Last stop before home

The Smiths Homestead
Hyrum, Joseph, and Emma GravesideThe Mansion HouseThe meeting house above the Red Brick StoreThe saints used oster shells to make buttons for their clothesThis is what Jenna did whenever she saw the horses??Nauvoo we're here! We finally rolled into a real destination today around 2pm. We have had a great time here so far. We visited a few of the historic places in Joseph Smith's life. Everything is so spread out and Jenna didn't like getting in and out of the car so much. So we will look around more in the morning. It was interesting to find out that the Community of Christ owns some of the buildings. So you can't tour threw them on your own. In order to take a look inside you have to pay for a guided tour. After Joseph died Emma stayed behind and was a member of the reorganized LDS religion, now called the Community of Christ. So Emma's home, the Smith's old home, the red brick store and a few other buildings are owned by them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owns the rest and has free tours, presentations and carriage rides. We went to the south side first so we thought we weren't going to get to see much. Then they explained about the LDS owned buildings as well. So we did get to see a lot. Jenna loved petting the horses by the blacksmith shop.

Tonight we plan on one more outing. The "Sunset on the Mississippi" live production. We heard it is fabulous. There's a play and a little children's parade. I think Jenna will like that. Oh and hopefully she'll slow her life down for 1 second to see a fire fly!! Then in the morning we want to take the carriage ride around old Nauvoo and a few more houses on the property. Last on the way out we'll stop at Carthage Jail. Tomorrow is the 160th anniversary to the day of Joesph Smith's murder. We have been having a great time together and are so happy we decided to stop here on the way to a new step in our lives!!

P.S. Wendell or Nauvoo? I was sure it was Nauvoo, but you can still find a piece of home from far away! We ran into the Nebeker family from Wendell!! They are traveling even further than us, Maryland! Good luck it was fun seeing you!