Chicago to Harborside Marina...Tuesday, June 14...can I start by mentioning how smooth the water is??? After the day Dakota and I had crossing yesterday, we were delighted. And warmth!!! Finally it is feeling like summer is close. Yesterday in our long sleeves and winter rain gear...today in shorts, sleeveless tops and flip flops. The goal was 55 miles...3 locks...and 70 bridges. The ride through downtown Chicago at 830 AM was delightful. Plus we didn't have to aggravate those worker bees...we were short enough to go under all bridges without requesting them to open. Lots of water taxis and working barges around a couple of construction sights ...and people people people...several took our photos...I LOVE CHICAGO!!!!

Dakota was more interested in supervising my work...and he did manage to "bark" hi to several folks...we were having some fun!!!

and then came the shipping canal...WOW!!! narrow is putting it mildly. Barges parked on one side with just enough room for another barge to get by on the other...at one point we had to stop and back between two parked barges to let a tow and barges get by. Pretty exciting stuff!!!

and then the locks...Tow SAM FLEMING carrying chemicals and pushing 6 barges was in front of us. He was so big he had to break apart, use two passes and then reassemble. Takes more than a little while. We arrived at lock #2 to find two other boats waiting (they told the story) . We waited for an hour and then locked though attached to another tow SYDNEY REESE and 4 barges. We had experienced this before but hadn't had to attach to the barges...so new experience for us.

And now we are all backed up...next lock was a two hour wait. Luckily we found a wall in Joliet just down from lock 3 to tie off and wait. It was an interesting experience. We got to meet the other two boat folks...a mother and 7 very inquisitive young kids...but most important, Dakota could get off the boat and do his business. We walked and played...but it was warm!!!

Finally we locked though and pulled into our marina stop for the night...it was 7:20 pm...we had thought we'd be there around 3....LONG day...we dashed to the restaurant because we were told they closed at 8...no one wanted to cook! Amazingly, they didn't close until 9...and we were joined by Kurt and Jim, future loopers that were part of our crowd in the locks. Service was fast, food was good and overall a delightful experience...but we were hot and tired. And tomorrow is another long travel day...I think they all are for awhile.