Ryan and I decided that this year we must really be growing up since our Spring Break wasn't nearly as extravagant as our last two. I had to work and he is super busy right now with school and preparing for his annual review so we stayed pretty close to home. We decided to go to Nauvoo for the weekend because I have never been, we wanted to go to the temple, and it was only a 5 hour drive.
We left Madison on Thursday morning and drove straight to the temple. I LOVE that temple! It just has this amazing spirit about it. After the temple we went to dinner and then walked the Trail of Hope. The Trail of Hope is the path the Saints took out of Nauvoo down to the Mississippi River. It has signs lining the path with quotes from journals about how the saints felt as they were leaving.
 |
| This quote is by one of Ryan's ancestors. |
Friday morning we toured the Smith Family properties (Mansion House, Homestead, and the Red Brick Store). Then we headed to Carthage. Besides the temple this was my favorite part of the trip. The spirit was so strong as we sat in the room where Joseph Smith was shot and listened to an audio tape of the experience. Carthage Jail truly is sacred ground.
 |
| The upper window is the one Joseph Smith fell out of after he had been shot. |
Instead of heading directly back to Nauvoo we crossed the Mississippi to see the view the saints would have had as they were leaving Nauvoo. It was heartbreaking to see their beautiful temple sitting on the hill knowing they had to leave it behind.
When we got back to Nauvoo we went through some of the homes and shops that the senior missionaries work at that are supposed to give you a glimpse into what life was like in Old Nauvoo. That night we went to the musical the senior missionaries perform which is also supposed to reflect the everyday life of the saints in Nauvoo.
Saturday morning we went to the Land and Records Office and looked up to see if any of our ancestors lived in Nauvoo. All you had to do was type in a name and the program would pull up a file that had all the information that mentioned that person like books, journals, temple records, etc. We had quite a few who lived there. Some of them owned land and others were endowed in the Nauvoo temple. One couple was endowed the day after the majority of the saints left Nauvoo. It was really neat to get all that information.
 |
| Ryan at one of his ancestor's plots of land. |
After that we went on the carriage ride to Inspiration Point and then headed home. It was a short trip but we had a good time and I'm glad we went.
 |
| This a just a random sign we found that is too hilarious not to post if you have heard the "Red Solo Cup" song. I think what makes it even funnier is that this if for a Yacht club and one of the activities listed is a butt dart contest. Only in Iowa! |
