The Wet and Windy City

Chicago.

We travelled on down the canal under some very low bridges which, because we had lowered our mast, were able to navigate. The lower end of the canal out of the city became very industrial; banks lined with chemical depots, fuel depots, fertiliser, wood chip etc & the smell & water quality worsened as we continued south heading towards Joliet.Chicago

We arrived late in the afternoon in Chicago chased in by the thunderstorms all around us. We didn't get drenched until the last minute when the dockhands discovered a runabout was tied up in our designated slip & they spent a few minutes working out what to do because they said “we don't have a key”. We suggested they quickly untie it and walk it around to the other side. Good idea. We took a quick walk around our marina area on the waterfront at Burnham Harbour and watched a 5 km 'fun run' go by us in the park as a warm up to the big Bears match on Sunday (local football team). We also had entertainment on both sides from the stadium & a sound shell (summer concerts). Fortunately the music was very good. Chicago has huge waterside parks, sculptures and entertainment venues “ the water front is for the people”.

It rained & rained on & off all day. Between the showers we biked to the Field Museum of Natural History where we ended up for most of the day – seeing Viking exhibits, Mammoths, The Ice Age & an Insects underground exhibit – all about soil where everything had been enlarged to make us seem an insect size – which was very well done. The museum was huge & the weather too wet to venture further. We cycled home and just avoided another down pour.

Next day the rain & wind prevented us from moving about until 1.30pm. We taxied into Navy Pier & did the Architectural Tour on a boat down the Chicago river through the city. The guide gave a thorough and knowledgeable talk about the many buildings, the great fire, the building restrictions & and designs and the famous characters involved.

We later walked on Navy Pier – theatres, ferris wheels, rides, food stalls etc. The 'Venetian Boat Parade' was the attraction with thousands of people there to view the decorated & lit boats. Unfortunately the fierce wind & choppy seas must have deterred many boats because there were only about 10. Our neighbour back at the dock had been decorating his the day before & he didn't turn up for the parade but when we got back to the boat he invited us over to meet his family & friends who were going to be on his boat. A very impromptu party to end the day.

Next day we untied the boat on a sunny, much calmer day and traced the same track down the river through Chicago. It was a Sunday so the river was not full of commercial traffic (tows & barges)& most of the weekenders were probably preparing to go & watch the Bears game. It was leisurely and we knew what we were looking at because of the previous days trip. Chicago has much to see & do & we wish we could have spent more time.

We travelled on down the canal under some very low bridges which, because we had lowered our mast, were able to navigate. The lower end of the canal out of the city became very industrial; banks lined with chemical depots, fuel depots, fertiliser, wood chip etc & the smell & water quality worsened as we continued south heading towards Joliet.