Nauvoo Trip Day 1

Day 1 - Thursday, May 29, 2025 "We look back, to remember to look forward"

The long wait was finally here. This trip was 5 years in making, with it originally planned for June 2020 but COVID getting in the way of that plan. Again, planning is always one of my favorite things about each trip we take and this one was no different. I planned, researched and planned some more. Planning a trip for 10 people between the ages of 20-82 is no easy task, trying to find fun things to do along the way so it wasn't just church history and to go at a pace that was fast enough for the kids but slow enough for the grandparents. But we pulled it off. And it did not disappoint, every aspect of this trip was awesome. 

Our flight was at 11:00 that morning, out of St George. Me, Adam, Gentry, Carter, Sadie and Nick all loaded up in the truck and met grandma, grandpa, Levi and Calli at the airport. We only got there a half hour before the flight since the airport is so small and simple. I hadn't been to that airport since picking up Calli off her mission. We were in the air in no time. It was a very turbulent flight. Still not sure if flying out of St George is worth it. But we made it.

We had a 2 hour layover in Salt Lake. Found our way through the new airport to our terminal and took turns watching the luggage and finding something to eat. 

Once we were boarded on the plane, we sat on the runway for 2 more hours while they "fixed" something. I would rather in on the ground, wishing we were in the air that in the air wishing we were on the ground, so all was well. Today, was just a travel day, so there wasn't anything we would be missing. 

We flew into the Kansas City, Missouri airport around 7:00pm. Picked up the 15 passenger rental van and then took a little detour through Kansas City to drive by the cute city library on our way to our hotel in Independence, Missouri. Got checked in, unpacked and ordered pizza and had a late night pizza party in the room before falling into bed around 10:00pm.

St George airport.

Favorite Travel Buddy

Loading time!

The New Salt Lake Airport

Layover

The last leg

Broken Plane

Playing Trivia with everyone while we waited the 2 hours. 

Landed in Kansas City!

And was greeted by an amazing sunset!

15 seater van!

So Fun!

Brand new van. When we picked it up, it only had 8 miles on it.

first of 4 states!

I was quickly obsessed with how green it was, and all the rivers and bridges. 

Kansas City

City Library. I had read that it is a sketchy area, so having arrived later than we had anticipated, we didn't get out, just snapped pictures as we drove by. 

This was comical getting everything on this rack. 

Wow! A hooters right by the hotel. Haha!

Pizza Party!