Chicago!

Our last day in Racine was Sunday and we packed a whole lot of fun into the day!  We headed out in the dinghies to walk on the Racine Beach, which in one rating was in the top 10, stopped in to see Bob and Jeanie’s Yacht Club and ended the day with a wonderful dinner at Bob and Jeanie’s home on Lake Michigan!   The view from their home is spectacular, the dinner divine and the company was the best! 

The picture at the left is their view!  The picture below left is the group.  From the left, Bob (look at the size of that steak), Jeanie, Jean, Ken and Denny! 

We so enjoyed meeting and spending time with them that I won’t begrudge them the fact that they cheer for that Green and Gold team!

 

What a treat to be able to spend 3 days with our friends from home Jean and Denny at their beautiful marina on Lake Michigan and make new friends that made us feel so at home!  Thank you!

Monday morning after breakfast with Jean and Denny we headed out onto Lake Michigan for the 60 mile run to Chicago!  The lake was flat until the last 20 miles and then the windy city reminded us why she is called that.  The waves really kicked up and we rocked and rolled into Dusable Marina.  The marina is right off Lake Shore Drive close to Navy Pier, a great location!

We were only staying one night so we needed to pack in a lot in one day!  We signed up for the 2 hour Segway tour!  The tour took us all around Grant Park stopping at many attractions along the way! 

Field Museum

Field Museum

Buckingham Fountain

Shed Aquarium

Soldier Field - home of the Bears

Soldier Field

Beautiful city view

Ended when the sun was setting!

Next stop Millennium Park

It was such a fun outing! 

We then headed to Tavern on the Park for dinner sitting outside on a beautiful evening!  Then on to Millennium Park.

A beautiful sculpture the locals call the Bean reflects the skyline!  A huge outdoor amphitheater.

  

Not  sure what this was called but it was a glass block tower that changed colors or showed faces.  The faces eventually pursed their lips and spit water out of the mouth, much to the delight of the kids at the park!  It was a great day and night!

Next morning we pulled out of the marina for the ride through downtown Chicago on our way to the Illinois River!  As of today we are back on the river system.  A lock lets you into the Chicago River.  Our cruise through Chicago was awesome.  What a great way to see a city, from the water on your own boat!  Life is good!  Enjoy some of the pictures we took on our trip through the city.

We did meet this big guy right in the heart of the city.  Once through Chicago, the first 15 miles of the IL river are very industrial.  Lots of parked barges creating a very narrow channel.  We also had to cross over the electric fish barrier created to keep the Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes.  So far we haven’t seen a one and the electric barrier was a non event.

 We are happy to be back on the rivers but will certainly miss the clear blue waters of the Great Lakes and North Channel!  As I write this we are waiting for the Brandon Lock to open.  We arrived at the lock at 2 p.m., called the lockmaster who told us they were fixing the doors and couldn’t lock us through.  We turned around and went back to Joliet, IL, just behind us and tied up at their city wall.  It is now 4:30 and the lock is still closed.  We have a spot at a marina 14 miles away for the night so we will move on once the lock is fixed. 

Still living the dream!  Pat