Prime Adventures After Florida : Nauvoo, Illinois

Day 7: July 6, 2012

O'Fallon, Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

176 Miles

We passed back into Illinois. This time to spend more than a few mile or minutes.

We passed rows and rows of corn.

We first stopped at Carthage Jail before heading to Nauvoo. We were amazed by the the strong Spirit that was there. We learned of Joseph Smith's martyrdom. It was testified to us that he knew his time on Earth was coming to an end. It was so neat to be in the same room that the prophet was in so long ago.

This was the outside of the jail.

The jailer lived downstairs while the jail and other sleeping room were upstairs.

This would have been a stove like the one used to heat the jail.

Just different shots of the cell.

This is the room where Joseph Smith was on his last day on Earth, when the mob came through.

This is a bullet hole in the door from the mobs.

This is the window where Joseph was shot and fell through.

The grounds were so beautiful with blooming flowers, statues and plaques.

It was very neat to be in the same place that Joseph Smith was. I know the kids also felt the Spirit.

Then we started noticing water towers. Lots of them. So here is the start of our water tower collection!

We went on to Nauvoo. If you ask the kids what our favorite part of our trip home was, they all say Nauvoo. I am so thankful that we were able to go. It taught us a lot, helped us to appreciate where we came from, the sacrifices the pioneers made, and what it means to be a Mormon.

We noticed these beautiful yellow flowers on the river. We later learned that they are called American Lotus.

This was our first glimpse of the Nauvoo Temple on the hill.

We made it in time to see a performance by the missionaries called, "High Hopes and Riverboats." It was wonderfully done and taught a lot about the history of Nauvoo and some of the feelings of the people then. The kids all sat with eyes glued.

We spent some time in the beautiful visitor center.

We have to say that it was HOT when we were in Nauvoo. Here's proof! We were glad to spend some time in doors at the visitor's center.

Our hotel room was nice. I just had to laugh when I saw this arrangement. A new TV and an antique alarm clock!

The beds were covered with cozy quilts.

The phone was kind of antique too!

We had tickets for Sunset by the Mississippi, which was outdoors, in the sun and heat.

It was 107 degrees at 8:00 p.m.! We all had sweat pouring down our faces and backs. We drank tons of water just sitting there.

The girls decorated hats for their parade.

Kara proudly wearing her hat.

Ashleigh and her hat.

Janiel was a good sport to go marching with the girls.

It kind of warms your heart to see all these missionaries singing and dancing. What a spirit they bring as they perform. We learned that the young performers try out and are called on a four month mission. We loved watching them perform.