Chicago, Illinois

Chicago was only a 15 mile ride from Hammond. The weather conditions were not ideal but, for such a short distance we decided to go ahead and move. Everything was fine until the last 15 minutes, when we were inside the Chicago DuSable Harbor and a huge rain/wind storm hit. With the help of a marina dock hand we had the boat secured before the worst of it hit. We were lucky!!!

Out of the mist the skyline of Chicago appears. Whether it's Norfolk, Baltimore, New York or a city like Chicago, it's always fun to see the skyline appear coming in from the water!

We took an "Architectural Tour" down the Chicago River of downtown Chicago so that we could just play tourist. We will run ITHAKA down the same route when we leave Chicago, but we may be a little busy and not be able to look at all the buildings like we want.

Centennial Fountain. Dedicated when the city reversed the flow of the river.

Trump Tower

What used to be the Sears Tower. Now it goes by a different name.

Soldier Field

Field Museum

One of the exhibits at the museum was the 1893 Worlds Fair displays. This was one of the reasons for the building of the Field Museum, to house the World's Fair exhibits.

An interesting side note from the exhibit was the fact that several different cultures from various parts of the world were  "invited" to come to the fair and "demonstrate" some of the ways they lived, ate, hunted, etc. Such cultures as the Somoans, Inuits, and several others were basically put on display as "lesser civilized" than the western world. Times have certainly changed. It would not be possible to get away with such things in this PC world today.

You can't come to Chicago without seeing "The Bean" in Millennium Park

Or the Jazz Festival

Or the Navy Pier           

The Loooong Walk out to the end of G dock at DuSable Harbor Marina 

The night before we left Chicago, we were invited to dinner at Woody and Ellen Sutton's condo overlooking Lake Michigan. Woody and Ellen are "Gold Loopers" meaning they completed the Loop (in 2008 & 09) and they host this dinner every year for any "Loopers" that are passing through Chicago on their way south on the inland river systems. Woody is on the left, the Captain of De De is on the right.

Two pretty "Admirals"

View of Lake Michigan from their balcony 

More good times and good Chicago style pizza!

 One of the things Loopers enjoy doing is eating. Especially when it's free!! :-)

Hammond, Indiana

We Docked at Hammond Marina. It is on the same property as The Horseshoe Casino. It is a huge marina and no one was available to help with our lines. It is very inexpensive but, not a stop we would recommend.      

We could certainly tell that we were coming back into the "Industralized Midwest" as we approached the southern shores of Lake Michigan. We had not seen power plants and steel mills (like this one approaching Hammond, IN) for many weeks and miles. It was not a pretty site after being in Canada and upper Michigan for many weeks.

St. Joseph - West Basin Marina

Noting another marina stop on the way down Lake Michigan. We are moving every day. We didn't do any sight seeing , so no pictures. 

Holland MI - Eldean Shipyard

One of the best stops yet. The Eldean Shipyard Marina is family owned. It is a huge complex with very SPA like shower facilities. Also, on the property, is the family owned "Piper" Gourmet Restaurant. The food and presentation were outstanding. 

Web site: www.eldean.com

Marina office with their hanging flower baskets.

Piper Restaurant 

Private shower and laundry facilities.

ITHAKA at rest waiting for the next leg.

Headed back out on to Lake Michigan 

Grand Haven Municipal Marina

Another great Michigan town!!! The best surprise in Grand Haven was the free water and laser light show. The town puts this show on every night. It is located directly across from Grand Haven Municipal Marina. We were able to watch the show, while sitting comfortably on Ithaka's sun deck. 

Ludington

We departed later than usual, waiting for the fog to lift. We traveled from Frankfort, MI to Ludington, MI. We ran purely on radar for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Most of the Michigan Munical Marinas are outstanding, as are the marina towns. 

We has dinner at a restaurant named  Fusion. EXCELLENT!!!

Frankfort Municipal Marina

We left Leland for Frankfort, MI on a cloudy cool day, after breakfast in town. The forecast was for winds 10KTS from SSE waves of 2' or less. It was relatively calm. It remained overcast for the whole trip. We traveled 41 miles today. Total miles traveled equals 2702.6. 

Leland Michigan

A delightfully charming walkable town. There are many stores and restaurants very close to the marina. Leland was historically a fishing village. As that industry faded, the town was quick to adopt tourism as it's new source of revenue. They have very successfully kept the charm, quaintness and buildings of the village and adapted them for use as shops and restaurants. 

The marina is friendly and helpful with all new facilities. A must stop on the loop!

We traveled 36 miles today on water that was mostly flat. We are puzzled by the difference in our comfort level today. The weather forecast and wind predictions were much like the predicted conditions the day we traveled from Mackinaw City to Charlevoix. But, today, no furniture walked across the boat and I could walk not scoot on my bottom. 

 

These are pictures of Fish Town. Once used for the fishing industry now converted into shops for tourists.