Chicago

With predictions for storms on Wednesday, Sept. 11, we chose to leave Racine on Tuesday and go straight to Chicago.  The ride was bouncy in 2-3 footers but we arrived safely in hazy Chicago by late afternoon.  In Our Element, Freya and Sun Gypsy were already there.  The next morning the haze had lifted and the water calmed--no storm!!!

Breakwater entrance to Chicago Harbor

Navy Pier

 Tom and I had a leisurely breakfast ( 4 hour bacon!) and headed to sight see on Michigan Avenue.  Tom's tolerance for that did not last long, so he went back to the boat and I enjoyed the stroll alone.  When I returned to the dock, Cathy and Gary aboard After Taxes had arrived having had a very smooth crossing from Benton Harbor.  We had last been with them in August 2012 at Little Current in the North Channel.  That evening we took a taxi to Halsted Street and feasted on a family style Greek dinner.  Delicious but way too much food!  Still I managed to find space for baklava!

The Pirates!  Judy, Tom, Rick, Gary, Cathy

Canoe sculpture near Navy Pier
Tom commented that it looked like
the aftermath of a week-end on the
Huzzah River!

Entrance to Navy Pier

Thursday, Judy Sheets and her fiance, Rick, came by and we went to lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern on Navy Pier where we ordered "cheezborgers".  We  followed that with a spin on the giant ferris wheel.  Beautiful view on a super clear day!

Cathy and Gary in Ferris Wheel

Harbor view from ferris wheel

After Taxes and Raydiance--buddy boats!

Cathy and Gary are domino players, so the evening called for a game.  The ladies were victorious---by a large margin!  But who's counting?

Friday my Cornell College gang arrived.  Shelley and Ed from St. Louis, Lynn Pier from Holland, MI, Pam Rechel from Portland, OR and Dana Flor from Minneapolis.  Although we have been passing around a chain letter since college graduation, we have only met in person a half dozen times.  Last time was five years ago in Minneapolis.  After everyone arrived, we again headed to Navy Pier--this time to Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack.  Somehow we managed to eat between all the conversation.

Shelley, Pam, Linda, Dana (whistling??), Lynn

We had hoped to go for a Raydiance cruise on Friday, but Thursday night the winds started to howl and did not end until Friday late.  Instead we toured Millennium Park and upper Michigan Avenue.  Shelley's daughter and her husband, Mikeil, were great tour guides.  Tom and Ed escaped from us and went to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Carrie and Mikeil

Cityscape reflection in The Bean in Millennium Park

Our reflection in the Bean

Recreation of Cornell kickline
Linda, Pam, Shelley, Dana, Lynn

Silliness by sculptures in Millennium Park

Friday evening Carrie and Mikeil graciously invited all of us to their home in Skokie where we enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner.  Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, and we were able to take a cruise before everyone had to disperse.  What fun it is when we get together.

Queen waves to the adoring public

Calm water, blue sky, amazing skyline, good friends.
It doesn't get better than this!

Cruising the Chicago River.
Trump tower in the center.

Ken and Barb aboard Loop Dreams arrived at DuSable Saturday afternoon. We had last seen them on the Tenn-Tom in Nov. 2011.  We went to dinner at Uno's, home of the original Chicago pizza.   Usually I am not a fan of thick crust pizza, but this crust was crunchy, not chewy.  It was delicious! One piece was a meal!

Sunday, Missy arrived by train and Rich by car via Ludington fishing trip.  They will ride with us from Chicago to Hoppies at Kimmswick.  Ed and Mary Schultz, Pentwater cottage friends, came for cocktails that evening followed by dinner at Gage.  Again, a wonderful meal.  I see weight watchers in my future!

Rich, Tom, Mary, Ed, Missy