Yesterday I ate more Chicago food and went to the art institute (great art museum – lots of Monet). Dad picked me up around seven and we were off after figuring out where we should stop for the night. We picked a place called Rock Falls, based on name and halfway point.
Last night we planned out the next two days. Or I did the organizing while Dad jumped around all excited with stories about our ancestors and what places he had seen on the way to get me. You see we're going back along the Mormon trail. I'll be brief because those who are reading this (maybe just Cameron and Graham, already know what's up): while in Canada I saw a four hour special on the Latter Day Saints and I – quite late in the game – began to show some interest and appreciation for my history. I don't consider myself a member of the church but I certainly have a lot of respect for my heritage and the individuals who crossed from the midwest into Salt Lake City. It's pretty cool to know where my roots are and to be able to trace it right here in my country. So we figured, while Dad was coming to get me, why not make it kind of a dorky semi following of the Mormon trail. Dad's brought a book from his family and my Mom's with recorded journals and we're going to be stopping at important sites, pretty much the same route as the Oregon trail. I'm pretty excited. Maybe not as much as he is, but still.
We start out in Nauvoo, Illinois today; the location of The Saints (what they called themselves) began their trek and we'll end up at Council Bluffs Iowa by the end of the night.
Map here. For now I've got to get on my way and do some driving which is great because I haven't driven in a very long time.
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