Chicago, IL to Joliet, IL

Miles Traveled 41.8

Total Miles Traveled 6327

Day 357

Approaching the lock between Lake Michigan and Chicago.

Cruising through downtown Chicago, we will pass under 40 bridges within 5 miles.

There were some unique bridges too.

After leaving the city, the scenery changed to heavy industrial for miles.  Quite a change from what we have been seeing the last few months.

We passed through a 1500 foot permanent electrical barrier designed to prevent and slow the spread of invasive fish species (Asian Carp) through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in to Lake Michigan.  The electrical barrier is produced by a generated DC pulse creating an electric field in the water that discourages fish from crossing.

This is a hydro turbine used to turn a generator to produce electricity at the Lockport Lock and Dam.

Chicago, IL Day 2

Tuesday

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 6286

Day 356

We spent most of the day visiting Chicago.

This sculpture is Cloud Gate, nicknamed The Bean, located at Millennium Park.  It is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams.  It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet and weighs around 100 tons.  The design was inspired by liquid mercury and the surface reflects and distorts the city’s skyline. 

The arch is 12 feet tall and the underside is a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections.

We caught a train and visited the city around Wrigley Field.

On the way back, we stopped at the House of Blues, of course Moni had to have her picture taken with Jake and Elwood.

St. Joseph, MI to Chicago, IL

Monday

Miles Traveled 61.5

Total Miles Traveled 6286

Day 355

We had planned to visit a few more towns along Michigan’s west coast, but we had a great forecast to cross 60 miles of Lake Michigan to Chicago and couldn’t pass up the opportunity.  Next week’s forecast includes winds exceeding 15 mph, which makes the lake too rough for these fair weather loopers.  We left St. Joseph Michigan at daybreak with a gentle 4 mph wind at our back.

After a couple of hours or so we lost sight of land in any direction, it took us a little over 7 hours to make the crossing.

We could make out the Chicago skyline about 25 miles out, but took this picture about 4 miles from the harbor.

As we approached the marina, we received a call from “Cat Daddy”, he has been traveling down the Wisconsin side of the lake, we haven’t seen him since Waterford, NY.  We docked in front of a looper we haven’t met yet “Dr’s Orders”, and “Chasing 80” pulled in about an hour after us, they also came down the Wisconsin side of the lake.

We all walked downtown and ate at the infamous Billy Goat Tavern, made popular by the Saturday Night Live skit Cheezborger, Cheezborger, Cheezborger.  After a double cheezborger, we walked around downtown ending up at Navy Pier.  

Saugatuck, MI to St. Joseph, MI

Miles Traveled 45.5

Total Miles Traveled 6224

Day 354

We found a stowaway on board this morning as we were preparing to leave our anchorage.  Normally we try to get rid of any creatures that appear, but figured we need all the prayers we can get to finish our adventure.

He decided to move to the stern as we cruised Lake Michigan, but we haven’t seen him since late morning.   I’m sure he’ll show up when least expected, like when Moni is grabbing a line at the dock.

We arrived at St Joseph and walked to Silver Beach for pizza.  The Whirlpool Compass Fountain is also located here, which sprays water 35 feet in the air to cool off the visitors of the park.

The park also has a carousel with 48 unique carousel figures and two chariots.  Each figure is hand carved and hand painted. 

As we walked through town, we noticed several bugs…..actually they are called Beach Bugs created by local artist.  There are 20 in all, so I snapped pictures of a few of them.

Saugatuck, MI Day 2

Miles Traveled 0

Total Miles Traveled 6179

Day 353

The rain started early this morning as predicted and lasted until early afternoon.  This was a nice relaxing day at anchor planning our next few weeks, making reservations, and watching other boats on the lake.

Three other looper boats arrived and anchored near us, “Over Ice”, “Valentine”, and “Reveille”.

I took a picture of the people on this tour boat taking pictures of us.

This was a high flying tuber, he was holding on tight because I saw the tube upside down at one point.

You can’t have enough eyes watching out for hazards while cruising.

Grand Haven, MI to Saugatuck, MI

Miles Traveled 31.1

Total Miles Traveled 6179

Day 352

Although we were inside a protected break wall, the wind blowing across Lake Michigan all night caused the waves to surge into the river at Grand Haven causing the boats to rock and roll.  We were lucky to be at the marina and secured to the dock, some of the boats were on a wall along the water way and were tossed around so much one boat ruptured a boat fender. 

We left early this morning to catch the northwest waves at our stern as we continued south.  We passed several miles of sand dunes along Lake Michigan before arriving at Saugatuck.

We entered the Kalamazoo River from Lake Michigan and traveled about two miles, anchoring in Kalamazoo Lake.  We took the dinghy across the lake and spent the afternoon visiting the town of Saugatuck.  One of our looper friends told us about this town and described it as Key West on steroids.  It is defiantly a tourist town with shops, restaurants and bars lining the streets and the waterfront.  

Ludington, MI to Grand Haven, MI

Miles Traveled 68.2

Total Miles Traveled 6147

Day 351

We enjoyed our stay at Ludington, were able to get caught up on laundry, changed the engine oil, and had a great time with loopers Kevin and Jill on “Chasing 80”. 

The wind finally calmed down and we continued our way south to Grand Haven, Michigan.  We passed the Little Sable Light.  The design used 109, 1 foot diameter wood pilings driven into the sand, capped by 12 feet of stone as a stout base for the brick tower.  The light, originally constructed in 1874, stands 107 feet tall using a flashing white light flashing every 6 seconds.

The entrance to Grand Haven

Grand Haven is known for its musical Fountain, a synchronized display of water and lights performed every evening at dusk.

On the way to Grand Haven, we received a phone call from Gold Loopers Randy and Sherri from "Priorities".  We met at Green Turtle Bay in 2013 when we were "wana be loopers" and they were just starting the loop.  We have stayed in touch, and met them at Marathon, Fl last February.  They are originally from Holland Michigan, saw we were in the area from our blog, and met us at Grand Haven.  What a great surprise and visit.