Waking up to calm seas was a welcome sight. No waves. Just calm. We packed up after a great night’s sleep with yesterday’s long hours of driving across Lake Michigan a very clear memory. Passing by Milwaukee, America’s great beer capitol and home of Pabst Beer tycoon, the storm in the sky was evident. Calm water changed quickly to rain and some westerly wind picking up. We put the tarps up just in time for a quick soaking rain. Then the sun came out and it was clear cruising once again.
We called ahead to be sure of a slip while in Chicago but the marina said they didn’t have a spot once we were in the harbour. So we scrambled for a bit and found Burnham Harbour. The city skyline of Chicago was impressive while we cruised by on our way to our home for the night. So many boats both power and sail. So much activity. We haven’t seen this much boat traffic since our time in New York City. Chicago is well named as the windy city as the wind never really stops. The wake from all the traffic is far more extreme than the winds today. It was complete rock for about the hour it took to drive the skyline at slower speeds. Not only because of traffic but also so we wouldn’t miss the sights.
Burnham Harbor has diesel so the first stop was the top up of fuel and a pump out. Our dock assignment was on the same dock. Scott and I walked to the slip and thought it to be a bit narrow but the harbourmaster said it would hold us. So Scott got behind the wheel and tried to squeeze us in. There was no way. It was 12 feet wide and we are 15 so it was quickly figured out but not until we were trying to get in. With this westerly breeze it was not fun. I was quite ticked off to say the least. After calling them and waiting for a new slip assignment they put us on an end of a dock which was perfect. We were able to watch the chaos in the harbour and boat watch. Easy to get out of this spot as well.
We took a walk around the waterfront after dinner. The planetarium, the NFL Bear’s Stadium, the Museum, and so many sights here in Burnham District. Scott had to get a pic of the stadium just for our friend Curtis. Check your text message. As it turns out Lolapalooza is on this weekend. The marina has been sold out for months. It is a huge concert venue at Grant Park with 127 bands over the course of the weekend. Apparently it make Chicago crazy busy with tens of thousands visiting. Grant Park was closed completely without tickets but there is so much to see. We have talked about coming back in the winter to spend the cold months indoors rather than visiting on such a glorious day.
Scott is out taking some night shots of the city and marina while Aiden and I catch up on the computer. It is pitch of night here and it is only 9:00 pm. We are already missing being in the other time zone.
Tomorrow we head down the Illinois River through Chicago. You have all seen those movies or pictures with the tall buildings and the river that meanders through Chicago. So looking forward to the beauty, engineering and controlled chaos that will happen. The river through Chicago is all about the delivery of commercial goods so barges are everywhere.
FYI, the egg mystery has been solved. The two eggs the boys found in Eagle Island Harbour were loon eggs. For the full report please see Aiden on the mainland sometime in late August. Date of the seminar to follow.
