Beautiful...Nauvoo

Destination: Nauvoo, Illinois

With a few simple entries, the Navi is set, and we're off! All is going quite well until we reach the city of Oquawka. Yes, there is a city by that name in Illinois. I think about fifty people live there, one of which works at the only gas station in town. We enter such gas station in search of a map, due to the fact that our navigation system has been taking us in circles for the past hour leading us by way of every road in the area back to the same road that is CLOSED! We inquire about a map and are told that the road is closed (like we didn't know...why do you think we're asking for a map!) and the truck that brings them their maps can't get there.

So we start back on our way with no map, no navi, and no idea where we are. Luckily we found the only map in town... As Mark Twain wrote: "The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skills can persuade it to do otherwise."

The Arrival

We arrived just minutes before the two bus loads of youth. After downing a slice of pizza, we were all free to explore the city. I think all of us discovered Annies Frozen Custard and The Fudge Shoppe. Annies Frozen Custard stayed open as long as people kept coming in. I think our group kept it open until midnight all three nights we were in town. We tried vanilla with strawberries, vanilla with raspberries, and vanilla with hot fudge. The last night there we had heard the flavor of the day was lemon and that we needed to try it with raspberries. By the time we made it to Annies the lemon was GONE! I'm still upset.

Which way to Carthage?

We followed the two bus loads as they made their way through the back roads to Carthage. Good thing we didn't try to get there on our own. If you ever want to try it, here's the directions: Take a left at the first corn field...a right at the next corn field...then go down the road a piece to another corn field...a few more twists and turns through some more...yes... corn fields that look amazingly the same as the last corn fields. When you see a clearing and a building, you have arrived at your destination next to yet another....corn field.

Carthage

Our visit to Carthage Jail would prove to be an emotional start to our trip. No description could tell what I felt there. Gratitude. Such an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the man who left the beautiful city of Nauvoo on June 24, 1844 with his loyal brother Hyrum to answer to charges against him for "riot." As this man, the Prophet Joseph Smith, glanced back at Nauvoo and the Mississippi River he said, "This is the lovliest place and the best people under the heavens, little do they know the trials that await them."

"Calm As A Summer's Morning"

"I am going like a lamb to the slaughter but I am calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me-he was murdered in cold blood."

These words became a reality. On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph and his Brother Hyrum were martyred. Hearing the story again in the place where it happened was an experience I will always remember and will forever be grateful for this man, this prophet of God...Joseph Smith

"High Hopes and Riverboats"

This was a musical production performed by LDS missionaries depicting true stories from histories and journals of those who originally lived in Historic Nauvoo. My ears perked up when I heard "the whittlin and whistlin brigade". I've read stories about them in my own family history. This was a group of young men (yes, very young) who would intimidate suspicious characters who came into Nauvoo by taking out their pocket knives and whittlin sticks and begin whittling and whistling as they got closer and closer to the person of interest. I guess it was a very successful way of protecting their community without violence. Pretty cool to think our ancestors were part of this infamous group of young men. It sounds like something Grandpa R. would do, doesn't it?

The Nauvoo Visitors Center

The missionaries sang to us before we went in to see the movie "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration", and "Remembering Nauvoo".

Sunset by the Mississippi

Later in the evening, we watched a live show at the Pavilion on the River called "Sunset by the Mississippi. The performers included the young missionaries as well as the senior missionaries. It was great family entertainment! The senior missionaries stole the show!

The Temple

The temple sits prominently on a hill in the center of town. It is a near duplicate of the original temple exterior. Even the temple window glass, made in France and Germany, is the same type of glass made in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Everything done inside and outside the temple was duplicated as near as possible to the original temple.

The youth were able to perform baptisms for those who died without having the opportunity to embrace the Savior's gospel. It was great to see their enthusiasm to perform this act of service. What a blessing it is to know that we are able to give this opportunity of choice to accept this ordinance to our ancestors who didn't have the opportunity here on earth.

I felt like a temple worker for the day. It was great!

Historic Nauvoo

After the temple, we were free to walk around Historic Nauvoo where we were able to go inside some of the restored homes and shops along Main Street. We didn't have time to see it all, but we were able to see:

• How bricks are made (and got a souvenir brick)
• How a newspaper was done (very tedious, hard work)
• How they baked bread and cookies (tasted a ginger bread cookie)
• The house where John Taylor lived and the toy horse he went back, in disguise, to Nauvoo to get for his little child who was sad it had been left behind.
• How guns were made at the Browning house.
• The House where Joseph and Emma lived.
• The burial place of Emma, Joseph, and Hyrum.
• Parley Street where the saints walked down to the Mississippi River to cross and leave their beautiful Nauvoo behind.

The Pageant

Last but least, we attended the Nauvoo Pageant. With the words, "When you're here, we're here," an actor representing Parley P. Pratt welcomes audiences to the Nauvoo Pageant. The pageant depicts the settling of Nauvoo in the mid-1800's, and commemorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple. It is a celebration!

At the end of the pageant when the lights are lit on the temple, and you hear the voice of President Hinckley saying how the Nauvoo Temple and the Salt Lake Temple are built facing one another just like bookends with so much history in between, a hush comes over the audience in reverence and respect for those who left such a wonderful legacy for us.

When you visit Nauvoo, they are there!

Wicked!

The reason for our little detour to Chicago... Wicked! And wicked it was! I even got butterflies in my stomach before the show began.

When I was a little girl, The Wizard of Oz would come on television once a year on Sunday. I would beg my mom to let me stay home from church so I wouldn't miss it. It has always been my all time favorite movie. What little girl hasn't dreamed of having those ruby red slippers?

I have found myself singing..."La la la la...We're gonna make you populer...(lar)...just like me!"

Can I go again? Please?

Just another Manic Monday

Things we’ve learned today (Monday):

We learned that rather than spend a chunk of change on breakfast in the hotel, we can walk around the corner for a cheap breakfast at McDonalds.

We learned that although we can save on breakfast, we will have to buy two umbrellas to walk back to the hotel in the sudden downpour.

We learned that it is hard to say no to a homeless guy asking for breakfast.

We also learned that it would have been cheaper to just give him a few bucks instead of actually letting him order breakfast. He was hungry! His breakfast cost as much as the two of ours combined.

We learned the short way to the riverboat cruise after taking the long way to get there.

On our 90 minute cruise, we learned a lot about the architecture in Chicago, and a lot about the history of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Our guide informed us, the city of Chicago has more boat slips on Lake Michigan than the city of San Diego has on the Pacific Ocean. Of course you can only use the boat for about 4-months.

We learned that Ringo Starr is getting old, but we’re still excited to see him in person! (Can you pick out his wife, Barbara Bach in the picture).

We learned that the Cultural Center use to be the Chicago Public Library built in the late 19th century, and that it was saved from destruction by the wife of the first mayor, Eleanor “Sis” Daley. In 2007 its roof went green. It is filled with Illinois plants and beehives. It also has a magnificent stained-glass dome. The dome is an actual Tiffany designed and built piece of art.

We learned that we could have spent a lot more time in the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s huge! This is one of the many, many, many paintings and pieces of art work in the museum. This painting titled The Asssumption of the Virgin painted in 1577 - 1579 by Domenikos Theotokopoulos. He became known as El Greco and is called one of the greatest masters of mannerism.

We learned that although the map from the concierge in the hotel says the walk to the Navy Pier is only about a ten minute walk, it is actually about a thirty minute walk.

We learned that the Navy Pier is a long way to WALK for dinner, especially after a long day of WALKING!

We also learned that there is a free shuttle bus that runs all day from near our hotel to the Pier.

We learned that it has been a while since we’ve seen the movie Forrest Gump, and that we don’t remember some of the dumb trivia from the movie to answer questions from our waiter at Bubba Gumps:

What was Forrest’s girlfriend’s name? (Jenny)
What color were the shoes she wore at their wedding? (She didn’t wear shoes, she was a hippie!)
When Forrest went to Vietnam, where was he shot? (In the buttocks!)
Why did Forrest say it was good to be shot in the buttocks? (Because you got to eat all the ice cream you want.)

(Just hand over the food mister…we’ve just walked fifty miles to eat here!)

We learned that the guys who sit on the streets with cups asking for money actually stay there ALL DAY LONG!

We also learned that the guy who tricks you into having your shoes shined wants to be paid for his annoying interruption of your desperate walk back to the hotel for some relief from the shoes you have on your feet. They’re dirty walking shoes…I really don’t care – LEAVE ME ALONE! Besides, what in the heck is it that he’s squirting all over my shoes anyway!

We’ve also learned that although I’ve walked approximately 300 miles in these dirty shoes, my thighs don’t seem to have shrunk one bit! It’s probably that evil popcorn!

We opened the bag as soon as we left Garrett’s and ate it as we walked back to the hotel. Yummmm!

Happy Birthday Ringo Starr

Who knew we would be able to participate in Ringo Starr’s 68th birthday party. He is in Chicago for his birthday, and is staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, about a block from where we are.

On our way back from our cruise down the Chicago River, we noticed a crowd of people gathering outside the entrance of the Hard Rock Hotel. As we got closer, we could see they were interviewing someone. It was Ringo!

After the interview ended, the crowd was let inside the hotel lobby for birthday cake!

Ringo’s wish for the world: Peace & Love! Hope he was able to blow out all his candles!

Chicago, Chicago

We left Saturday and headed for the “Windy City”. I’ve never been to Chicago before, so I was pretty excited about coming. The drive there was pretty uneventful until we reached the city of Metropolis, Illinois.

Yes, there really is a city called Metropolis, and Superman is really from there. We stopped to see the famous Superman statue that stands prominently in the middle of town.
It was here we found out that Superman is a Pepsi man. Who knew?

The city of Chicago is a vibrant city, with lots of things to see and do. It’s a good thing we brought these:
We put about 200 miles on them since we arrived. Somehow it doesn’t seem to bother me to look like a complete dork in walking shoes and Capri pants.

This weekend was the famous “Taste of Chicago”, and I swear all of Chicago was there for it. We tasted some of Chicago’s best! Some of our Nissan friends who live here met us there. They’ve lived in Chicago for years and have never come in to town for the “Taste”.

Millennium Park is amazing! These are pictures of “The Bean”, how’s that for a name. You can see the skyline of the city reflected in it. It’s huge!

We’ve been to the 96th floor of the Hancock building.

This is a picture from the windows overlooking Lake Michigan.

One of the busiest places in the city is the “American Girl Place". Its three stories are filled with everything you can think of to do with “American Girl”. You can pick your doll, dress her, pick a matching outfit for yourself, have her hair done, take her to lunch with you at the “American Girl Cafe”, and then enjoy a movie or even a theatrical production. I don’t know which amazed me more…the $100 dolls themselves, or the droves of mothers and daughters walking out of the store with sacks and sacks of merchandise.

You want to shop? This is the place to come. We found a place called the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue where you can shop Bloomingdales and every other high end store you’ve ever dreamed of. Bloomingdales alone is five stories. I have never seen so many stores!

Tomorrow morning we’ll go back to Garrett’s. It’s a VERY popular popcorn store. Yes…popcorn. People were lined up this morning for half a block just to get inside. It must be worth it. Two hours in line for popcorn? It had better be good! I LOVE the city!

Bob's Burning Bush

While the rest of you are out enjoying the fireworks, we will be keeping the home fires burning (literally).

You see, there's this annoying stump in our backyard. It's up near the forest, and has been bugging Bob since we moved in. After doing a little research on the subject of removing big annoying stumps, he found his solution at Home Depot. The directions tell you to drill holes in the top of the stump and pour this solution in the holes and let it be for a month or so. After the solution has been in the stump for an adequate amount of time, you then put charcoal briquettes on top of the stump and light them. Your big annoying stump will burn clear down to the roots!

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Well...it was going quite well until Mr. Patience decided to get things moving a little more quickly. The boy scout came out in him...and I mean the 11 year old scout. He grabbed the gas container...put a little dab on the coals, and WHOA....mini forest fire!

I had just barely looked out and saw things were going smoothly, and the next thing you know, he's got the hose in his hands and is fighting this little fire! The flame ignited from the coals, to the gas container, to Bob, to the dropped gas container, to the gas spilled on the lawn that could not be picked up before emptying almost completely, to a big blazing, full blown, FIRE!!!

I was still in my pajamas, threw some clothes on, ran outside to help (like I could do anything), and stood there and watched him trying to calm the blaze.

He was very calm and collected, which he usually is! I was a wreck!! What do I do. Do I get dirt and throw it on the fire? Do I call 911? No, I'll just pace back and forth and watch him trying to douse the flames with the hose that has no water pressure and pray for no wind.

I've made him PROMISE never, ever to do that again! Somehow I don't think I got through to him. I'm just hoping the burning bush did! I've seen The Ten Commandments. I'm hoping the eleventh commandment was given today while he was up there with his little burning bush!

All is well that ends well. His burning bush is just smoldering now. Just right for roasting some marshmallows and making smores.

Happy Fourth of July!!

A Quote for Today

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." T.S. Eliot

This is one of my favorite quotes. Those of you who have moved a time or two will understand when I say that I really believe I know the place I started a little better than when I actually lived there. I know it better because I know a difference. Maybe I even appreciate it a little more.

Moving is hard. Sometimes life is hard. Do you suppose when this life is over and we return to our heavenly home, we will arrive where we started and know the place for the first time? Will we appreciate it more because we will know the difference? I think so.

The Song

It all started at PRISM.

For any of you who don't know what that is...I'll explain. PRISM is a vocal music program held at El Dorado High School (where my kids went to high school). It is held in the spring, and is anticipated the whole year. If you are lucky enough to audition and make it, you have "arrived". It's called PRISM because it encompasses every kind of music, sort of like all the colors found in a crystal prism shining in the sunshine. The kids are free to choose any song, practice it, and audition for a place in the program. On this particular year, my two daughters put a group of four girls together and decided to sing "Breaking Up is Hard To Do" by Neil Sedaka. They practiced and practiced and auditioned singing acappella. Most songs are done with an accompanist, but Mr. Peterson actually preferred it acappella. So acappella it was. With their little poodle skirts and scarves in their hair, they made their debut at PRISM. What a hit! The audience loved it! They had made it! Life was good.

Later that year, the group was reunited to perform again. This time the words were changed to fit the occasion. Devon had cleverly asked Kimberly to Prom by sprinkling chocolate kisses all over her bedroom floor with a poster that read...."Now that I've kissed the ground you walk on, Will you go to Prom with me?" She wanted her answer to be just as clever. So...the words were changed, the song was practiced, and a cute group of teenage girls showed up at Devon's house to perform their newest rendition called..."Yes, I'll go to Prom with you."

Years passed, daughters got married, and the father of the bride turned 50. They wanted to do something at his party that would make him smile, so they resurrected "the song", changed the lyrics, recruited their friend Stephanie, and sang to their Dad at his big surprise birthday party. They didn't fit into their cute little poodle skirts for obvious reasons...

Recently,another occasion called for yet new lyrics to "the song".... Grandpa's 80th birthday party. This time there was no time for practice, not much time to plan, and just a few minutes (literally)for Robyn to write some new words, recruit her brother, and wait for her sister to arrive from San Diego. After a quick once over in the bathroom, they were ready to perform "the song".


Here's the latest rendition of "the song":

Do do do down doobee do down down,
Coma coma down doobee do down down
Coma coma down doobee do down down
Happy happy birthday to you!

You just turned 80 two days ago,
So today we want you to know
We think that you're the best,
Grandpa who's been put to the test.

You like to wear your special white hat,
And dig for rocks way out west;
Go on road trips and play basketball,
You've served six missions, you can do it all!

They say cayenne pepper makes a great drink,
A new health concoction every week.
You like to tickle with your Donald Duck voice.
Selling books, singing songs, yard work, what's your choice.

We love you Grandpa
Just the way you are.
You should be a super star.
80 years, still going strong,
We hope you'll be around for long!

Do do do down doobee do down down,
coma coma down doobee do down down,
coma coma down doobee do down down,
Happy happy birthday to you!

Who knows when it will be resurrected again!

The Blakester Turns Two

Look out world....Blake is two years old!!

Blake made his entry into this world two weeks early, and since that time, has been in a hurry to grow up. As a matter of fact, we think he believes he is much older than two. He's very social! He's a happy, sweet little boy who always has a smile on his face. Two years old, and already the life of the party! Happy Birthday Blakey! We love you!

Better By the Dozen

What do you get when you add together one dad, one mom, two daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, three grandsons, and two granddaughters? You get a dozen reasons to smile. I just realized our family now numbers an even dozen. Who knew our little family of five would grow to twelve so quickly. Good things are always better by the dozen....not cheaper....but better! So, In honor of this momentous realization, I thought I'd share with you some pictures of our twelve pack taken Memorial Day weekend while we were in Utah for my Dad's 80th birthday party celebration.