Family Trip to Historic Nauvoo, Illinois

March 15-19, 2011 We had a lot of fun on our trip to Nauvoo! It takes about 7 hours to drive there. Unfortunately the kids were sick. We actually had to take Isabelle to the dr. on the way to Nauvoo. Since we were out of town, we had to go to the ER in order for our insurance to cover it. Wendell's dr in Manhattan had diagnosed him with pink eye the day before, so (in the ER)they did the same for Isabelle. So the whole trip we had to give her eye ointment. (That's why her eyes look shiny in some pictures.) _________________________________________________________________ Isabelle always reminds us to give people pass along cards. She gave the doctor one herself. Wonderfully, the doctor happily accepted the card and said her husband's coworker is Mormon and they are starting to look into the church. :) That made the ER stop a little more rewarding. Isabelle is an amazing missionary. We finally got out of the ER and on to funner things. The kids were in good spirits despite being sick. _________________________________________________________________ I just finished captioning the pictures. I didn't write much because it's taken so long to do this much. It's late and my back is absolutely killing me. Richard is still on ICU at the Vet Hospital. He gets off at midnight at the earliest. Oh, ha, that's in 20 minutes. Dear me! Well, anyway, at least I finally got the Nauvoo entry done! I guess since there are so many pics, you'll be glad I'm not lengthening it any more than it already is. Good night. _________________________________________________________________ Our Hotel:
______________________________________________________________________ Nauvoo Visitors' Center and "Monument to Women" Gardens: "Baby Sister":
Nauvoo Temple:

Swimming was a favorite of course:

Wagon Ride Tour:

Mississippi River (as seen from the wagon):

Various Sites:

Making rope in the Family Living Center:

One of my favorite parts- Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store (see additional pictures in previous blog):

Smith Family Cemetary:

Making friends with the Prophet Joseph:

Delicious Dining! All-you-can-eat-Amazingness:

At the hotel:

Original Sunstone from the Nauvoo Temple. In amazing condition.

View of the temple from the Trail of Hope. This is what the Pioneers could see as they left it all behind, choosing to leave the persecution and settle in a peaceful place. The Trail of Hope was a very moving experience for me. Another of my favorite parts of the Nauvoo experience.

Along the trail, there are signs taken from journal entries from pioneers. Very powerful.

Carthage Jail (where the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were martyred) was about a 20 minute drive from Nauvoo.

Senior sister missionaries gave us a tour.

The window Joseph Smith lept from when he was being fired at by the mob.

Bullet holes visible in the door the mob shot.

Driving home working on puzzles on cookie sheets.

I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and the early Mormon Pioneers. What a privilege it is to come from faithful ancestors. I know the Lord restored his church in these latter-days through a prophet and that he continues to guide His church through a living prophet today. The Lord lives and He directs his people! Visiting Nauvoo was a wonderful experience; we encourage you to visit if you haven't yet.