We spent 5 days in Chicago where we met up with Bruce and Diane, who will be traveling with us through the locks down to the St. Louis area, about 2 1/2 weeks. We had a great time in Chicago and did a lot of sight seeing. We even, as I always enjoy doing, took a Ghosts and Gangsters walking tour of downtown Chicago. That was very entertaining. Never did see or even come close to seeing any ghosts, but Chicago has a very rich gangster history.
As another anniversary surprise Michael got us a room at the Swissotel in downtown Chicago right on the river. Our suite overlooked both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. What a treat it was to sleep in a bed that was not constantly moving.
We did get to go to Stephanie Izard’s restaurant, Girl and the Goat. It was aaaaaamazing! And yes we did have goat which is delicious. After we thoroughly stuffed ourselves we walked back to the marina, a little over a mile and a half, to work off some of the dinner, instead of Ubering back. It was a long walk but everyone appreciated it as we were not so stuffed when we got back to the boat.
We did take the boat tour down the Chicago River and even got to see the offending Amtrack bridge that is broken thereby not allowing us to travel to the locks via the Chicago River. Yup, it’s a low railroad track across the river. Amtrack says the bridge will be fixed on or around the 19th, thanks, too late for us. The tour was wonderful and very informative. I am kind of glad that the bridge is broken as we got a whole lot more information there than we would have by just floating by and looking at all the spectacular and different types of building architecture.
We had to leave Chicago a day early, due to weather the day we were to travel back to Hammond, so we had to skip Rick Bayless’s restaurant, Lena Brava. Definitely next time. Chicago is a place we may come back to for a month or so just to experience the whole thing. There is so much to see and do here that more than a few days or a week is not enough time.
We got back to Hammond early in the morning, again due to incoming weather, and thankfully we already had our slip waiting for us, and we had the extra hands on board to assist with docking in the wind that morning.
Speaking of wind; HOLY COW!, the weather has been crazy this past week. There were 2 days of temps in the high 80’s and humidity off the charts, then all of a sudden it turned. It is now, and has been for the last couple of days in the 40’s and 50’s! with rain AND crazy winds. We have every line tied every which way and we are still bobbing like a cork in a hot tub. Even though we have 3 forced air heaters on the boat, there is literally no insulation so it stays pretty cold all the time. I did not expect the weather we have had this summer, at all. I have bought so many long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts to keep warm and now I am wondering just what the heck am I going to do with all of them in Florida.
The locks did open on time so Loopers are now slowly moving down the river. There have been a few hiccups, but overall everyone is moving through. We head out on Wednesday the 11th, with our assigned flotilla, to spend the night on the Joliet seawall to hit the first lock very early the morning of the 12th. I am starting to get a little antsy, as I don’t do well with the unknown so my head sometimes starts to spin. There will be several sleepless night while I overthink this. But, on the up side, we have 2 extra deck hands on board so there is hope for a somewhat smooth trip through to St. Louis. Fingers crossed.
We have been contemplating which rivers we will take extra time along and which city we will be going to; Louisville, KY, Chattanooga, TN, or Nashville, TN. Right now I am thinking Chattanooga and possibly Nashville as Louisville is a very long trip up and back down the river, but who knows, depends on time. I am also thinking that I would like to make a right turn when we get back into the Gulf and head to New Orleans and then maybe down the Texas ICW to the end, and back to SW Florida via the Keys. Or then again, by that time I may just be done with this whole thing and want to just get back to Florida and put her up for sale. We have already had a couple of people contact us to ask when we will be back and if we are looking at selling. These boats are very popular Looper boats, in fact, this is THIS is what’s 3rd journey around America’s Great Loop.
That’s all I’ve got for now. The rest of the crew has walked into Hammond for a Chicago Dog. Not really my cup of tea, so I though I would spend this time with all ya all.
Hahahaha! Just got a text from Michael. Seems as though they have run into a little snag in their trip to the hot dog place. Someone put a giant train yard with several tracks and a whole train right smack in the middle of the Google map walking instructions. Go figure. Google!!
Thanks for following along with us and I will catch up when I get a chance somewhere along the upper river and through the locks. Love to all, Mike and Gina
