185: a good old american 4th of july

Day 3:

{Mind you, I took over 300 pictures. Limiting it to just a few is proving to be more difficult than I thought, but I will survive, as I suppose anyone reading this will}

Spending the 4th of July in Nauvoo. G'ma & G'pa were working in the temple today so we took the day to explore Nauvoo. We went on a carriage ride, a wagon ride, visited several houses of church historical value from the pioneer era, the list goes on. I was just in awe with how green everything was and what gorgeous trees were everywhere! We smothered ourselves in bug spray everyday and were spared any annoying bug bites. There was so much to see and do. My parents finished their shift by 6:00 p.m. and we joined them with all the other Senior Temple missionaries for a BBQ.

 Our new jewels..Nauvoo diamonds! Rings formed out of nails were about as nice as they could afford back in those days.

One of several pictures I took of the Nauvoo temple. This was one of the most beautiful temples inside that I have ever had the privilege of viewing.

 We visited the grave sites of Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Emma Smith. These were on the RLDS site {now known as the Community of Christ}. It was very interesting how the land was divided. This was the break off sect of the church back when the majority left for Salt Lake City back in the 1840's. The others, stayed back and  called themselves the reorganized church, believing in Joseph Smith but not so much in the ones to follow. 

The RLDS allow people to visit the grave and walk around the houses, but you have to pay and go on the tour to get inside Joseph Smith's home or a few of the other houses.

After the picnic, we drove across the bridge to Fort Madison, Iowa for some fireworks. These little towns are something else. Such interesting individuals. It made for great people watching and interesting conversation. We didn't really know where to go, so we followed the masses and parked in a little parking lot. The thing about Missouri and Iowa..they are not lacking for firework stands. 

Jim made a joke that the unemployment rates are going to skyrocket after the 4th with how many firework stands there were and the fact that their big day was just about over. 

 We enjoyed a lovely firework show. Both with fireworks and with lightening bugs!