A few final pictures of our lovely weekend.
But first, a question.
What is more exciting: Nauvoo or Nintendo DS?
Answer:
Despite the age difference, these two were great pals. It helps that they have the exact same interests. Luke was so, so wonderful about playing with his little cousin. What a great kid.
Towards the end of our second day's visit in Nauvoo, we went to the end of Parley Street and looked out at the Mississippi River.
The journey down Parley Street is also known as the Trail of Tears which is also known as the Trail of Hope. This is the route the Mormons took when they evacuated Nauvoo. They left in the winter of 1845-46. As they fled, they would have looked out across the River to an unknown future in the West. But hopeful that they would be able to finally find a place where they could practice their religion without persecution (hence, "The Trail of Hope").
This is near the end of Parley Street. When they left, the Mormons were leaving behind their homes and most of their belongings. After years of moving, fleeing persecution, the early Latter-day Saints of Nauvoo believed they had found a permanent home in Illinois. Many families had built lovely brick homes and finally found some measure of comfort and stability. But those families abandoned their brick homes just months after they were completed. This broke my heart. I couldn't help but think about how much we love our home here in Madison--and we love it even more for the (relative) lack of stability we had before. I couldn't help but think how heartbreaking it would be to leave our home, the home we've worked so hard for, and, most of all, to lose the peace we have found here. They no longer had peace. So with faith and hope, these early Mormons crossed the Mississippi for the long journey West.
They would have turned and seen the temple behind them. And once they crossed the River, they would have looked back across the water and seen the temple up on the bluff. The Mississippi must have felt bigger than an ocean. They would have been sad (hence, the "Trail of Tears").
You can just see the temple behind the trees.
When they first began crossing the river, they had to put their wagons on a contraption like this one.
As you can imagine, out on the choppy waters, more than a few wagons were lost. To leave everything but a few provisions for the journey...and then lose those provisions. Ugh. Fortunately, the river finally froze over, and the remainder of the refugees were able to walk across the ice to the makeshift camps that lay on the other side.
(I think I'm making it sound like a depressing place to visit. But it's not. Because it has a has a happy ending: Our family. And many others.)
Speaking of our family: Let's see what they were up to down there on the banks of the Mississippi.
David and Luke had a grand time playing together.
Meanwhile, Eliza made Mary a baby carrier. Very resourceful.
And that was that.
Of course, the fun didn't end in Nauvoo. Perhaps the grown-ups would have liked to visit the plots of land where our ancestors lived or peruse the exhibits in the visitor's center, but the kids had declared it was time for something more important: Swimming.
So we drove back to exciting Keokuk.
In case you're wondering, this is what the Mississippi looks like in those parts.
In a few places you can just barely see the temple on a far off bluff.
Can you see it now?
What a remarkable sight. There's nothing like it around. (It must have been even more remarkable in 1845. This was practically the frontier.)
Then it was on to the most important business of all:
Then later, after going out for pizza, we met together for one last cousin play date.
The next morning we all arose early to say our farewells, and then we were off in our different directions.
The weekend was a grand success. I was inspired by the legacy of faith we have inherited. I also loved the warmth and dedication of the many missionaries who volunteered to leave their homes (and grandchildren!) for a time in order to serve the Lord and strengthen the faith of others. Best of all was being together with family. What a joy to watch the children play together. It is quite likely these cousins will leave near each other one day, so it watching them establishing friendships was a happy sight. I am also so grateful for the chance to catch up with Leslie. She is a great example to me and a close friend--spending time with her was good for my heart.
I owe a big thanks to Greg, who kindly adjusted his study schedule to accommodate this little trip. And, as always, he was my very most favorite traveling companion.
This concludes my warm thoughts of Nauvoo.
Almost:
P.S. Though Chris and Leslie and kids did, we didn't make it to Carthage Jail. But we did visit Carthage Jail two years ago. Pictures of Carthage Jail as well as our previous visit to Nauvoo are in this post.
P.P.S. Once one of the missionaries asked us, "What brings you to Nauvoo?" David responded, "Nauvoo!" Very apt, I thought.
P.P.P.S. Did I mention I'm tired of this cold weather? Spring is very mean this year.
P.P.P.P.S. Did I mention Mary cut my mom's hair?
P.P.P.P.P.S. Are you glad I'm finally finished posting about Nauvoo? It would probably do me good to forget my camera once in a while on a trip...but how I treasure the pictures--and the memories that accompany them!
