16 August, 2021. Chicago—we are here

 

Chicago—Frank Sinatra
54 SM; 7.3 hours

An amazing day.  Final day of checking weather, winds, wave forecast and wondering how far we could go on Lake Michigan.  No problem today.  Nearly perfect by Great Lake standards.  Smooth start for five hours, then the forecast freshening NE winds kicked in the last two hours made for a rolling and bumpy ride.  All was a go this morning as we untied the lines at 0755 EDT and said goodbye to New Buffalo, MI our last Michigan town on the great loop.  We planned to go about 43 miles to Hammond, IN and either get a marina slip or check an anchorage near Calumet harbor.  Our route hugged the coast as we made a southernly arc along the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan.  It was very smooth as we were in the lee of the SE breezes.  About five miles away from Hammond we rechecked the afternoon weather and tonight’s weather.  All less than 10-12 mph and no rain or storms in the forecast.  We turned directly NW and headed toward a fair weather anchorage near Navy Pier, along Lake Shore drive Chicago.  A two hour crossing of the southern tip of Lake Michigan.  Solid two foot swells on the beam made it rolling but winds stayed below 10 mph and there was not much of wind waves.  We entered the protected Chicago harbor, cruising past Navy Pier and entered the “Play Pen” anchorage.  

Navy Pier

Probably 20 boats here with folks swimming and enjoying pretty clean and clear water on a sunny 74 degree day.  Boating app notes this is the party central on summer weekends with rafting up the norm.  No thanks, we are glad to be here on a weekday.  We dropped anchor in 14 feet of water at 1400 CDT.  (Map). The time zone change caught us unaware.  A bit wavy in the anchorage as boats came and went; tour boats in the harbor and fast boats on harbor side of the breakwater wall.  Should calm down as sunset approaches.  Kim’s anchorage video

Shadows creeping across the anchorage

Tomorrow we relocate to a marina for two days.  Surprisingly, we were able to get a slip at DuSable Marina, which fronts Lake shore drive and is adjacent to Navy Pier.  Very surprised, but sometimes small boats have advantages.  Not the cheapest Marina, but how often will we boat Lake Michigan/Chicago?  We visit grandson Max who just turned two and we have not seen in a long time due to Covid.  We will also get to see the new granddaughter Zoe who turned one month,  Pretty excited.  Between the marina and Navy Pier is the USACE lock which will lock us down from Lake Michigan to the Chicago river.  We will begin that journey toward the Mississippi River via the Illinois waterway on Thursday.

5667 SM traveled, 1992.9 hours hobbs