9/10-9/15 Illinois River

The Illinois River ended up being much more interesting after leaving the more industrious area near Chicago. 

On the the 12th we were at our western most part of the trip (90 38.30'). We anchored off of Buckhorn Island

 to take Shaina ashore to do her 'thing'. There we met some locals who we became fast friends with. 

We continued on to Grafton IL  the next day and spent a couple of days relaxing.

 Grafton is a small river town that has reinvented itself.  Despite some severe floods, it still has some of the original buildings including the Ruebel Bar where patrons went into the burning building to save the bar. 

The Grafton Harbor marina is huge. All of the docks covered and uncovered, the restaurant 

and drumming pool float. 

As soon as we left Grafton we were on the Mississippi. 

Progress to date 9/13

As of Friday, September 13th,, we've traveled 1,866 nautical miles

On the river....

We left Chicago on the 5th and began the long river part of our trip.

We started on the Chicago which was exciting (dodging tour boats, etc. )

We eventually made it to the Illinois River

We had to pass a half mile electrified stretch of water. (It's electrified to stop the encroachment of Asian carp)

We spent a night tied up to a wall in Henepin IL watching tugs and their barges go by. 

Progress to date: September 9th

We've now been on our journey for over 2 months.  We have over 1700 nautical miles behind us and with many more to go.

Here is a map showing various key places and dates.

8/30-9/4 Chicago

Chicago was a blast. Approaching from Lake Michigan is magical. Felt the same way Dorothy must have felt when she first saw the Emerald City. 

We stayed at  DuSable Harbor while there. 

DuSable is right next to the Columbia Yacht Club who has the neatest clubhouse ever 

Our timing was perfect. The weather was perfect. We went to Grant Park and took in the Chicago Jazz Festival. 

We walked about and took in all of the sites of downtown Chicago.  

The 'bean' was really cool. 

While Loretta went to 

Denver to greet Logan who was returning from Afghanistan, I spent time with my cousin Joe. I even went on the CTA around the other Loop 

8/29 Saugatuck

We had a great 2 day window where we ran from Saugatuck to Chicago via Michigan City, IN

The last couple of miles we had about a quarter mile visibility through the fog. 

Using both radar and our horn, we made it safely. 

8/24-28 Grand Haven

Between poor weather and boat stuff, we spent a few days in Grand Haven. 

We met a couple of 'angels' literally and figuratively; Jim and Sharon. They are platinum loopers. (Means that they have done the Loop at least twice.). Jim drove us around to Walmart and a blueberry farm. 

One evening we went for a walk off the marina property. The dunes here are gorgeous. 

Loretta and I got some great photos along the breakwater at sunset. (The ones of the. 6-7' waves crashing didn't come out well)

The one of the kite boarder did

8/18-20 Frankport

We continued our way down along Lake Michigan and stopped at Frankport MI. 

While it's a small town, we found a number of great places to eat including Cru, a wine bar with a good selection of wines and small plates. 

Because of high winds and waves, we were weathered in for a few days. 

We went to a nearby beach and watched the wind surfers going down the coast and the 6' waves crashing on the breakwater.