Billy Wardle Happenings

 Nauvoo is a very fun place to visit.  It is known for the many historical areas, including the pioneer graveyard, and the historical buildings.  However it is also now a place for arts, almost entirely presented by young missionaries.  While there we attended a musical, a show with band and singers, and a street show with only a few singers but also members of the band.   Sheri was a bit under the weather, but Tony and I also took a wagon ride, and toured a couple of the historical buildings. In the visitors center is a depiction of the original Moroni. The view from the temple is nice.  Here is the Hyrum and Joseph statue. Going down by the river is also nice.  This is at the end of Parley Street where it meets Water Street.  Here is Joseph Smith and Brigham Young depicted in statue. Lastly I took a fast turn to see the Smith Family graves in Nauvoo.  This is not at the pioneer gravesite but by the Smith homes.

 Grand Tower has fascinated me wince my father took us there when he was scout master for the Carbondale Branch troop 151.  I was told that the island was the smallest National Park in the United States.  It actually is not a National Park but is part of a Conservation area which is small and includes some of the Missouri shore.  When I was traveling from Carbondale to St. Louis I made it a point to drive past this area and take a few pictures.  The campground is called Devil's Backbone.  The island tower is actually in Missouri.  When the water is very low you can access the island from the Missouri side.  I was always fascinated by tragedy of  the wedding story  which left me forever scared of whirlpools on the Mississippi.