We prepared for our trip across Iowa by taking a quick farewell run around Nauvoo. This will be the beginning of our trip home, following closely the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Before heading west, we had to go east a bit and north to Fort Madison where we crossed the MIssissippi River on the last remaining draw bridge on the river.

We loved Iowa! It was full of green, rolling hills and beautiful farms. One thing we noticed was the huge graveyards. They seemed to go on forever. We guess with all this flat land, there is no need to crowd, so those who are buried in Iowa not only rest in peace, but they rest with lots of elbow room.

We rode through communities which were started as temporary settlements for the pioneers, such as Garden Grove. An advance party had made camp there in 1846. Within two weeks they cleared 300 acres, planted crops, built log houses, and cut 10,000 rails for fencing and enough logs for 40 more houses. This site continued as a way station until 1852.

We had to stop for construction part way through Iowa. As we were first in line, we had a fun conversation with the flag girl. Shirlene was having problems cleaning bugs off her goggles when a nice couple waiting offered her glass cleaner and a soft cloth. They were once bikers, but gave it up because there are so many deer in the area, making riding very dangerous. We kept on the lookout for deer the rest of the day!

After crossing the Missouri River, which, by the way is much more beautiful in Iowa than it was in Missouri, we put in several unnecessary miles as we found Winter's Quarters. This was a major camp for the first wagon trains as they prepared to move west. Here they built homes with sod chimneys, and built some homes into the hillside. We spent time at the visitors center, where the story of the exodus is beautifully told. We saw the tremendous organization it took to move 70,000 Mormons west from 1846 to 1869. There were several methods of travel, ox drawn wagons being the most common. One method used well after the trail was established was the handcart. These were pushed and pulled by families, with 500lbs. of supplies in the cart. 10 such expeditions went west, most without undue hardship. There were two, who started too late in the year, who met with tragedy. We had visited the site of their rescue at Martin's Cove on the way out here. A temple has been built here as well. It has beautiful stained glass windows.