Stop #4 Nauvoo

We drove all day Sunday, and got into the Nauvoo area early that evening. The kids swam in the pool and we ordered pizza and went to bed early, so we would have plenty of energy for sightseeing in Nauvoo.

The first thing we did was get tickets for the wagon ride through the country and then headed over to the temple visitors center. The kids watched a movie about the rebuilding of the temple and then played for a bit in their playroom. (Tee especially loved the pioneer clothes!)

We then headed down by the Mississippi River for an Oxen ride. The girls were a little nervous to get on the wagon, so we watched as the boys and Tyler went for a ride. When they got back, Duce told me all he learned: that oxen were the preferred animal used by the pioneers because
1. you could buy three oxen for one horse

2. the moved slower, so it was easier to walk next to them (the wagons were used for their possessions...if someone were to ride in the wagon, then they would have to leave behind a necessary item)

3. they were stronger and could pull more stuff

4. the indians preferred to steal horses, not oxen

5. if they died, they could eat their meat

We had talked to the kids about how hard it was for the pioneers to cross the big Mississippi River, that there weren't bridges like there are today. Well, when it was time for our Wagon ride, Josie began to panic. She was convinced that we were going to cross the river with the horses and wagon. She kept a death grip on my hand the whole time.

Tee wanted to stay and pet the horses the whole time. He made himself "horse" by saying "horse" nonstop!

We drove past the Smith Family cemetery where Joseph and Hyrum are buried, along with other members of the Smith family. Because we have so many small kids, we didn't get to do all there is to do in Nauvoo. And seeing the width of the river and hearing the stories of crossings...again....it gave me a greater understanding of the massive sacrifices the early saints had to make. And seeing the beauty of the temple and learning about its construction....this really is the Lord's church!