Heading to Chicago

We reviewed the weather and decided it might be a bit risky but doable to cross Lake Michigan directly to Chicago. We had 95 miles to go to get to Hammond Marina. We idled out the 2 mile channel to the lake. At first the winds were light and the waves were 1 foot or less. As we went further into the Lake, the winds picked up to 12-15mph and the waves were 3-5 footers with a 6 footer thrown in here and there. It felt like we were surfing a few times.

It was neat to see Chicago begin to appear on the horizon. You first saw just a couple sticks out there and then more and more buildings began to show up.

We made it across just after lunch. We refueled and got our slip assignment. When we went to the slip we found a work barge in it so we had to move to the next open slip. It was windy and the marina did not have staff to help with docking. Luckily, another looper boat was there and they helped us get docked. We had stayed up top on the boat during our cruise knowing it would be bouncy, but we realized just how bouncy when we went downstairs!

The next day Chad and Melissa came by on their boat to visit. We had intended to take a cruise with them through downtown but it was too windy to do this. We got a rain check from them so we will be back to make that cruise later.

We will stay here at Hammond Marina for two weeks so we can return to Boone’s Landing and help out over Labor Day Weekend.