This year we decided to take a trip back to Old Nauvoo. We were gone 11 days and had a very fun time. We could have stayed longer in Nauvoo; there is so much to do there. Brad's parents came along for the ride, and we were glad to have them. Synopsis: We traveled to Denver where we saw the Denver temple, Denver Mint and took a tour of the Capitol building where we got to climb up into the dome. While driving through Kansas we stopped and took a ride on a carousel that was over 100 years old. We stayed in Independence, Missouri. While there we visited with Ann's first mission companion and her husband. We visited the Independence Visitor's Center and took a tour of the Community of Christ Temple. We also talked with one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Christ. Our travels took us to Liberty Jail, Far West and Adam-ondi-ahman. We were able to drive to St. Louis to see the St. Louis temple and the Gateway Arch. The tram ride to the top was certainly an interesting experience. We wish we had had more time there to go through the museum. We wanted to take a helicopter ride and a boat ride on the Mississippi, but because of the flooding those things were unavailable. We drove up the Mississippi to Hannibal where we enjoyed all things Mark Twain. We ended the day by reaching Nauvoo and taking in an evening show. In the morning Joshua and Valesca were able to go and participate in Baptisms at the Temple. I was able to go with them and they put me to work in the baptistry while Brad and his dad went on a session. What a wonderful experience it was to be in that special temple. We went to the Land and Records Office and found where our ancestors owned land in Nauvoo and nearby towns. It was special to be able to walk or drive by the places that Orson Pratt, George Cannon and Edmond Durfee once owned. Our kids enjoyed learning how to make rope, pottery, bread, weave rugs and make barrels. We learned that Joseph Smith Sr. and Hyrum were both makers of barrels. A few more shows were in the schedule and the kids just loved them! I was able to go with Brad's mom to a session at the temple. We traveled to Carthage and learned about the martyrdom. We were able to visit the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds and found the headstone of Edmond Durfee. Once again the kids enjoyed seeing how the Blacksmith, Brick maker and Baker worked. We also visited the Printing Shop, Post Office and Brick makers. A trip to the Smith Family Cemetery and to Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store were nice. I actually enjoyed touring the Brigham Young home and was touched that I could stand in the same room that my Great, great, great Grandfather stood when he visited that home as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As we left Nauvoo we walked along the Trail of Hope. We traveled across Iowa and stopped to see the Kanesville Tabernacle and then on to Winter Quarters where we toured the visitors center and saw the temple. It was fun to see a replica of the very first Odometer that our ancestor had invented. On the way back to Utah we stopped at the Pony Express station. We stayed in Cheyenne and went to a wonderful program with fireworks and a concert by the symphony orchestra. We just couldn't end our trip without stopping at Little America for 50 cent ice cream cones. The kids each made a top ten list of the things that they liked most on the trip.
Joshua
1. Nauvoo plays 2. Fireworks 3. St. Louis Arch 4. Denver Mint 5. Capitols 6. Temples
7. Baptisms for the dead 8. Wagon rides 9. Meeting Mom's companion 10. Family grave sites in Nauvoo
Elijah
1. Carousel 2. Eating ice cream
Noah
1. Denver Capitol building 2. Denver mint 3. Pioneer crafts 4. Fireworks 5. Nauvoo temple
6. Catching fireflies 7. St. Louis Arch 8. Pony Express station 9. Winter Quarters 10. Swimming
Valesca
1. Pioneer shows 2. Denver mint 3. Inside Nauvoo temple 4. Nauvoo sites 5. St. Louis Arch
6. Visiting temples 7. Fireflies 8. 4th of July celebration 9. Spending time with Kathy (mom's companion) 10. Eating dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo
