Chi Town

There is so much to see and do in Chicago it is a bit overwhelming.   Our trip from Kenosha to Chicago on Friday was a little more "exciting" than we had planned for.  It was still a fairly good ride, but some weather developed part way down and we considered changing plans and seeking a closer harbor to get out of the waves.  We took several waves over the bow for the first time since we started the trip.  I guess Lake Michigan didn't want us to miss some big water experience on our last day on the lake as she showed us 4 foot seas for a bit.  Bert says our old boat The Work Zone handles waves much better than Took the Plunge does.  Fortunately the lake calmed back down and we continued on safely to Burnham Harbor in Chicago.

Here in the harbor on the next dock there is a 190 foot privately owned vessel named Blue Moon.  It has three tenders including a 29 foot restored Riva.  It holds 14,000 gallons of diesel and 8,000 gallons of fresh water.  It has crew quarters for 16 crew members in 8 staterooms.  It has 5 staterooms for guests, a Star Trek elevator and two gymnasiums.  After dusk last night its lights were on and it was just as beautiful as the Chicago skyline at night.  Bert did some research on the web last night to learn a little more about it which is why some information about it can be shared.

Blue Moon

Yesterday afternoon we visited Navy Pier and Hilary is now registered rather unexpectedly for the 16th Annual Chicago Half Marathon that will take place on Lake Shore drive tomorrow.  The package pick up and expo was going on in exhibit hall B and we wandered in "just to take a quick look".  ha!

I'm a sucker for the free shirt and finishers medal

Art outside entrance to Navy Pier - yes those are all full size canoes!!!

Bert's "must see" list included the Chicago Bean made of stainless steel.  After completing our visit to Navy Pier, we set out to find the bean.  It really is quite amazing to see.  I liked how all the surrounding buildings reflected off of it.

Chicago Bean

Bert, BMX & Bean

Today we set out to locate the Metra station to get to the start line of the half marathon.  Since train boarding will be at about 5:30 am it seemed like a good idea to find the station today. Just as we were leaving the marina to find the Metra station, in front of McCormick Place there was a man flying around with a water jet pack.  We watched him for about 15 minutes in amazement.  Sometimes he would get at least 30' up in the air and it seemed sort of like Iron Man for the water.  Not pictured is the jet ski that followed him around as he flew.  It seemed like the pump for the jet pack was attached to the jet ski somehow and then the big orange hose ran from the jet ski to his jet pack.  Now this is something you don't get to see everyday.  We were suspicious that an expensive toy like that might be a part of Blue Moon, pictured in the back ground.

Flying man!

Once the flying man stopped flying and we found the Metra station, we headed for the Magnificent Mile for a day of window shopping and a nice lunch too at an Italian restaurant on Rush street.  We rounded out the day by attending the Vigil Mass at Old St. Mary's Catholic Church which happens to be the oldest catholic parish in Chicago.  Their chapter of the Knights of Columbus has a charter number of 185, which means it is the 185th chapter founded in the United States.  It is an old one.  Tonight is a quiet evening on the boat with an early bedtime because tomorrow will be full of another day's adventures.  It is race day!!!!!  And don't forget about that Bear's game.  There will be tailgating to go to since the parking lots for tailgating are right here at the marina.  Today we learned it is the Chicago Bears season opening home game.  We watched the yellow stripes being painted on freshly top-coated parking lots for tailgaters just this morning when we were riding our bikes around trying to locate that Metra station.