After leaving Hannibal, we decided that we were going to try and make it to St. Louis by Friday, which would mean over 120 miles in 3 days. The first day went well. We made it 45 miles. We went that far because the river is so high, so the sand bars which were so prominent for the majority of the trip so far are all under water, so it is difficult to find camp sites.
When we woke up in the morning, Ethan's eyes were swollen shut. We realized that the problem with his eyes was not allergies, but poison ivy. When we started kayaking the head winds picked up. We were miserable, and Ethan was even worse, because he could barely see. We decided that we needed a place to stay that night really badly, so we began making calls. Tim and Barb (family in Keokuk) set up a place in Grafton, which was a 46 mile day. When we got there, Ethan's whole face was swelling up, so we called the doctor and Ethan got on steroids. The side affects to this was anxiety, stomach aches, and many other possibilities, so we decided that Ethan could not kayak on Friday with us. The Haws, who we were staying with in Grafton, offered to drive Ethan to St. Louis to Ben Wahlman's family.
Justin and I headed out on the river, and it was the worst day ever! For the first 10 miles, we had a terrible head wind, and then we made it to Alton. For the next 10 miles, we were faced with huge waves with no where to go. It was the scariest time we have ever been on the river. After this, we kayaked for another mile, until it began to thunderstorm. It poured on us as Justin and I sat under the bridge with a tarp over us. We sat there, and then we found out that there were tornado warnings in our area. Right after we got that news, a siren began to go off that said "tornado alert, tornado alert." Justin and I sought a more protective area, so we sat under the bridge for the next 45 minutes. Ben's dad was able to come and pick us up, because there was no way we could kayak again.
We have been at Ben's house for the past few days, it has been great. We went to the Arch yesterday, and went to the top. Today we were able to speak at the senior high youth group for a couple of minutes. It has been great being here and we'll be back on the river tomorrow.
4 comments:
Whoa....you guys have had some very tough days and nights. You truly are in a battle! Please, please know our love and prayers are with you every inch of the way or even when you can't gain an inch. We are continuing to spread the word ~ asking for prayer on your behalf: your safety, good health, nice weather, no poison 'anything', and some times of laughter. I am so incredibly proud of you three fine young men!!! When reading further in Amos than your motto verse... "I want fairness -- rivers of it." So may God please grant you fair weather, rowing, etc. on His Mississippi River. Love you!
hang in there guys. i'm praying for you all so much and will pray that the storms will stop and that your travels will be more smooth. love you guys and make sure to tell ethan that rubbing poison ivy on your face is bad...
I was so glad to read your post this morning. I've been checking everyday and was beginning to get a little worried. I know you are in His hands, but I'm a mother, so what can I say? Hoping and praying that you have smooth sailing for this next week.
Love and prayers,
Barb from Keokuk
Hey guys. Carly just told me about ethans eyes and that day of kayaking. im glad to hear that the wahmans took good care of you. Praise God. we miss you and cant wait to see you all again. hope you fill better ethan.
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