Mike and Beth's Adventures

  It was a gray, overcast and drizzly day for our Chicago departure .  As we cruised through town on the Chicago River, the tops of the buildings disappeared in the clouds.  A left turn took us into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.  This was built over a hundred years ago to prevent Chicago River from carrying sewage and garbage into Lake Michigan, the source of Chicago's drinking water.  The 1900's solution was to build a canal to reverse the flow of the Chicago River so it flowed in reverse and it's waters would eventually end up in the Gulf of Mexico.  To accomplish this, a 28 mile canal was dug to connect the Chicago River to the Illinois River, which connected with the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.  Quite a replumbing job!  Not sure the people downstream were thrilled if they knew about it. To insure the Chicago River remained isolated from Lake Michigan, a lock was build at the mouth of the river to further protect...

Chicago! There is nothing like the experience of approaching a major city from the water.  The skyline gradually comes into view on the horizon. It is similar to raising the curtain on a much anticipated theater performance.  You move closer until it's full majesty fills center stage and you just know this is going to be one terrific show as the city gleams in the light. Chicago's opening act was welcoming and peaked our excitement as we speculated on what adventures and experiences awaited.   Touring Chicago with Dick and Emily Our friends Dick and Emily met us at the boat.  We had not seen them in several years and, as they were locals, we looked forward to touring the city with their guidance.  One of the first stops, after a quick overview of the town, was a Greek restaurant for lunch. We then visited a French Market Chicago's Union Train Station Union Station had recently been remodeled.  The architectural details were impressive   Clearly th...