Time to leave Chicago!

We never imagined experiencing Chicago as we have. This is a wonderful opportunity, thanks to the generosity of Polly and Bruce. We’ve tried to capture our special moments in our blogs. Stay tuned for blog posts about the architecture, parks, riverwalk and visits with family members Vicki and David, and our friend Tom.

Many have asked – why so long in Chicago? Good question. Captain Pat and the Admiral discussed this very question this morning and came to one conclusion:

“Mother Nature has the final say.”

Those Darned Locks

As you know, the initial reason for staying in Chicago was to wait for the opening of the locks on the river system. We knew the Corp of Engineers was completing repairs of the locks. The AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association) has been leading the charge of corralling boaters to make the exit through the locks. There are an estimated 300 boats doing the Great Loop this year.

Kim Russo, AGLCA Director, requested each Looper boat to submit their first, second and third choice for leaving, beginning October 1, the date of the locks reopening. Captain Pat gave our request as October 16. His reasoning was to let most of the boaters go through before we do. Hopefully by October 16, the glitches are worked out and there isn’t mad chaos of too many boaters.

All good, until Kim announced a five-day delay for the AGLCA flotillas to begin going through the locks, to let the commercial barges through and work out any glitches. This pushed our October 16 date to October 21. Who could have predicted this would happen?

Take the Risk?

Looper friends Doug and Norma needed to get back to California for a wedding on October 14. Doug was not willing to wait until October 6 and decided to go on his own October 1, the first day of the lock opening. He took the risk, and it worked out. In hindsight, perhaps we should have done the same. But we would have missed some great visits with family and friends!

Mother Nature

Then – Mother Nature strikes. This weekend, gale-force storms hit Lake Michigan. The Looper boats stationed in Hammond, Indiana, awaiting their lock opening, had to wait out the storm. This caused another delay – of three days. Better to be safe than sorry!

So – our plans now are to get to Hammond, hopefully Tuesday, October 17. We will fuel up the boat, get a pump out, and hopefully be through the locks a few days later, heading for St. Louis, Missouri.

With sunny skies and warm winds, Chicago is a terrific place to visit. It’s a walkable city with many attractions. We enjoyed it immensely.

However, it is a different story when the weather turns and you see why Chicago is called “the Windy City.”

The Admiral is grateful for the Captain’s vigilant watch of the weather conditions. He always puts safety first. It’s challenging as this boating adventure requires constant strategizing. You have to stay flexible – always. Say a prayer for us as we continue our journey. Stay tuned for our photo under the Gateway Arch of S