Liberty Jail

Our first stop besides food and potty breaks was Liberty Jail in Missouri. The original jail was torn down but they built a replica of it based on some journal entries. Joseph and Hyrum Smith and others were held in this jail for 5 months awaiting trial.

 

 

 Although conditions here were horrible, Joseph received revelations that are important and the jail is nicknamed a "Temple Jail." The revelations he received here are Doctrine and Covenants Sections 121, 122, and 123.

 The walls of the prison were so thick (4 feet thick) and there were only two windows this size. It was very dark inside. This is looking into the jail but imagine looking out a window like this.

If this did not satisfy your desires to look at pictures of Liberty Jail you can go to the tab at the top to see more (a lot more). Or click here.

Nauvoo Teaser

My Young Single Adult (YSA) branch went on a trip to Nauvoo this week for spring break. It was such a wonderful trip. The spirit taught me many things on the trip and I am stronger because of it. I can't do the whole trip justice right nowbecause I am still very sleepy (more on that later) and I took over 800 pictures on the trip so haven't had time to sort through them. So here are two as a teaser of what's to come.

 

 

Stay tuned for more about the trip. It was amazing! I'm so glad I got the chance to go.

Rodeo

For my non Houstonian readers, every year there is a big Livestock show and Rodeo here in Houston. It goes on every night for about 3 weeks in February and March. It is the thing to do and is actually pretty fun. After the Rodeo they have a concert from some big musician that unfortunately for me is usually country. (I'm just not into country music but you are free to enjoy it.) Well, fortunately this year Bruno Mars was on the list and we were lucky enough to snatch a nose bleed ticket before it sold out on the first day tickets were available.

It was great! Bruno sure knows how to work the audience and is so charming in concert. He also sounds good live unlike some. We all had a great time.

 I must admitt that he makes me want to swoon. But then I remember that he is really short and that helps me not get overly crazy about him.

 Contrary to what the empty seats behind us would suggest this is actual during the rodeo. We got there a little late but a lot came even later then us. The concert at the end is the draw.

 It was almost as fun watching Fatima's face during the concert because she was so happy.

 See now when the concert has started the seats are full.

 I was also having fun trying out my new camera during the show. It takes some really nice photos.


It was fun! So worth staying up late on a work night.

The One and Only

Today I went on an adventure that I didn't know was possible in Texas until last night at 8 PM. I went to the one and only Castle in Texas. Complete with drawbridge, moat, and gators.That's right, there is a CASTLE in Texas. Here are some pictures to prove it.

See it does exist and I was there.

We got lost on our way to the castle because they don't give out the address so people can't show up any time. They have you meet at the bakery and then you caravan over to the castle. Well the lead car took off before we could turn around and get in line so we ended up wondering the roads forever trying to find it. And eventually did. It was kind of frustrating but we got over it and still had fun.

The rest of the tour group started before us so we got to walk around alone which allowed us to take these awesome pictures that we might not have gotten with the big group. So I guess getting lost wasn't all bad.

They do rent out the rooms as a B&B and you can host events there too. How cool is that. I think it would be awesome to have a weekend trip to a castle.

So for those of you wanting to get a better look before you book your weekend trip let's see more.

I believe they call this the Dining Hall. They even host Murder Mysteries here. So fun right?

 

They even have a chapel so if you are looking for a venue for your wedding... Though it is very small. I was standing in the door way to take this picture. You might need to use another room for the ceremony.

 Doesn't this just make you see a bride and groom standing down there infront of the table? Or have I just looked at too many wedding pictures in my day?

And incase the party gets to crazy you can lock people up in here.

Or for the kids perhaps? ;)

 

I kid, of course.

 

Check out this view.



Please pretend that my eyes are not closed here. It is such a great picture other wise.

 As you can see, Whitney thinks this is a great place to find Zombies. Or become one.

 

I think this may be my favorite photo I took there. The window could use a washing but it kind of adds to the old time castle effect.

Check out this sink. I thought it was awesome. I loved how it made it look like it fit in. If they had running water in the middle ages, I would believe that the sinks might look like this.

 



 The Kitchen. Again a clever way to make something modern fit in.

 

They said that they make their own wine there as well.

The owner of the castle Mike Newman does live in the castle. This is his bed. He always wanted his own castle so he built one. See dreams do come true.

 And look they use chainmail as their shower curtain. But some how I don't think that keeps the water in very well.

Here are the guards watching the drawbridge. Are they dwarves or am I just a giant?

 They even have their own catapult.

 

Here we are all outside the castle. It was quite the fun adventure to see. And it was so cold outside with the piercing wind that it felt like we had left Texas.

 

As we were leaving Bellville, where the castle is, we saw that they were having a car show. So we stopped to see them.

 

 

But this one is my favorite.

 

It was such a great adventure. I really enjoyed it. It got all my creative juices flowing of all the awesome things you could do at a castle. I definately forsee future trips out there especially now I know how to get there.

 

If you are interested in taking a trip out there you can find the info at newmancastle.com and the murder mystery at murderbychocolate.com then click on castle.