Country Roads

Despite all my best intentions to blog as I went, here it is, a week later, and I'm finally getting to blogging. Oh well. At least it's not like YEARS later or something! So, to warn you, this might be a little long because I fully intend to blog about everything from the last week!

Day 1: June 15, 2009: A Marathon Drive

The thing about road trips, especially long ones, is that no matter how well prepared you are, it's always a long drive. I think I almost died of boredom!

You can have all sorts of books, conversation, and activities to keep yourself occupied, but the drive still seems to just drag on and on . . . at least until super cool lightning starts to light up the sky! Apparently, we made it through the tornado zone in the midwest right before the tornadoes hit the next week. While that was a little scary, I did get some great video clips of lightning to show during my electricity unit next year!

Day 2: June 16, 2009: Mud Puddles and Cows

After a night in Island Park, Nebraska, we began to ease on down, ease on down the road once again. One thing about country roads is they are surrounded by cows. Every time we passed a field with cows in it, I wondered if Nebraska cows, Illinois cows, or Missouri cows were as happy as California cows. So, here's a little game for you. Identify the emotional state of the cows. For bonus points, identify which state (physical location) each herd of cows resides in.

Cow Portrait #1
Cow Portrait #2
Cow Portrait #3

We took a little break at Winter Quarters on the way. The temple is beautiful, of course, and someday I'd like to do a session there.

I just love the stained glass windows there, and the grounds are pretty awesome as well. I totally pulled a Jon (or maybe it was a Sage!) and took a picture of the flowers. I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out! Of course, I might be a little biased!

They have all sorts of statues and things telling about the early saints who stayed there. The temple itself is actually located right by the old cemetery.

Inside the visitor's center, we got to watch a short video about the saints who came through Winter Quarters. One of the quotes that stuck with me the most was by a gentleman that said, "We only crossed one mud puddle today. It was 6 miles long." I suppose at that moment I wondered how often in my life I complain about the small mud puddles I have to cross when these saints gave up everything they had to head into an unknown wilderness with mud puddles that were "only" 6 miles long. I have so much respect for the early pioneers. They rock. I don't think I could have done what they did, knowing what the outcome was, let alone walking into it completely on faith. But maybe I'll remember that my mud puddles are pretty small in comparison to theirs, and remember how blessed I am to live in the time and place I do.

Day 3: June 17, 2009: Carthage and Nauvoo

This whole trip was a very enlightening one for me in more ways than one. The first day, I was "enlightened" by lightning, and learned what sheet lightning is first-hand. Day 2 was muddy enlightenment. But day 3 was pure spiritual enlightenment. I loved being able to go to Carthage and Nauvoo--especially the Nauvoo temple. The whole day was an experience unlike any other. Maybe I'll even get to go back someday.

The day started with a trip to Carthage Jail. I loved how the first thing you see as you approach the visitor's center is a display outlining the First Vision. It really brings into perspective the fact that Joseph and Hyrum were killed just because they couldn't deny the truthfulness of the gospel.There was a pretty big group ahead of us with a lot of little kids, so we opted out of the first tour. It actually worked out really well because when we came back from our detour to the city museum across the street, we were the only two in the tour. It was pretty neat! The sister missionary who took us through the jail told us all sorts of cool stories about the experiences the Prophet had there. And then, in the upper room, we listened to a recording of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." The combination of the song and the location made me a little teary-eyed, I must confess! It was a powerful moment, another one I am sure to remember for a long time.

Even now, as I think back on the trip, I keep coming back to the verse in the Doctrine and Covenants 135 that says, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."

Nauvoo itself was pretty impressive. I'm really grateful we decided to spend two days in Nauvoo, instead of just one. I have to say, I totally understand now why the Mississippi River is called the "Mighty Mississip'!"

We toured the city a bit, and were able to go do a temple session in the Nauvoo temple that night. I have to say, it was amazing. I can't even describe how cool it was to be in the Nauvoo temple. Don't get me wrong--being in any temple is awesome. But, I've always been more intrigued by temples with a history. Sitting there, knowing what sacrifices the pioneers made to recieve their temple ordinances was powerful. Add that to the fact that the temple itself is incredibly beautiful, and that the church restored it to it's original design was an experience unlike any other. I would definitely go back to the Nauvoo temple, no question.


Day 4: June 18, 2009: Springfield

Originally we just planned on going to see Lincoln's tomb when we went to Springfield. We didn't want to pay the cost to go to the museum. But after hearing about how great the museum was from the sister missionary at Carthage and the guy at the city museum across the street the day before, we decided to go for it. I am SOOOO glad we did. It was freaking awesome, and that is definitely not giving the museum the credit it deserves! I could go through and describe it more in detail, but it wouldn't do justice for the awesomeness that is this museum. I'm a fan of museums. I'm a fan of Lincoln. But I'm a super fan of Lincoln's Presidential Museum!! I didn't take many photos, but I did manage to get one of the Lincoln family replicas in the lobby. It was kind of creepy to be by them, but creepy in a cool way. In fact, I think in some ways it merely prepared me for the creepiness that will be the wax museum in New York! My favorite part about the museum was that it wasn't just a display of stuff Lincoln may or may not have once touched. Every room had dialogue and music playing, outlining the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln. It went into great detail about the Civil War, including an amazingly intriguing video called "The Civil War in 4 Minutes." In short, it rocked. The museum was the highlight of the day for me. I was impressed with the great and spacious building that is Lincoln's tomb and grossed out by the fact that someone once stole his remains to hold them for ransom. But I was in awe of this museum. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

The creepy Lincoln family replicas preparing me for the New York wax museum.

However, I rather appreciated the humor of Melanie telling me that we can't say that Lincoln is six feet under. He is literally ten feet below the memorial, covered in cement. I think it's safe to say that no one will be holding his remains for ransom any time soon!

The Great and Spacious Building that is Lincoln's Tomb

The only down side of the day is the Walmart in Springfield is kind of dumb. They have a quote by Lincoln outside the building, but they don't even have a postcard of him inside! Sheesh.


Day 5: June 19, 2009: "Oh My Gosh!"

After an awesome day trip to Springfield, we hit the road, Jack, once again to head to the sticks. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. And yet, it was the purpose of the trip--to go to the middle of nowhere! We got into the little town where Holly was getting married, and the moment of truth rapidly approached. Apparently, she wasn't quite ready for visitors, so Tim took us across the street to the reception place to meet some people. We met his parents, several friends, and Holly's older sister. They were all in awe that we had actually driven all the way from Utah, just for Holly. The rest of the day was filled with introductions preceded by, "So YOU two are the ones who drove all the way from Utah!" I've already posted the video of Holly's reaction, and I get a kick out of watching it over and over again! I think my favorite part was when Holly finally realized that Tim, Melanie, and I hadn't been completly honest with her for the past few weeks! We were convinced by many to attend the reception dinner, so after visiting with Holly for a few minutes, we became power-shoppers in search for appropriate outfits for a reception dinner we hadn't been planning on. And the best part was that both of us were successful--new outfits, including shoes in 30 minutes.

The reception dinner was also highly entertaining, as we sat next to Tim's dad and had is accent rub off on both of us! There was an open bar there, and although both Melanie and I polietly declined, Tim's dad said, "I won't tell anyone!" No harassing, just good-natured joking. That's pretty much how the entire evening went. Everyone there just welcomed us with open arms, like we were just part of the family. It was really nice. And I'm hoping attendance at the reception dinner and wedding will win me brownie points with Holly next year.

Day 6: June 20, 2009: Hmmm . . . Interesting!
Let's just say that Esther has led a very sheltered life and had never gone to a non-Mormon wedding before. It was very interesting, with a lot of, what I would call it, unnecessary ceremonial garbage. Don't get me wrong--it was all very nice (except for the horrible rendition of a Rascal Flatts song performed live by some guy . . . ) but it was a lot of things that didn't really seem necessary to get the job done. Add that to the fact that the ceremony was ended with "till death do you part . . . ." Let's just say that I think temple weddings are the way to go!

On the way back to Keokuk, we took the scenic route--by way of the Arch in Missouri. Now I just need to go back and actually stop there so I can get my National Park book stamped! It's pretty impressive from the freeway, though!

And, the sunsets in the East have always been an awesome site for me. Maybe I'm just a little biased due to where I served my mission. South Carolina has the best sunrises and sunsets. But, the sunsets we encountered were pretty impressive, even if they weren't up to South Carolina standard!

Day 7: June 21, 2009: A Pioneering Sabbath

We were lucky enough to be able to spend Sunday in Nauvoo. I don't think I've ever had quite a "reverent" Sunday before. It was so great to be able to spend the entire day in a city devoted to teaching the gospel. Sure, you had the regular borderline false doctrine in Sunday School as we talked about the Word of Wisdom, but after church, we were able to walk around old Nauvoo. We took President Hinckley's advice and took a stroll down Parley Street. Ever since he talked about that during conference one year, it's been one of my goals to walk along the Trail of Hope. And let me tell you--it was worth it. Reading about the experiences of the pioneers as they left their homes was humbling. One sister had said that she put the broom back in it's place in the corner before leaving her home forever. And looking back at the temple from the road--I can't even imagine what heartache the saints experienced as they realized they were leaving their homes and the temple they had struggled to build for so long.

The Nauvoo Temple from the Trail of Hope.

Looking across the Mississippi from the end of Parley Street.
I can't imagine knowing that the bleak view ahead was what I was heading for and knowing the view behind me held my home and the temple.

I know that the trip was essentially for Holly's wedding, but I have to confess that being in Nauvoo was the best part for me. It was an experience unlike any other. Nauvoo truly is the "City Beautiful" for more reasons than initially meet the eye.


Day 8: June 22, 2009: On the Road Again

Fortunately the drive back wasn't quite as "fun-filled" as the way out to Illinois--at least as far as crazy thunderstorms go! We stopped by Adam-ondi-ohman on our way to the hotel in Nebraska. I just have to say that the folks who visit church history sites are a very friendly sort! We got lots of smiles and hellos there from the other visitors. You've got to love that you can have a "worldwide church" and yet still have the feel of a small town congregation anywhere you go!

The drive back was pretty uneventful, with a few stops for photo ops. Melanie got pretty good at knowing when I'd like to stop and take a picture of something quirky, even without me saying anything!

I still love reading the signs outside different churches. They usually bring a smile--if not an outright laugh!

Day 9: June 23, 2009: Home, Home on the Range

For as enjoyable as the road trip was, it's always nice to come home. Yes, the sunsets in the East are beautiful.

But, maybe the Utah ones aren't so bad after all!


Besides, being able to bring this little one a cute pioneer bonnet and go to a parade with cute kids makes home a pretty great place to be!


Maybe this is a little cheesy, but looking at this picture just made me think about what freedom means to me. After the trip to Nauvoo and the other church history sites and the enlightenment I had there, it seems fitting that Brina is wearing a pioneer bonnet and holding an American flag. To me, freedom is knowing that where you came from paved the way for where you will be going. We live in a country where our rights have not always been easy to gain, but the freedoms we have now are all thanks to the people who came before and the sacrifices they made. And analyzing the picture a little more . . . . she's got the past on her mind, the present at hand, and the look towards the future.