Because of the wind and rain and because of such a beautiful, spacious and comfortable room at the Holiday Inn just 6 miles from the Temple, we elected to stay another day in Omaha.

Despite the continuing cold wind and rain, we went back over to the Mormon Trail Information Center across from Temple so we could complete the presentation the Sister missionaries started to share with us yesterday. Before going in to the information center we walked over to the Pioneer Cemetary located on the Temple grounds. This cemetary is the burial place of many of those who died while at Winter Quarters in 1846-47. Many of these were children who could not survive the harshness of the winter and the diseases that swept the encampment.

This monument by noted LDS sculptor Arvard Fairbanks is on the cemetary grounds, directly north of the Temple. It depicts a pioneer father and mother standing over the grave where they have just laid their child to rest.

Day 50, Tues, Oct 21, Maryville, MO to Omaha, NE

Finding the sculptures downtown was easy, but finding the Omaha Temple was much harder, dut to the fact that I wrote the address down incorrectly. But we finally arrived there. This is the very site of Winter Quarters and the burial ground of so many that died there in the bitter winter of 1846-47.

We enjoyed meeting the Sister Missionaries at the Information Center next to the Temple and viewing a wonderful film of the pioneer period.

Linda was not able to go, due to her leg being so painful after our full day, but with her encouragement I attended a 7:30 pm session and enjoyed it so much. This is a beautiful, small temple much like the one in Snowflake, Arizona.

I've milked a few of these old "Bessy's" in my younger days.

This one looks just like our old milk cow "Jersey."

Despite the cold and the wind and pain in her knee, Linda kept walking from one piece to another. She couldn't keep back the tears.

Another view of the mule drawn wagon that forms a center piece of the present wagon train now in place at the park. So true in every way, even down to the grease bucket hanging between the rear wheels.

One picture of any of these subjects cannot begin to capture to fullness of what is being portrayed. You must walk about and look from all sides. The authenticity of detail and the energy so evident in each and every part is so remarkable!

What great work! How splendid and worthwhile and meaningful it is to have captured the time, place and events of our pioneer past in this enduring way. It is a work of great integrity.

We had been privilaged to see some of these pieces during their creation in clay by the artist at his studio in South Jordan, Utah. To see them here in their final full display in bronze was so special!

These pieces were commissioned by an Omaha business man. The wagon train and related bronzes are all part of the First National Spirit of Nebraska Wilderness and Pioneer Park at 14th Street and Capitol.