Day 36, 19 Miles - Dutchman Island to Keokuk

Well, the wind shifted and is now in our faces. It steadily increased all day until the motor was a necessity. We beat against it for a few hours until the constant pitching droves us to hard ground. We anchored at Nauvoo and paddled the dingy Drumman ashore. We all walked a crooked line but the slight sea-sickness soon resided. For the time being that is. Old Nauvoo has been restored and we got several history lessons from friendly folks enjoying the fresh combination of shade and breeze. We ducked into a hotel's restaurant in search of something cool to drink.  It was lively and seemed popular. The antique furniture and wooden banister seemed almost western to me. "Can I help you?" the hostess asked. "Do you have lemonade or a milkshake?" I asked her back. Expressionlessly she told us that they didn't serve drinks. I thought that pecular considering the very realistic looking lemonade urn behind her. Maybe this was not a restaurant at all but a movie set with props and extras all pretending to sip soda and enjoy their fake meals. The waitress mysteriously refused to serve us (it might be that we were obviously not carrying mormon club cards). I was fine not giving them my business so we walked across the street feeling more than a little confused over what had just transpired. The next spot was a diner with a menu that made my stomach grow. We were all a little surprised to see alcohol being served but Joe, who seemed to be a permanent fixture atop a bar stool, proved that thought to be a misconception. He slurred as if he only had half of a tongue and was dually friendly and confrontational as only a drunk can be. Very generously he bought all of our lunches and when I thanked him spouted out two words and a mouth full of saliva, "what ever." "Alrighty then" I said as I turned my back and raised my eyebrows out of curiosity. In a matter of 30 minutes I had two of the strangest dining experiences I have ever had. Back on the boat the wind had only increased. For 10 long miles we drove into the wind and swells. Big Getter handled fine and furthered my opinion of her as a seaworthy craft. Most of the waves were in the 2-3 foot range but every once in a while a set would come through that would lick up onto her front deck. The horizon bounced 15 degrees at a time and as it shot up, Karin's stomach continued to do the opposite.  I realized just how bad she was feeling when she tied her hair back and sat next to the edge of the deck. She turned a little green but managed to stave of the nausea.

I'm a slave driver

Big Getter fans - Brigham Young and Joseph Smith

Karin prepares to barf

Yee Haw