Going back to Nauvoo has been on my wish list since 1972 . . .
there is such a lovely, peaceful, joyful feeling there. The Saints left their beautiful Nauvoo back in 1845 . . . what joy they must feel now as the temple as been rebuilt and Nauvoo has been restored as a historic monument to their hope, hard work, dedication, dreams, and their sacrifice.
We have many ancestors that lived in Nauvoo and helped build the temple there. . . the Rockwoods, Giffords, Clements, Elders, Stoddards, Hardy, Teeples, Rushtons, Hales and
Roundy were all there, contributing, raising their families, building a community from the swampy land near the Mississippi. I am so grateful for their faith, obedience, and courage.
The carriage and wagon rides were lots of fun for all of us. Grace, Ashton and Arianne are getting to know the horse that will be taking us out into the country to Inspiration Point. The whole area is so beautiful, lush and green ~ how the Saints must have loved it here!
Ethan and Megan ~ Joseph and Emma
The gardens are beautiful and well cared for.
This wonderful Women's Monument is a tribute to the important role women have in the world, influencing home, family and society.
We have many ancestors that lived in Nauvoo and helped build the temple there. . . the Rockwoods, Giffords, Clements, Elders, Stoddards, Hardy, Teeples, Rushtons, Hales andRoundy were all there, contributing, raising their families, building a community from the swampy land near the Mississippi. I am so grateful for their faith, obedience, and courage.
The carriage and wagon rides were lots of fun for all of us. Grace, Ashton and Arianne are getting to know the horse that will be taking us out into the country to Inspiration Point. The whole area is so beautiful, lush and green ~ how the Saints must have loved it here!
Ethan and Megan ~ Joseph and Emma
The gardens are beautiful and well cared for.
This wonderful Women's Monument is a tribute to the important role women have in the world, influencing home, family and society.
Gracie . . . on her way to becoming . . .
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The Family Living Center was one of our favorite places. Here, the Senior missionaries demonstrate how the pioneers made bread, spun wool, wove their cloth, made pottery, ropes, rugs and other necessities.
The Smith family cemetery - gave us time to contemplate and give thanks for a living prophet, for his loving family and all they sacrificed in the restoration of the gospel.
The Trail of Hope - - - I imagined this as a place where many tears were shed as the Saints looked back at their beloved city, yet they went forward with faith and hope across the icy river and on westward. The trail down Parleys Street to the Mississippi River, is marked with plaques containing journal and letter entries from the Saints as they left. They were insightful and poignant. "My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor, and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart . . . I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future, faced it with faith in God . . ." Bathsheba Smith
Ethan, Megan, Ashton, Jessie, Grace, Cory & Hunter on the Trail of Hope
Ashton, Cory, Brittany & Hunter
Another favorite place was Pioneer Pastimes, especially created for children~
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The Family Living Center was one of our favorite places. Here, the Senior missionaries demonstrate how the pioneers made bread, spun wool, wove their cloth, made pottery, ropes, rugs and other necessities.
The Smith family cemetery - gave us time to contemplate and give thanks for a living prophet, for his loving family and all they sacrificed in the restoration of the gospel. 
The Trail of Hope - - - I imagined this as a place where many tears were shed as the Saints looked back at their beloved city, yet they went forward with faith and hope across the icy river and on westward. The trail down Parleys Street to the Mississippi River, is marked with plaques containing journal and letter entries from the Saints as they left. They were insightful and poignant. "My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor, and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart . . . I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future, faced it with faith in God . . ." Bathsheba Smith 
Ethan, Megan, Ashton, Jessie, Grace, Cory & Hunter on the Trail of Hope
Ashton, Cory, Brittany & HunterGrace, Jessie, Cori and Grant
Arianne
Sandy & Ray ~ on the banks of the Mississippi
Another favorite place was Pioneer Pastimes, especially created for children~ well, yes, children of all ages! Grace & Cori
Grace, Hunter and Ashton trying out a wooden cradle
Grace and Ashton ~galloping away
Megan ~ demonstrating the Hoop Roll
A pioneer family ~ Brittany, Hunter, Ashton & Cory
Touring the restored homes and shops, we learned much about how things
Grace, Hunter and Ashton trying out a wooden cradle
Grace and Ashton ~galloping away
Megan ~ demonstrating the Hoop Roll
A pioneer family ~ Brittany, Hunter, Ashton & Cory
Touring the restored homes and shops, we learned much about how things were made and how skilled the artisans were. This was a tinsmith shop.
Upstairs in Joseph and Emma's Red Brick store, the Relief Society was first organized.
Upstairs in Joseph and Emma's Red Brick store, the Relief Society was first organized. Arianne, Sandy and Brittany
The lovely Baywater home, where we stayed in Nauvoo.
The lovely Baywater home, where we stayed in Nauvoo.
