Journeyed from our home in Rochester, Minnesota to the quiet town of Nauvoo, Illinois. Torrential rainfall prevented any sort of encampment tonight. Instead, we sought lodging at the Nauvoo Family Inn for the night. Cooked dinner under an overhang in the parking lot. Quite discouraged as our trip began. Today's travel: 292 miles.
Day 2
Arose early and attended a session in the beautiful Nauvoo temple. After the session, I returned to my family and we scouted out the area for an appropriate camp site. Chose a site near the mighty river. While the area was beautiful, the bugs from the riverbeds threatened us on all sides.
Set up camp quickly and then headed into the streets of Nauvoo. Spent the day visiting historic homes and businesses, playing in the family living center, and
simply walking the streets of town.
Of especial significance was the home of Patty Sessions, father's ancestor in his grandmother's line.
The day was both full and uneventful. Turned into bed early to avoid over-exposure to the host of pests.
Day 3
Father awoke early and attended a Nauvoo temple session this morning. Upon his return, we feasted upon a hearty breakfast and packed up for the long journey ahead. Once our belongings were secured, we enjoyed a carriage ride through the streets of the city and reminisced about many of the saints who had gone before. Father and I most enjoyed the peaceful ride. The children most enjoyed the beautiful horses.
Following the carriage ride, we made the short journey over to the city of Carthage to the historic Carthage Jail. Here we honored the Prophet and his Faithful Brother with our tears.
Then, before leaving the City of Joseph, we went to the temple mount and looked out upon the beauty of the city. Heaven only knows when we will be back to this holy land, to this magnificent temple. We paused to consider our many memories in this place, and the many memories of others who lived and died and now lay buried under the sacred soil of this fertile landscape. We took photos by the glorious edifice.
Our hearts were full as we drove down Parley Street for the last time and made our way across the great Mississippi River. The remainder of the day we journeyed west towards Council Bluffs, Iowa. Today's Travels: approximately 335 miles.
Day 4
Awoke this morning to a blustery wind coming in off of Lake Manawa. Broke camp quickly while the children tried to stay warm. Took breakfast in town at a park near the tabernacle.
Arrived at the tabernacle by late morning. Toured the building where Brigham Young and First Presidency were sustained.
Children explored pioneer artifacts.
Father asked to accompany our singing on a 100 year old organ.
After two hours in the Old Kainsville/Council Bluffs area, we made our way over to the Winter Quarters Visitor's Center via the old Mormon Bridge. The children loved dressing up inside and playing all sorts of pioneer children games.
Afterward, we admired the sacred Winter Quarters temple for some time.
Also stopped in the cemetery to view the famous bronze statue: Tragedy of Winter Quarters. The statue portrays the agony of pioneer parents buffeted by wind as they pause over the open grave of their infant. Emma was so concerned over the little baby lying in the stone coffin. The mood was solemn. Appropriate for the destination.
Rest of the day spent journeying west.
Eventually nightfall prevented any further travel today. Since no suitable place for camp was located, we simply set up our tent just off the trail. While slightly frightening, the location proved to be a cost efficient choice--free. Today's travels: approximately 456 miles.
Day 5
Awoke this morning with the sunrise. Ate muffins from a previous morning and quickly broke camp. On the road again by 7:00am.
As we journeyed on, our eyes met a magnificent column of clay and sandstone that rose from the prairie floor and resembled the chimney of a great factory. We concluded that the rock formation must surely be the famous Chimney Rock, halfway point from Council Bluffs to the Great Salt Lake Valley. It signals the near end of the great American dessert. Previous journal entries imply that once one has passed Chimney Rock, the peaks of Scottsbluff are close at hand, and soon the landscape will give way to the more mountainous and difficult part of the journey west.
After a brief stop, we turned somewhat north and headed toward the famous mountain "Halfway House"--Fort Laramie. Nearly all Mormon pioneers on their way to Utah passed by this fort. The children climbed a giant tree here and investigated the ruins of many old buildings.
Shortly after leaving the fort, we stopped to examine the famous Guernsey ruts. These wagon ruts are some of the most dramatic of any trail in the world. They are cut waist and shoulder deep through the soft limestone of the country. These ruts were made by several of our forerunners including those wagons of the California, Oregon, and Mormon pioneer wagon trains.
Many have carved their names or messages in the limestone rock as well. Emma made a small H to represent our family before we left the site.
Later we stopped for lunch at an unusual rock formation. The stones form a natural bridge. It is said to be the only natural bridge in the United States with a stream running underneath it.
Father and the children hiked to the top to survey the countryside.
Everyone enjoyed the respite from travel.
After lunch, we gathered our supplies and prepared to continue our journey in an westerly direction. However, we soon discovered a broken wagon wheel..er..flat tire, which prevented us from a timely departure. We made the necessary repairs and recommenced our travels.
Arrived at Independence Rock in the late afternoon. The heat was great as we scoured the rock for the ancestral signature found thereon. Perrigrine Sessions. One of only two LDS names that is plainly visible on the rock.
After a brief stop, on to Martin's Cove. While at Martin's Cove, we loaded a hand cart with our very most precious cargo and pulled it over the five miles of desert-like terrain.
The children endured the journey joyfully.
At one point we were called upon to ford a narrow stream. Father thought he could manage the burden alone, but after sinking into the murky sand, I was obliged to enter the stream and push our handcart from behind while father pulled. Gratefully, we arrived back at the visitor's center just as the mountain winds began to increase and an army of dark storm clouds rolled across the evening sky. Today's travels: approximately 580 miles.
Day 6
This is the place! We finally arrived at our destination today, in the wee hours of the morning. At nightfall the previous day, we were tired from our long journey and nearly camped for the night just below rocky ridge; however the nearness of the "Great Valley" beckoned us onward. The feelings of joy as our long journey came safely to an end were experienced by all present, as well as those waiting to greet us.
In the coming days, we journeyed to the top of Ensign Peak to survey the valley, and made our traditional trek to the glorious Salt Lake Temple. The spirit was strong on the temple grounds; the children were happy in the temple's midst. As our fingers traced the beehives along the stately temple doors, we could almost sense the presence, and feel the embrace of the family members who lived and sacrificed so long ago for this beautiful edifice.
After descending the temple steps, we turned and gazed to the east, joining our gaze with that of the golden angel atop the temple spires. As we looked, it was a though we could see the spire of another temple, whose golden angel's gaze met ours. The Temple Bookends. That our journey should begin at the temple and end at the temple seemed appropriate. And with the temple at the beginning, the end, and the center of our worship, we felt compelled to declare, as did William Clayton's great pioneer anthem: All is well, all is well.
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