You really ought to give Iowa a try…

“Oh, there’s nothing halfway about the Iowa way to treat you if we greet you, which we may not do at all…”  (Some lyrics from my favorite musical “The Music Man.”)

We stayed in a campground last night that is right on the border of Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. So, just for kicks, we drove to Missouri, about 2 miles away, just to get this picture and to say that we had been there.

Then we crossed the border from Missouri, back to Iowa just to cross another state border into Illinois and our final destination: Nauvoo.

  Our day in Nauvoo began with a tour through replicas of homes and businesses which were owned and operated by early members of the Church. The Nauvoo House,

then the Homestead (owned by Joseph and Emma Smith),

 

the Mansion House (also owned by Joseph and Emma Smith)

and finally the Red Brick Store. (All of these buildings are owned by the Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.)

Then it was off to Grandpa John’s cafe for some lunch…

and to the famous Fudge Factory for some dessert.

Next, we visited the Nauvoo temple, which was about half a block down the street.

  We asked Riley which Book of Mormon character was on the top of this temple (and many other temples throughout the world), His answer? President Obama! I guess we need to re-visit that FHE lesson.

All this excitement was too much for Aric and Carter, who ended up napping in the cozy, air-conditioned RV while Brayden, Riley and I forged through heat and humidity to visit…the Brick Yard,

the Blacksmith Shop,

where we each picked out our very own prairie diamond,

The Tinsmith Shop, where the boys learned how to build a mouse trap out of a few sticks and a pail,

The Gunsmith Shop and finally…

 

the Scovil Bakery, where we each got a freshly baked gingerbread man. Then, it was back to the campground for a campfire with hot dogs and s’mores. Today was a great day; we saw a lot and learned a lot and are a lot more grateful for the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

--Erin