Saying Goodbye

For several years we traveled aboard our motor yacht RCabin but sadly it's time for us to part ways.  She's officially listed for sale.  With kids in high school attending charter schools, it's gotten harder for us to leave for months of travel. We feel the expense of storing her and keeping her up could be spent on other travel adventures.  We enjoyed our time traveling the Caribbean and are a little sad to say goodbye.  But we look forward to the next adventure in our lives.  We are still traveling, just not by boat for awhile.

On our road trip we drove out to Jacksonville for the kids to see her one last time and say good bye.  We take with us amazing memories and experiences that have shaped our family.

Nauvoo, Illinois

We arrived Sunday evening just as the sun was going down.  Which gave us plenty of time to drive the campground and pick the best spot, this was easy since we were the only ones there!

In the morning Savannah, Calvin, and I headed off to the Temple.  Occasionally the Nauvoo Temple is open on Monday's, and one was today.  The kids had 9am appointments for baptisms while I was going to do initiatories.   After I finished I was able to spend a few minutes in the beautiful celestial room.  It was a special experience being here in this temple performing the work of my ancestors who I hope have been waiting to accept the gospel.  Like the pioneers, their lives and choices made it possible for me to be at this place in my life.  

After the temple, we headed off to explore old Nauvoo and learn about the pioneers that once lived here and the legacy they left behind.  They sacrificed so much, over and over,  for their faith in Jesus Christ.  

   

The next morning before heading towards Florida we stopped at nearby Carthage Jail to learn of the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  It always a special experience each time we visit here.  This time I learned after many years as a jail, the Browning family purchased the property to use as their home.  While they lived here people would come knock on their door asking if they could come and see where Joseph died.   When they were going to move they contacted the church to see if they wanted to purchase the property.  Joseph F Smith, who was 5 years old when his father was killed here, was prophet at this time.  Knowing it was important for church history, he did buy it.  It was many years before the church restored the property and opened for visitors.  

Omaha, Nebraska

After a day and a half of driving, a few delays, 2 noisy nights sleeping next to noisy Semi trucks, we finally made it to the first major stop on our Spring Break 2017 trip, plan B. Plan A had our first stop in SLC but a delay before leaving Friday afternoon set us back that we had to skip it.  No worries though, we'll stop on the way home.

We came to Omaha to see the Historic Mormon Winter Quarters Trail Center.  Our trip is centered around pioneers and their travels.  On our way to Florida we will be stopping at LDS sites, and on the way home Bational Historic Sites.  

 

This morning before church we were able to visit the trail center and learn about those who traveled to Omaha from Nauvoo Illinois and the settlement they established here.  We also walked the peaceful Temple grounds and the neighboring cemetery where more than 300 saints were buried, most of them children.  

 

After church we headed across the river to stop at the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs Iowa. Here we learned more about the pioneers and the Mormon Battalion that began ther march from here.  

On this site is a replica of the Tabernacle built specifically to sustain Brigham Young as a prophet of God.  Savannah and Calvin were both able to play hymns on the old antique organ they have there.

 

A great history has been preserved in this area of great people who endured and sacrificed so much for their Savior Jesus Christ.  I am in awe of all that they accomplished and contributed given their circumstances.  This is the work of God.