We have had a wonderful time cruising down the west side of Lake Michigan. On Thursday, August 21, we decided, after getting out of our slip in South Haven and starting cruising south, that the wind and waves were favorable to cruise across the lake from South Haven to Chicago. It was a fairly comfortable cruise and Barbie even played Irish flute for about an hour.
80 mile passage across Lake Michigan
After 6 hours of cruising and 54 miles, we could see the skyline of Chicago about 10 miles away. We were surprised that we did not have phone or internet coverage until we were about 7 miles from Chicago. All through rural Canada and the west side of Lake Michigan we had coverage.
Landfall at Chicago
We stayed two nights in DuSable Marina which is close to Navy Pier. We were very close to the skyscraper residence buildings in Chicago's New East Side. We experienced cultural shock after we tied up in our marina. All of the tall buildings and traffic was very different than the small towns we had been in for two months.
That evening we took a walk to a grocery store which was only a block away. However, because of the three dimensional nature of the neighborhood, we had to walk through tunnels under construction, ascend stairs, navigate through parks, and finally arrive at a the Mariano's grocery. That store, too, was arranged vertically. After finding the upstairs, we had a much needed meal at their hot foods area.
DuSable Marina with Navy Pier in background
The next day we took an Uber to Ballast Point Brewery for lunch. Then we took an Uber to Navy Pier, where we enjoyed a theater production of Wizard of Oz at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Uber ride to Ballast Point Brewery
Chicago Shakespeare production of Wizard of Oz
That evening we had a lovely sunset dinner in the Cite Restaurant on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower on Navy Pier and we rode the Centennial Ferris Wheel on Navy Point.
View of marina from Cite Restaurant
We were served Bananas Foster at Ceti Restaurant
Gorgeous sunset view from the restaurant
Evening ride on the Centennial Wheel
We enjoyed our two nights and one day in Chicago. Friday morning we left the Marina by 9:15 and were on our way to experience the locks and rivers of Illinois. Our first lock was a little bit stressful since the wind was blowing and the line to hold was very short. We did make it through the lock and began going on the Chicago River through downtown Chicago. We had a few commercial boats but it was just like staying in line with a car during rush hour traffic.
Chicago harbor lock - bouncy from wind and wave action
New East Side from the Chicago River
Passing under Dearborn St
Looking up at Marina City 1967 iconic buildings
Lake Street with Elevated Train
Very busy barge terminal near Lemont, IL
However, just after lunch, as were going past barges full of gravel or sand we noticed a barge and tug that was crosswise in the river and blocking the river. Jeff radioed the tug and we were told that two barges had gotten loose but they would have them under control soon. Then we saw another tug coming out of a side channel. At this point we could see from our AIS several tugs that were moving. It turned out that we were told to tuck in between moored barges and wait for one tug to pass us and then follow another tug going our direction. We were having to use our engines to try and stay put with the wind and the current pushing us. Eventually we tied to one of the stationary barges.
Tied up to a barge waiting for traffic
We waited for barge traffic to pass
It was a bit stressful, but Barbie was doing a good job of avoiding the wall and the barges and the tug. There were three tugs and several barges that were involved and three PC (Pleasure Crafts) staying out of the way. It was getting all sorted out, Barbie was following one of the tugs when another PC was coming toward the tugs, barges and the other PC. This PC was coming fast and causing a large wake. He did NOT slow down and passed us and gave us a wake. This was a very exciting and stressful 30 - 45 minutes. We came out of it OK but it did give us some excitement.
Descending in Lockport Lock near Joliet IL
The next lock we went through was very uneventful although it is about 40 feet deep. After getting through the lock we had less than five miles to go to the free Joliet City wall. We enjoyed a lovely diner at the MyGrain Brewery.
Joliet IL -- Mygrain Brewery at Union Station
Tomorrow we will travel about 40 miles and go through 2 locks to Spring Brook Marina near the first of the two locks that are under construction with long delays.
