CHICAGO...

October 2 - 5, 2023




Leaving Michigan City, we were again blessed that Lake Michigan was kind to us.  Smooth sailing into Chicago and the Lake was like a lake!


Danny and I have visited Chicago in the past so some things we did not plan to repeat.  Once we got situated at the Burnham Harbor marina, we got an uber and took off to go uptown.  We had eaten at a Vietnamese restaurant, Le Colonial, about 15 years ago and decided to go to lunch there.  When we arrived, I thought I did not remember the name correctly because it was not the same place.  When I asked, they told me they had moved about 3 years ago.  It was SO GOOD!  We walked along downtown shops and the Chicago River since we won't be traveling this way.  One of the people from Chicago sent the Loopers places to go while in Chicago.  In addition, I had saved articles about unique things in Chicago.  The first evening we found an Italian restaurant on the Chicago River called Pizza Portofino.  Another great place and very busy, we enjoyed sitting at the bar and drinking Lemoncello Spritz!  A couple next to us started talking to us and found out they have friends starting the Great Loop later this year.  They too hope they will do it in 10 years.  Following this, while walking, we went by the Tribune building where the base has had stones from all the world incorporated into its base.  We never realized this before.  


Danny and I then found a rooftop bar, London House, with plans to see the sunset.  While we stayed there, it was getting quite crowded and decided to walk back.  One of the interesting things to see was across the street from the Art Museum at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street is the start to the historic Route 66.  


Unfortunately, due to the Amtrak train being down and anticipated time to repair is 2-3 weeks, we will not get to travel down the Chicago River through downtown.  Last year when Danny and his brother brought the boat down, they were able to do this.  Enjoy the pictures from their trip.  And here is the culprit, the Amtrak Railroad Bridge actively used for transportation of goods and people.  This was built in 1915.


                      



Walking around town, we saw the beautiful water tower built in 1869 supplying water to the city of Chicago.  The building and architecture of the buildings are amazing as well as are their reflections. 





Burnham Harbor Marina was very close to Soldier Field (Dick Butkus #51- Rest in Peace) and the Field Museum with exhibitions on natural history throughout the world.  The night before we left, the local soccer team had a match with the Florida team that has the famous player, Messi.  Apparently 62,000 tickets were sold in a few hours and then of course Messi was injured.  Not sure if he was there, but there were lots of people there.

                                                          

We took an uber out to University of Chicago.  I never knew the campus was so large.  The undergraduate classes amount to 7500 students but graduate students make up about three times as many students.  It was an absolutely beautiful place and the school is celebrating its 125th birthday which was founded by John D Rockefeller.  I wanted to see the Rockefeller Chapel which was the last gift of John D Rockefeller to the school.  The important thing about this chapel is there is no steel in the construction.  It is all stone with stained glass windows and absolutely beautiful!  On the campus was a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright which is called the Frederick Robie House.  Unfortunately, no tours were given the day we were there.  On the way back to the marina not far from University of Chicago, we passed the Obama Library that is very close to the university.  It is expected to open in early 2025.

                                                      
                                      

                  



We took Ubers everywhere we travelled and learned a great deal from our Uber drivers. 

  • One was from Kazakhstan and had been in the US for 4 years.  He was a Russian translator before he came to the US.  We learned from him if you are a foreigner, you have to have a year driving experience to drive for them, if under 25 years of age, 3 years of driving.
  • One was a translator in Afghanistan to US troops and did this as a side job while he did IT work.  He told us he was going back to Afghanistan to hopefully get some of his family over here.
  • An older gentleman who sold real estate with his wife had lived here his entire life.  We asked about the market and said selling had slowed a little.  What was interesting was renting properties.  He told us this time of year, owners are hesitant to start a rental with someone.  The reason was some people slack off paying about the 3rd month and the Cook County Sheriffs Department will not evict someone until April 15th due to the weather.  
  • Another gentleman, nice guy, was a substance abuse counselor and works in the drug courts in Chicago.  He does Uber on the way to work and the way home to make extra money.  Lived there his whole life with a son in Washington state.  Said he had a granddaughter by his son who was murdered at age 22- wrong place at the wrong time.  He did not dwell on it but said he was glad his other son got out of Chicago.
Both the gentlemen said they do not do any driving at night.  Danny asked where were the bad areas not to travel.  They both said used to be the south side but they said really anywhere now.  I took a big gulp.  It is sad because it is such a great city with parks, beaches, the water, stores, and renown restaurants.  Just seems very sad.  The restaurants we enjoyed were Monteverde(Italian-outstanding), Le Colonial(Vietnamese- fantastic), Frontera Grill(Mexican-great), Jaleo(Spanish-great), Pizza Portofino(Italian-wonderful), London House Rooftop Bar(great views), and Gipson Steakhouse(highly recommended, very disappointing).  The pictures are from the rooftop bar and Frontera Grill with Roxanne and David.



Our entertainment included going to the Merchandise Mart which has everything you would need to look at if you were building a house- furniture, tile, wood, cabinets, on and on.  All beautiful stuff to see while window shopping.  We also did a night at Second City which is a comedy show where a number of people of Saturday Night Live got their start.  One of the sailboats on our dock had Mr Bill tied to his anchor, speaking of Saturday Night Live!

Also at the marina, we noted a number of sailboats with the name SailTime on the side.  This is apparently a business that sells interval ownership for sailboats.  Danny spoke to one of the couples.  The time frame is May though end of September but Danny didn't ask how many weeks during that time do they get to use the boat.  We assumed maybe they take them to Florida in the winter and also rent them there.  A marker on one of the Bridges crossing the Chicago River states the French came in 1673.



Lastly, one of the building I always love to see when I come here is a condominium building, which has cars parked where you can see them appearing to have no wall.  In addition, below street level, people in this complex have their boats ready for them.  I think it is amazing!


Danny and I now enter the final phase of our Loop as we travel down to Kentucky.  We will cross a number of locks, rivers, and bridges.  This course should take about 2 weeks assuming no disruptions on the rivers or with the locks.

Next up... Dealing with Locks and getting to the Mississippi River

Locks 133
 Bridges Openings  51


TOTAL MILES TRAVELLED  5,129.55 miles
TOTAL DAYS  323
TRAVEL DAYS  122
 








 

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