18 Sep 17

Fall is in the air; no air conditioner last night and we were piling on the blankets before dawn. It was cool and clear at daybreak and the forecast light NE wind was there as predicted. We got going by 09:30 and had a gentle motor-sail to Waukegan, IL; another state line crossed. The Chicago skyline is visible off to the SSE, but Waukegan feels more like bandit country. After we got tied up at the Waukegan Harbor South Marina, just after 13:00, we walked into town to look for groceries and hardware. What we found was a string of Hispanic grocery stores; no disrespect intended for my Hispanic hermanos, but it was like we were back in Houston. There was more Spanish being spoken in “downtown” Waukegan than English; who woulda thunk. It is a bit of a food desert, I have to say, in terms of fresh produce. Only one bar (and a bit shady looking, at that) and not a single restaurant did we pass during our 2 hour walk, other than McDonalds and Dunkin’ Donuts. When we got back to the boat, I got a coat of varnish on the starboard toe-rail. Then, we had happy hour and dinner aboard. Tomorrow, Chicago.

42-21.445’N, 087-49.298’W; Log = 24.4, Sum (2017) = 2085.2 N-m