Monday, Sept 15:
Wes got up shortly after 0600 and I got up shortly thereafter. Wes had a board meeting for MTOA and I worked. Then my co-worker Sarah stopped by for lunch. We had a nice visit, then she went back home and I went back to work. Then late afternoon/early evening, Deb and Brownie stopped by for a quick visit and to say proper goodbyes before they made their 3 hour drive back home. It was so good to see them again! We had a later/larger lunch, so we had leftovers for dinner. We relaxed a bit and before we knew it, it was time for bed.
Tuesday, Sept 16:
We both got up right away so we could get going at sunrise. Wes was having some issues with the navigation not updating I think, so we left a little later than planned, but we still shoved off around 0730. We joined our respective bible studies (a little late, but better late than never). It was a very calm day on Lake Michigan. The sun was shining and it was a very peaceful and beautiful day! We arrived at Saint Joe's City Dock around 1330 (just as I was getting on a work call), so it was a little hectic, but we managed. I continued to work while Wes visited with other loopers that were there. After I got done working, we walked over and enjoyed Docktales with a couple loopers, then back to the boat for dinner, a little baseball then bed.
Wednesday, Sept 17:
Wes and I were both awake by 0430. We both stayed in bed on our tablets until about 0600, then we got up and started moving. We shoved off around 0645. Lake Michigan was beautifully calm again! I got a few sunrise pictures, then went inside to work. It was a relatively short travel day as we are meeting up with Wes's old work friend Joe this evening in Michigan City, IN. We got to the marina about 1230 and got all tied up. I still had work, but Wes visited with other loopers as they arrived and did some of his own work. Wes's friend showed up for a visit. Then we hosted some loopers on our aft deck (ew put up a TV and speaker so they could see and hear) to watch as we hosted virtual docktales via the AGLCA (we talked about the rivers system from Chicago to Paducah). After docktales were done, Joe came back, picked us up and we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. Joe dropped us back at the boat. We relaxed a bit then went to bed.
We got up and dropped the lines around 0700 heading to Chicago. It was a beautiful day on Lake Michigan! We had a few stowaways again! Those little birds are definitely not afraid of people. 3 birds flew into the salon while I was on a work call. Wes had to come down and shoo them out. We arrived in Chicago early afternoon. We dropped the anchor in the play pen. I couldn't believe how many people were out on a Thursday afternoon! I finished up work, then we grilled out for dinner and enjoyed the view and nice weather on the aft deck. We stayed out a bit past dark, then went in and off o bed.
Wes was up early again, but I wasn't too far after him. It was "lumpy" as boaters were already out in the play pen. It was 0730 and there was a boat pull a wake boarder (which if you boat you know they throw big wakes). They weren't overly close to us, but they were quite close to the beach where there were already people swimming. Wes called the marina and check in time was 1500. We knew it would be CRAZY on a Friday afternoon (and I had a call that wouldn't end until about 1530, so we decided it was worth the extra charge or an early check in and we went to Navy Pier Marina about 0900. We got secured, then I worked, while Wes took down the mast. After work, a couple of my co-worker and their spouses came down for a visit. We had some smoked cream cheese and beverages on the aft deck, then walked over to Navy Pier for dinner. The food wasn't the best but it was very good company!! We waled back to the boat for one more drink, then they had to head to the train station to catch their train. We relaxed a little then went to bed.
Danielle, Don, Nina, Ryan, Wes and I walking back to the boat after dinner!
Saturday, Sept. 20:
Wes was up by 0600, I was awake but didn't get out of the bedroom until 0630. We had some friends (Sharon and Deb) join us for our trip through downtown Chicago. They got settled while Wes finished last minute items. We shoved off around 0700. It as lumpy even inside the break wall, but we (and Lemonade) got through the Chicago lock and started heading through downtown. It was beautiful!! Going through early on Saturday morning, meant no other boat traffic, so Wes was able to enjoy the views as well. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day!! It rained a little in the afternoon, but not bad. Mike met us at the Joliet wall. We had a landing drink, then Mike drove us all the White Fence Farm in Romeoville where we enjoyed some delicious chicken! It is also somewhat of a museum, so lots of things to look at! Mike drove us back to the boat, and we said our goodbyes. We relaxed a bit then went to bed.
Sunday, Sept. 21:
Wes was awake early again. I woke up and jumped in the shower while Wes did the final prep to take off. He called the lock at 0630 and they said to come now as they had no other traffic. So we texted Lemonade that we were dropping lines soon and heading down river. They were ready and started their engines. As we were dropping our lines another looper was asking if we were leaving. Wes said, yes the lockmaster said to head their way now as they don't have any traffic. He went back and they also shoved off shortly after us. As we approached the lock, they informed us that they had a light boat in the chamber and to get there as fast as we could so we could all lock together. We all got there and made it through. We had good luck with the net two locks as well and made it to Heritage Harbor around 1345. As usual, they were organized and had someone at each slip to assist all three of us to get secured. We hung on the aft deck a bit, then Zach and Juanita stopped for a quick visit. Then we went to Blue Gill Grill at the marina with Scott and Narissa from Lemonade. After dinner we went back to their boat for a bit and visited some more. Then back to Toscana to relax a little before bed.
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