Days 102 -110

Winthrop, IL - Chicago IL

Start 9:28 AM
End 12:49 PM
Underway 3:21 Hours
Distance 38.9 miles
Total Miles on Trip 1825
Av Speed 11.6 knots
Weather Sunny 75 Degrees winds SW 10 Knots

Change in plans number 6842, They say the best thing to have on this trip is a plan and the worst thing to have is a schedule. Because we are scheduled to fly out of Chicago on Thursday the 9th, we really have to be there. We had planned on traveling from North Point Marina to Chicago on Wednesday the 8th, but the weather forecast was calling for 3' - 6' seas once again we had to change plans. The forecast for Monday was very good, so we left North Point 2 days early.

Once again the forecast was off, they called for 1'+ seas with winds out of the west, and it was a good 2'-3' for the first half of the trip. Most of the time they were following seas, which tends to push the back of the boat around. We ran the boat faster than we have been, to help smooth out the ride. The one part of the forecast they did get right was, it was a clear sunny day. As soon as we got out on the lake, we could see the Chicago skyline, 38 miles away. Days like this are why people name their boast CAVU (Clear And Visibility Unlimited).

Coming into Chicago was incredible the closer we got the cooler the skyline looked. As we passed thru the outer break wall, there was an anchorage called The Playpen. There were boats anchored everywhere with people swimming and partying. Next we passed Navy Pier with crowds of people watching all of the boats just going back and forth in front of the pier. After Navy Pier the Inner Break Wall for DuSable Harbor starts. Between the slips and mooring field DuSable Harbor is over ¾ of a mile long.

DuSable Harbor Marina, is the most expensive marina, we have stayed in, and they are the least helpful (Government run of course). The dock hands do not answer the radio, and they will not come help you dock. We were prepared Steve & Jane (Sabbatical), were already in the marina, and offered to come catch our lines.

After settling into our slip, off exploring we went. Steve, Jane, Angel and I went out to lunch. What was supposed to be a 10 minute walk to lunch, turned into a 45 minute walk. Google Maps kept getting confused, and turning us around. Our walk back was much quicker, only taking 10 minutes.

Tuesday we spent exploring Chicago visiting Navy Pier and the Bean. We ended our exploring by going out for a Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. I wanted to order a medium pizza, but the waiter asked if it was just the two of us, then he recommended that we get a small. When I said I wanted to have left overs, he said order a small. Not only did we have that small for dinner, I had a slice for breakfast the next day, then Angel and I had the rest for lunch!

We ended Tuesday with docktails. Steve and Jane, their son Scott and Daughter-in-law Jessica (Sabbatical), Tim & June (Subject to Change), Peter & Yvonne (Quite Nice) and Rommel & Amy (Happiness Is).

Wednesday we took a boat tour of Chicago. (Yes we took a boat tour!!!) The boat tour was an Architectural Tour. The docent was both knowledgeable and entertaining. It also gave me a sneak preview of where we would be going when we leave Chicago.

Thursday we boarded an airplane and went back to New Jersey to celebrate Rebecca and Zach's wedding. It was great to see everyone, and the celebration was great. We spent four days running crazy. By Sunday night we were ready to go back to the boat, but our flight was not until Tuesday.

As nice as it was to return to New Jersey we were both very happy to get back to the boat and slow the pace back down. We will be heading out early Wednesday morning.