Chicago, tourist day 3

77 low / 86 high

The kids and grandkids arrived Friday and we met them at the Hyatt. After checking in we hiked off for lunch at a sidewalk café. Then they all headed for the Hancock Building to go to the 360 viewing area and even tilted! That is stepping onto a glass platform and holding the hand rails as they tilt the platform out away from the building. We all congregated on the boat for dinner later. Yesterday was brunch and tour and shopping at the American Doll Store. Girls only. I stayed on the boat and got some things done. In the evening they all took the train north to watch the Florida Gators opening game but the club was a madhouse so they returned to the Hyatt. The game was eventually postponed due to lightening. I went to the annual looper dinner put on by the harbor hosts Ellen & Woody Sutton. It was a great time and good food. The 3 grandkids stayed with us on the boat last night and today we go to the yacht club for brunch.

Tilting

Our family.

Brunch at the American Doll Store.

The angels?

Chicago, Tourist day 2

70 Low / 77 high

Today was another beautiful day in Chicago. The weather was cooler and there was a slight breeze. We started the day with Ann going to a nail salon and I walked with her and made a grocery run. I know it must seem like we shop a lot but remember that we have to carry everything by hand sometimes good distances. We are also stocking up for the rivers where we may not be close to any stores. Afterwards we decided to have lunch aboard the Abegweit which is the home of the Colombia Yacht Club. John & Kathy from Serenity joined us We have reservations for Sun. brunch here with the kids so we wanted to check it out. I have a photo with the ships history and the clubs history so I won't explain it here. Just double click them to expand. A very unique setting and good food. In the afternoon we took the river architectural tour. Again very informative and saw lots of variety. We met with Thanks Dad & Serenity again at the yacht club for happy hour. Dinner in again and a nice evening. The kids and grandkids arrive this morning and leave Mon. late afternoon. Busy weekend but Ann is glowing!

Upper deck of the tour boat.

Lots of construction going on along the river.

The lights of Chicago!

A few pictures that Serenity took of us as we approached Chicago.

Chicago!!

69 low / 91 high

Sorry no post for Tue. the 26th. It rained most of the morning and in the afternoon we rode up to the outlet mall. Didn't buy anything, just walked around. That evening the 4 looper couples that were there got together and had a fish fry. It was a great time. We departed Michigan City at 530 am in the dark with 2 other boats, Serenity and Thanks Dad. We had a pretty good ride considering the forecasts. Once the sun came up we could see the skyline of Chicago from about 30 miles away. We arrived after a short 4 hour trip. about 1130 we took a walk and stopped for lunch at a great Mexican place called Mezcalina. Real Mexican food! It turned out to be right next to Mariano's upscale grocery store. Later walked a bit more and bought tickets for the hop off hop on bus tours like we took last summer. We had a great tour of all downtown Chicago and surrounding areas. It was a great experience and very informative. Dinner was aboard and even saw the fireworks shot off from Navy Pier which is just off our back deck.

Sunrise behind us.

30 miles away.

The admiral at the helm.

Getting close.

Navy Pier.

Monroe Harbor

The big ship is home to the Colombia Yacht Club.

Lunch spot.

Target.

Ann's family street and her favorite coffee. 

The Chicago River looking out towards Lake Michigan. We will travel this route when we leave.

We were very surprised at all the greenery and parks downtown.

Old church.

 

Saint Joseph

71 low / 87 high

Summer is finally here! We took advantage of this lay day to wash the boat. It was filthy! Ann and I spent over 2 hours scrubbing down the topsides. We hadn't really washed it since we started this summer, just hosed it down and maybe brushed the decks. The excitement of the morning was watching a 400' freighter turn around in the basin out in front of our resort. He drove the bow to within 5' of the sea wall of the hotel and beached it. Then pivoted the stern around until the ship was turned in the direction of the bridge. Then he used his bow thruster to move the bow out into the channel. At lunch time our friends from Thanks Dad & Fruitcakes came over in their dinghies and we had lunch and conversation by the pool. I got a nap and Ann swam. Dinner at the hotel was ok but not as good as our other meals. Off to Michigan City, In. today.

Hi bow to the right up near the sea wall.

Pivoting

Saint Joseph, Mi.

72 low / 82 high

We had a pleasant ride to Saint Joseph yesterday. The lake was flat with little wind. The skies were overcast and some fog as you neared shore. We were cruising with the upper portion of our pilot house doors open for a breeze. About 6 miles north of here I caught something that I thought was a bird out of the corner of my eye and he was coming for the open door. At the last minute he turned away and I saw it was a bat. He circled around again and this time I thought for sure he was coming in. I screamed at it and waved my arms so he broke off and headed for shore which was 1.5 miles away. We arrived at Harbor Shores Marina and were pleasantly surprised to find a very new facility with floating docks, an inn on property with a restaurant, large veranda, an indoor and outdoor pool as well as hot tubs. For the first time this summer we went swimming. We'll stay another day here before heading south for Michigan City.

Sail boat race off the entrance to Saint Joseph.

Entering the harbor.

Veranda at the inn.

Outside bar at the pool.

Sunset!