The Sights and Sounds of Old Nauvoo

I thought it would be fun to give you a sight and sound tour! What do I get to hear and see every day in Nauvoo? Well, the best of all, is of course a lot of happy, helping missionaries. They are all so willing and ready to do everything we ask. Some of you may recognize Sister Barton. (3rd from the left) The Barton's served with us in the Mesa Temple, and when we got here, they were here to greet us! The Lofgreens were also here. That made it feel a bit more like home. I love all the oldfashioned sounds--the sound of squeeking wagon wheels

Horse hooves clippity clopping on the pavement. Sounds not drowned out by traffic, honking horns, machinery, and other city noises.

Even the foggy, damp days are beautiful in Nauvoo. And the sound of the wind blowing thru the trees, or the rain on the windows, is a cozy--hot chocolate sound!

On such days, when the bell in the tower of the temple chimes, it brings memories of the past--the people, the prophet, and the sacrifice of the early saints.

I love the misty mornings--they remind me of my growing up years in the bay area.

There wasn't a lot of snow this year, but, just enough to create a winter wonderland.

And there are rivers, and streams everywhere.

There is something about the sound of running water that calms the heart and soothes the soul.

At times we could actually hear the ice cracking on the lake. When it freezes, and the re-freezes, there is no room for the growing ice--so it shoves upward and cracks onto the surface.

And then, there is the wildlife. Dear crossing our back yard, stopping to get some seeds out of our bird feeder, was a pretty regular occurance in the winter months.

And EAGLES! We have never seen so many! One trip down to Keokuk we counted over 30!

Because of our bird feeder we have seen and heard all sorts of birds. Cardinals, Blue Birds, Wood Peckers, Doves, Black birds, and a whole host of them that I can't name, because I don't know what they are! We have even had a halk lurking around --can't decide what he's after, but he has gone into the bushes by the house several times.

I love hearing the ripple of the waves against the shore--it's such a soft sound--wouldn't be heard many places--but it's one of Nauvoo's sounds. I think one of the things I love about Nauvoo is what I DON'T here: TV, Political debates, harsh, unkind words, swearing--those things just haven't been here.

The ducks and geese on the lake are numerous. They make quite a noise down there, but don't really bother us up here further. In fact, it's so quiet here, that I can hear the sound of children playing on the playground of the school about a mile up the bluff from us.

One of my favorite sights and sounds is the lights across the shore and the sound of the train whistle that comes clear accross the water--I can hear it as I lay in bed at night. I love that sound. I think it's because it reminds me of when I used to lay in bed and my grandparents' home and listen to the train going by.

Of course, I love the sunsets--and the quiet of the night. There are still noises--but they are the noises of nature: Frogs, turtles, birds, even crickets are welcome, sleepy sounds.

These pictures don't do Nauvoo justice. You'll have to come see for yourself.

There is an intangible feeling--that can't be described in sights, or sounds. As Elder Holland told us in our first interview with him, when he issued the call. "Nauvoo is where I go to heal".