June 17, 2010

Spent the afternoon in lovely, historical Nauvoo, IL, God's Country for Mormons until Joseph Smith was lynched while in jail for destroying a printing press. This town of 1,100 takes the trophy (so far) for general tidiness, orderliness, and an all-around good feeling. The yards are large, manicured without being fussy, the houses freshly painted, not a bit of litter in sight. Kids are out riding their bikes, neighbors talking on porches and corners, under giant shade trees. It's just so pretty. Friendly, too. At its height in 1840-ish, Nauvoo was listed as the 10th largest city in America! Who knew?

The original layout of the town has been preserved, along with numerous original structures, including the Mansion of Joseph Smith and many noteworthy people of the time. Some of the restored houses are now private dwellings. We had short tours of several trade shops, including a tinsmith's home and workshop, which immediately filled me with fantasies of taking up the trade. I fell in love with the tools, more than anything. Also, the end-product is so practical and charming at the same time! Beastly clever, as well.

It is easy to see why this particular spot, upon a vast rise, just up from the river, was thought to be God's Country. It's shamelessly verdant, peacefully beautiful, rich land, fit to grow just about anything. The trees tower overhead, the fields stretch out beyond vision, and  it offers a splendid view of the river and the bottom lands and all the wildlife supported there. I can't imagine the heartbreak of leaving such a place if it were my home.

After walking for a couple hours, we drove into the "commercial" part of town. Again, quaint, clean, unhurried, uncrowded, busy with tourism, and eager to please. We dined at a Victorian hotel, once a private mansion, with all the charm and froo froo of the era. Our Southern fried chicken was DELIVERED UNTO US, buffet-style, along with a large assortment of good ol' country kitchen fare. The only disappointment was the wine, probably labeled "Welches". Poor Hans. Glad I declined.

Now the interesting part of the day came when we checked into a motel so that: 1) Hans could watch the World Cup Soccer Playoffs on TV,  and 2) we could have much-needed, long, luxuriating showers and ease. Have you ever had a kinda weird, kinda bad dream about being in a sort of carnival hotel? The entire establishment is wrapped around an enclosed sauna-like courtyard that features a steamy pool, a tiny miniature golf course, some miniature pool tables, and areas of plastic palm trees with mini lights and plastic patio chairs. Some of the area is wooden deck, some areas are carpeted and some areas are just plain dirt with plants dying to live. Numerous areas are in various states of decay or arrested refurbishment. It was eery. The kind of place a kid would be drawn to and scared of at the same time. I'll say two things about it:  I awoke with more bites than I went to bed with. It was cheap!

I hit a pothole today, and now the Motherload is creaking and making me nervous. So I'll have to spend a portion of tomorrow find a mechanic to look at her undercarriage. GULP! Please say a prayer for her!