We started our trip in Dallas, TX, each stop was really perfectly (accidentally) timed for the need of a stretch break, we only made a view unplanned stops to take a quick break but even the unplanned stops added to the awesomeness of the trip. I've added the unplanned stops and things we would have done differently had we known when planning what we know now.
Day 1
Stop 1: Choctaw Rest Area Home of the really big chair and a wigwam (maybe?? - we're not actually sure what it was)
Stop 2: War Eagle Mill
Website:
http://www.wareaglemill.com/
Address:
11045
War Eagle Rd | Rogers, Arkansas 72756
Fees: Free
This stop was so cool! You have to drive over a one lane historic wooden bridge to get to the mill. The history of the War Eagle Mill is tragic, it was originally built in 1832 but had been re-built several times between fires and floods it's had a hard existence. It's currently on it's 4th building.
They have a delicious cafe on the top floor of the mill, perfect for a quick lunch break. (be sure to try one of their cobblers - they are fantastic. Stop 3: Marion County Courthouse (We needed a stretch)
The courthouse is a beautiful historic building - we walked around the block for a quick stretch. In the yard of the courtyard they have a 7,000 lbs double water turbine which we thought was appropriate for the theme of the day.
Stop 4: Hodgson Water Mill
Address:
Richland
Township, MO (just google it - google will know what you're talking about)
Fees: Free
The Hodgson Water Mill comes out of nowhere! We were seriously doubting our GPS when it said it was ahead. It isn't currently open to the public and has unfortunately fallen into disrepair but you can explore the grounds. If I had enough spare money laying around I would totally buy this mill and restore it into an event center because the grounds are magical!We stopped for the night in Sikeston, MO but there are plenty of spots to stop along the way. You will travel through the Mark Twain National Forrest so if camping is your thing you can do that too.
Day 2
Stop 1: Bollinger Mill and Burfordville Covered Bridge
Address: 113 Bollinger Mill Rd, Burfordville, MO 63739
Fees: Donations accepted for upkeep of the site
Unlike the other water mills this mill had a water turbine in the basement instead of a water wheel - not that we could see it because the mill is not in use and silt has covered the turbine. It's got a museum on the first floor (It's 5 stories!) that shows the process of milling grain that was pretty awesome and guided tours are available to see the upper floors on an hourly basis - we're not a fan of guided tours so we skipped that. (If you go please tell us what we missed)
Stop 2: Sandy Creek Covered Bridge (not originally on the itinerary but only a 20 minute detour so we figured why not)
Website: https://www.mostateparks.com/park/sandy-creek-covered-bridge-state-historic-site
Address: 9001 Old Lemay Ferry Rd, Hillsboro, MO 63050
Fees: Free
It was raining when we stopped here so we didn't explore a whole lot but the little bit that we did explore was fun.
Stop 3: St. Louis LDS Temple
There is nothing better then going to the Temple.
Stop 4: St Louis Arch
The grounds were under construction so we didn't go up it... that and claustrophobia. I have been up the Arch and it was pretty awesome (despite a slight fear of heights)
Our final destination for the night was Camp Nauvoo in Nauvoo, Illinois. I love Camp Nauvoo, if you're looking for reasonable accommodations and don't mind sharing a shower house, I highly recommend it. All the cabins are air conditioned and a few even have heat - for those winter campers.
Day 3 - 6
Explore Nauvoo. There is so much to see here it takes 4 days to see it all! Below are my top 10 sites but really all the tours are fantastic.
10. David's Chambers & Hidden Arch - just west of Camp Nauvoo along the river, this is a peaceful park with a small waterfall. We used to hunt geod's here when we were young. A little further down Highway 59 towards Nauvoo is Hidden Arch - one of the original arches built to drain the swamp so Nauvoo could be built.
9. Trail of Hope - Parley Street - Be sure to park at the Seventies Hall and walk down to the river reading the sign posts along the way. It always touches me the sacrifices the original inhabitants of Nauvoo made leaving and on their journey west.
8. Carriage Ride and Oxen Ride - The Carriage ride goes out to Inspiration Point near where the north landing used to be along the Mississippi River. Stories are told of the lives of the saints who settled Nauvoo from a swamp. If you get up really early (be at the stables at 6:30 am) you can watch the horses get ready for their day of work, we seriously considered this but decided we liked sleep better. The oxen ride was also cool and informational - meaning I learned why the pioneers walked and walked and walked and walked.
7. Scovil Bakery - free gingerbread cookie at the end of the tour, need I say more?
6. Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop - free prairie diamond and if you're extremely lucky a mini horseshoe they make right in front of you.
5. Joseph Smith Sites walking tour (these are the only sites with a small fee)- the only way into the Joseph Smith sites is through the walking tour offered by the Community of Christ. You get to see the foundation of the 3 story stable Joseph Smith owned as well as hear of his plans for the Nauvoo House (a boarding house he had in the works) and see inside his Homestead and Mansion House - no pictures are aloud in the houses unfortunately I totally would have taken a picture of the floor plans of the Mansion House.
4. Nauvoo Fudge Factory - a must stop for all your fudge needs!
3. Carthage Jail - take the scenic route through miles of corn fields to get to Carthage where the Prophet was martyred, The jail had been lived in from the time of Joseph Smith until the LDS Church bought it at restored it to a jail. The original door with the bullet holes from the mob has never left the site.
2. The shows - Nauvoo is most alive during the month of July but the summer months are all packed with plenty of performances. There's (4) shows done by the LDS missionaries serving in Nauvoo all summer and currently (2) outdoor pageants that run the month of July. If you see the pageants, I suggest planning on seeing the British Pageant first and then the Nauvoo Pageant. They share a story line and chronologically the British Pageant comes first.
1. Nauvoo LDS Temple
This is my absolute favorite Temple, the architecture and stone work is remarkable. It's a re-construction of the original Temple built by the early saints and is a fully operational LDS Temple but the grounds are open to everyone.
There is so much more to see and do while in Nauvoo, way to much to elaborate on, you'll just have to go see for yourself,
Day 7
This day really was a bust -
The Venneer Mill (a working Danish Windmill) was cool from the outside, and we enjoyed being able to go to the top of the windmill and see the blades up close but the tour guide was very long winded. 
The High Trestle Trail Bridge would have been really awesome, except it tried to kill Anna, she was allergic to something growing nearby. There's about a mile-ish 'hike' to the bridge itself along the trail from the closest parking area.
What we should have done is a tour of the Bridges of Madison County (Hogback Bridge, Cedar Bridge, Roseman Bridge, Holliwell Bridge, Cutler-Donahoe Bridge and Imes Bridge). Take my advice drive by the windmill to take a peak, it is cool enough for that, and plan on spending time with the covered bridges. We're currently planning a trip back to Iowa to see the bridges.
Day 8
In Omaha, Nebraska near the site of where the LDS pioneers stopped for the winter in their journey across the plains and set up a small community for travelers coming after them, behind the Temple are the grave markers of several of the pioneers as well as a memorial for those who died while at Winter Quarters.
Stop 2: Kainesville Tabernacle
In Council Bluffs, Iowa - you can either see it before or after Winter Quarters as you pass it going in and out of Omaha. The Kainesville Tabernacle is where after 3 years Brigham Young was finally sustained as the 2nd Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.Stop 3: Adam-ondi-ahman
If you don't dwaddle at the hotel in the morning like we did, you should be able to make it to Adam-ondi-ahman by sunset. (we went the next morning) This is another historic and significant site for members of the LDS faith. Honestly there really isn't much by way of buildings to see - in fact there aren't any unless you count the restrooms. But the peace and Spirit that prevail at this sacred spot are worth it.
Day 9
Stop 1: Kansas City, MO LDS TempleFrom here we booked it home - broke our number 1 rule and hit the Turnpike and Freeway and raced home.
