Today was a different pace from the first two days of Trek 2. Instead of making miles west, we made an out-and-back trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, to visit sites important to the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For Sam, it meant resuming her role as passenger princess. With Zed behind the wheel, she was able to catch up on the blog (check out the menu to see our history), enjoy the scenery, and appreciate something that has become surprisingly rare during this move: having all six members of the Herd in the same vehicle.
The day began in Carthage, Illinois, where we toured Carthage Jail. Walking through the building where Joseph and Hyrum Smith spent their final hours was a powerful experience.
One of the highlights for Zoe was the opportunity to hold scriptures that belonged to Hyrum Smith. History can sometimes feel distant to kids, but moments like that have a way of making it feel real.
While in Carthage, we met a local man who owns property in Nauvoo. What started as a casual conversation turned into one of those unexpected road trip moments that can’t be planned. We visited his store, Zions Mercantile, and later received a private tour of several sites in Nauvoo, including the Tomb of Joseph Smith and other locations that are rarely visited by most tourists. It was a unique opportunity to see parts of Nauvoo that many visitors never experience and hear stories from someone deeply connected to the area’s history.
Nauvoo has long been a place of significance for Latter-day Saints. Settled by church members in the 1840s, it became one of the largest cities in Illinois before its residents were forced to leave and continue their journey west. Walking through restored homes, shops, and historic buildings provided an opportunity to reflect on sacrifice, faith, and the willingness of people to leave behind what was familiar in pursuit of something better.
We finished the day at the blacksmith shop, where the kids watched horseshoes being forged the old-fashioned way. The smell of the fire, the ringing of the hammer on the anvil, and the craftsmanship on display made for a memorable experience. Each of the kids left with a horseshoe they had watched being made, a fitting souvenir from a place where history is preserved through both stories and skilled hands.
Perhaps the theme of the day was unexpected blessings. A chance meeting in Carthage led to experiences we never would have found on our own. As we continue our own journey west, it was a reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of the trip aren’t the ones on the itinerary.
Herd Stats
Miles Driven: 1,499
States Traveled: 5
Tire Blowouts: 0
Animal Sightings: 1 armadillo, 1 entertaining horse
Running Stats
Hotel/Campgrounds Count: 13
Herd Morale: Strengthened by faith
Sanity Level: Anchored and steady
The Davies Herd 
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