September 8, 2014 - IN CHICAGO!!!!
Wow, what a fantastic day!  We left St. Joseph this morning around 8:30, fueled up and expected to be taking the shoreline around the lake, rather than crossing directly because of the information our weather app provided.  Once we got out into the lake we decided to try crossing directly, as it was a much quicker trip and if things got rougher we would head for the shoreline and follow that around.  Thankfully, it was a relatively calm crossing.  A few waves, occasionally larger than we would have liked, but we had prepared for a few rough seas by putting things away so we didn't have flying cargo.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and we enjoyed part of the day sitting on the bow of the boat enjoying the increasing Chicago skyline as we got closer.

Like a ghost through the mist, the Chicago skyline appears.

Beautiful and welcoming!!

Our flag identifying the journey

Skipper Jim sitting on the bow with his remote autopilot, enjoying the sunshine.

First mate being lazy and enjoying the view. Notice the iPad on the deck...helping navigate.  Yes, really!!!!

Getting closer, and more excited!

Anticipation growing...almost there! Exhilarating!!!

This truly was a momentous day for us...seems like the trip is really taking shape and we are getting into territory we've not explored by water before.  We are SO happy to be in Chicago and the view from our boat is breathtaking, both by day and by night.  Coming into the inner harbor I felt like the girl on Titanic, wanting to just take it all in! (Definitely not as young, beautiful and graceful, but you get the point.)

After getting settled into our slip at DuSable Harbor, right downtown Chicago, we took a walk and found a wonderful market where we can stock up on the few groceries we need...Mariano's.  Great place, and we decided to eat dinner on their patio overlooking the river.  Yummy!!  Following that little adventure we walked along the river to get a preview of the route we will be taking when we leave the city.  Exciting!!

Dinner overlooking a park...mini Central Park in the heart of the city, surrounded by tall buildings

The river walk along the Chicago River

Many tour boats going up and down the river.

Short stop for a little refresher and toast to our adventure

Check this out!!  Trump tower with the reflection of the city in the background.

Riverwalk on Chicago River

Moon over the Coast Guard Station

Moon over our marina.  Can't capture the tranquility!

By the time we returned back to the boat the moon had risen and welcomed us to the night-life of this charming city. We sat on the upper deck and sipped a glass of wine, enjoying the city lights, full moon and cool evening. Ahhh!  What could be better?!

Full moon over Chicago

Navy Pier

View from the upper deck of Patriot

Looking forward to lunch with brother Alan and sister-in-law Lynne tomorrow.  Every day just gets better and better.  Thankful to be alive and able to take this journey of a lifetime.  SO glad you can join us vicariously through this blog.

It came to our attention today that Boat Beacon showed us in Holland and in Saugatuck, thus indicating our AIS isn't working properly. Another friend reported that he saw us on the Boat Watch app and it showed us in Chicago. We will get it figured out and will post the remedy on the blog.  Grrr!