21 Sep 17

The boat yard was up and active at 07:00, so we got up, too; not to mention the fact that the trains next door and road bridge overhead kept the noise level at 75 - 85 dB and made sleep essentially impossible. The mast was un-stepped by 08:40. Then, we spent 2.5 hours removing wind instruments, radar reflectors, spreaders, gathering all the shrouds and stays, wrapping sensitive points with foam rubber and carpet, and otherwise prepping the mast for transport. We had done all we could do by 11:00, and decided that we would depart this noisy place for more commodious accommodations; i.e., we motored back to Chicago and took a transient berth at the Columbia Yacht Club, as close as one can get to the middle of Chicago on a boat. It was HOT today (93F) and we have decided we are not taking the mast down again, unless something breaks - it is way too much work. After we pulled into the yacht club at about 14:30, we went straight up to the (air-conditioned) bar, enjoyed a beer and a wine, respectively, and the cool until about 16:30. The YC is housed in the “Abegweit”, a former Canadian ice-breaking ferry that was purchased by the YC at the end of its working life in Canada. Really nice facilities inside the “Abegweit”; this is a ~400 ft long boat, so no small set-up. After a refreshing shower, we went back to the YC bar and enjoyed an excellent meal and the bonhomie of the yacht club members. At present, we plan to stay here through Saturday night and head through town on the Chicago River on Sunday morning.

41-53.025’N, 087-36.729’W; Log = 12.8, Sum (2017) = 2143.6 N-m

22 Sep 17

After our exertions of the last 2 days, it was hard to get out of bed and we did not fight the inertia too hard. However, the Art Institute of Chicago beckoned, so we walked on over there in the late morning and spent the next four hours or so roaming around and pretending to be impressed by the art. Actually, they have an excellent collection of traditional, modern and contemporary art, including a number of Georgia O’Keefes and a bunch of Remingtons, both paintings and sculptures (bronzes). Most of the contemporary art is beyond (or above) me, but I was able to express my dismay at the several Cy Twombly pieces they had on display; even Chicago has been taken in by this con. Ah, well. The city of Chicago set a new record today for the hottest temperature - 92F - ever recorded on this date. After the art institute, we strolled around Millenial Park and visited the Bean again. Back at the YC, we went straight into the bar for a refreshing, cold beverage and a rest under the air conditioning. After a shower, we went back into the bar for an excellent dinner and a nice chat with several of the YC members, all while watching the Astros beat the LA Angels 3-0.

We also learned the sad news that Gus, the father of our dear friend Laurie, passed away early this morning, exactly one year to the day after his wife Anne, passed away. Another life well-lived; long rest, Gus.

23 Sep 17

It was hot again when we woke up, but the YC is alive on a Saturday morning; the Optimist fleet is housed on the dock right next to us, so there were a few dozen young kids getting their boats ready for the day’s regatta - very exciting stuff. We spent a bit of time after breakfast tidying up the boat, then went for a big grocery shop at Marciano’s, about a half mile away. After we staggered back to the boat with a few day’s worth of provisions, we walked over to the Navy Pier and rode the 200 ft diameter Ferris Wheel, which was mercifully air-conditioned inside each car. The anchorage on the south side of the Navy Pier t had about 150 boats anchored in it, with everybody out swimming, drinking beer and listening to loud music; there was not a single boat in it Wednesday morning when we came through on our way from Evanston to Calumet. We had a beer on the pier and fell into conversation with a Brit from Maidenhead. On the walk back from the pier, we detoured west along the first half mile or so of the river walk, then stopped back by Marciano’s for some more provender. Back to the boat for happy hour and dinner in the YC again; last night on the lake and in the YC. South into the rivers tomorrow.