Nauvoo, Illinois

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - Friday, March 15, 2013

 

The car knows the way...

 

After overnighting in Paducah, Kentucky we entered Nauvoo via the scenic route from Keokuk, Illinois.  The road travels along the Mississippi River.  We checked into the old Hotel Nauvoo.  It has steep steps, creaky floors and small rooms.  At this time of the year, there aren't many people, so it was quiet and we practically had the place to ourselves.  We all know what the Hotel Nauvoo is noted for -- the best buffet, on either side of the Mississippi!  Unfortunately, we were informed that it would not open until the evening of March 15.  :(

 

 

Hotel Nauvoo

 

It did not take us long to find our good friend, Betty Purtell.  She is from Sarasota, Florida and she is serving an 18-month mission for the Church in Nauvoo.  She is busy each day giving tours at the sites, then performing in the evening at "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo" or "Sunset by the Mississippi".  She also has meetings to attend, songs and scripts to learn, training, and planning of special events and presentations.  She is busy all day, every day.  Fortunately, we were able to attend a performance of "Rendezvous" at the Cultural Hall and have dinner together to catch up.

 

 

Kent, Carol and Betty Purtell at the Family Living Center

 

In this building you can watch the missionaries dip candles, bake

bread, weave fabric, make rag rugs, barrels and their own ropes.

 

 

We ran into an "old" friend, Sister Jardine.  She and her husband are

serving a mission also.  They are from Overland Park, Kansas.

 

 

Betty, center, performing in "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo"

which is performed in the evening at the Cultural Center.

 

 

 

 

 

Betty Purtell, right, during the closing song of "Rendezvous In Old Nauvoo".

 

 

During our time there, we visited our favorite places.  We picked out our favorite fudge at the Nauvoo Fudge Factory, and cookies and homemade loaves of bread at the Nauvoo Mill and Bakery.  We attended the Nauvoo Temple and then checked out Zion's Mercantile for their crafts, paintings, books and historic reproductions.

 

At the Temple House Gallery, we ran into some more friends, Tom and Jennette Simpson.  They recently moved from Sarasota and now live in Nauvoo.  She is the manager for the Gallery and Tom is working as a photographer.  He is coming out with a book soon and is available to photograph a wedding.  His web site:  tomsimpsonphotography.com

 

Small world!