hand on Miranda so she didn't jump out!

Huddled together.

It was chilly, but the sun and quilts made it bearable.

The woman bundled in the dark hood in the back was Sister Brooks from Canada.
She was our tour guide on the wagon ride, and also taught us about making bread in a bustle oven the next day.

Looking out over the wheels.

Nauvoo Temple. You could see it most places from down in Old Nauvoo because it was built up on the hill overlooking the Misissippi River and the "Mormon City".

Giving a pat and a pet to our horses, Ned and Mike, who pulled the wagon.

Browning Blacksmith Gunshop.

Listening to our tour guide talk about how they beat a piece of metal into a gun barrel.

Miranda asked what the keys and tools were for.

Looking through the barrel of a rifle.

Each of us got to look at the spiral grooves cut inside the tube.

Megan's turn.

What we could see looking down the barrel.

This is the cellar where the cistern holding rainwater was used as a refrigerator. The poor tour guide was so patient with Miranda who seemed ready to jump in just about any direction at any time!

Outside in the back yard. We could see the temple up on the hill (almost the direction the girls are facing).

Nica had fun dancing around outside.

We accidentally spilled some candies and Nica gathered them and carefully carried them.

Miranda was b-o-r-e-d and started using the camera to take pictures of everything.

Megan's 'attitude'

Zoë's 'attitude'

The runners...

Miranda was so frustrated that we weren't swimming and complained that we had to sit through a musical. She did NOT want to see it! But, once it started and she got to see all the women and men talking and dancing and doing silly things, she loved it, as did the rest of the girls! It was so well done to give a taste of the climate and stories of Old Nauvoo and the times the Saints lived in as the events led up to their exodus.

We stopped outside the Nauvoo Temple on our way back to the hotel.
This is the only picture I got of the girls in front of the temple.

Stained-glass stars, star stones, sun stones, and moon stones.
Like I said, there's SO MUCH symbolism in this building, just on the outside!

View of Iowa and Mississippi River from the front of the temple. The statue in the left corner of the picture is of Joseph Smith Junior and Brigham Young.

Day 2: Carthage, drive to Nauvoo and the Family Living Center, Swimming

We stopped at Family Dollar to get me some medicine. The girls found some things to purchase.
Megan got a wallet and water bottle.

Nica got a water bottle, sunglasses, and a headband.

Miranda got a water bottle, sunglasses, and Zoë's old wallet.

Zoë got a water bottle and a new wallet.

Visitor's Center in Carthage.

Statue of Hyrum and Joseph Smith, Jr.

Nica was a little tired of tours. Or, maybe it was she didn't like
being "locked" in the holding room in the jail.

Megan and Nica sitting in THE window in the Carthage jail.

Miranda and Zoë listening to the presentation and recording of the last events of President Smith's last day.

Miranda took a picture of the window (she also got the stones under the window).

This was a little turnout point. The water from this spring was one of the causes of Nauvoo being all swampy. The Saints built a canal for the water to drain more directly to the river, drying up the peninsula the city was then built on.

Wandering down along the bank of the stream.

Miranda and Megan decided how to get across the water like Zoë did.

Zoë climbing down the rocks and across the waterfall.

Megan and Miranda trying not to get wet.

Up and Down at the waterfall.

Zoë recrossing the water at the base of the fall.

Nica watching her sisters climb around.

Zoë enjoying the view.

Megan at the base of the falls.

She went around the hillside, not down the rocks.

Megan and Mom in the upstairs room of the Red Brick Store,
where the Nauvoo Sister's Relief Society was organized and where they met.

Red Brick Store

At the Family Living Center we learned about pottery, rope making, bread baking, etc.

The girls watching the start of the demonstration of rope making.

Nica loved sitting in between her big sisters.

Zoë turned the big wheel to twist the ropes together.

Megan turned the smaller wheel to twist the ropes more.
Megan and Veronica helped make sure the twisting was tight and even with a little paddle (not seen).

Meeting Brother Rierie. He taught us about brick making the first day
and then taught us how to make rope the second day.

Twisting and turning the rope.

At Zion's Mercantile, Nica found these 'coon hats.

Should've used a flash....

By far, the highlight for Miranda was swimming. I let the girls swim each day we were at the hotel... even at 11pm at night when we got back from our first day at Nauvoo! (Yeah, I was crazy). They had so much fun in the water!

We finished our second day by 4pm and then headed back to the hotel and I let the girls swim for a few hours.

The last morning, we bought some new swimsuits (Miranda's was literally falling off her body!) and they spent another 40 minutes swimming before we checked out of the hotel.

Miranda listened to the music on my ipod for 4-1/2 hours on the drive home. Nica took a nap for a couple of those hours. Zoë, Megan, and I listened to an audiobook (Dragon Rider read by Brenden Frasier- it's AWESOME!) We made it home in about 4-3/4 hours from Burlington, IA, and we were all glad to be home. Nica came right into the house and started calling out for her dad. She kept waiting for him to show up the entire trip, and even missed him when we got home. She was much happier when he got home from work.

It was a great trip. I'm so glad we went! I look forward to going again- with more family and/or friends!