McAllister Hearland Tour: Day 8 - Nauvoo

Nauvoo was the destination for today's memory making. The plan was to have everyone meet at the Nauview House around 9:30 am and go from there. Amber and I took advantage of the laundry facilities at the house to get one last load washed before heading back to Utah the following morning.

Each family gradually left for Nauvoo through out the morning. Although Montrose is right across the river from Nauvoo the closest bridge was a 30 minute drive up or down stream. With the north route through Ft. Madison, Iowa requiring a toll to cross that bridge the only true option was to travel south and cross at Keokuk.

We arrived at the Nauvoo Visitors' Center just before noon while the other families were finishing up a movie about the life of the prophet Joseph Smith. Following the movie everyone gathered for a carriage ride through the northern section of Nauvoo. The ride takes you past the well where King Follet died and loops around to a place called Inspiration Point where the river cuts across the northern border of the city.

For lunch we all grabbed some barbecue sandwiches from a local grocer and picnicked at the Nauvoo State Park. Amber and I ate quickly as we tried to make a 2pm session at the temple. By the time we drove up to the Joseph Smith Academy (across the street from the temple) to change clothes and then over to a public parking lot and then walked the half block to the temple doors I was dripping with sweat and a little frustrated that it was 2:05 when we walked in. Needless to say we missed the session but were still able to enjoy the day.

We rejoined the rest of the group at the Family Learning Center, which is an outdoor activity center that teaches games and entertainment from the 1840s. The golden discovery was finding the new indoor learning facility equipped with two large air conditioners.

After learning about candle and barrel making we drove up to the temple to get a few pictures before heading back across to the Iowa side of the river.

The day was capped by Ugo blessing the Perego's newest addition: Sarah Anita Perego. In the living room of the Nauview House, wrapped in the scenic views of the river and historic Nauvoo, Ugo pronounced a beautiful blessing upon his first daughter.

Following the blessing dessert was had and good-byes were said before heading back to the cabin to pack.