Captain's Choice blog: Chicago, IL

Thursday morning we looked at the weather as we decided how we were going to tackle the day. Perfect, 10% chance of rain after a few morning sprinkles, so we decided to do the hop on/hop off double decker bus tour. It takes you to 13 stops around downtown with a tour guide and we figured we would complete the 2 1/2 hour trip and then decide where to get off and explore. Where to get off was a pretty easy decision, as no one told mother nature that it was a 10% chance of rain...it was 100% reality of rain and pretty much 0% chance of sun. At least they give you a poncho when you are on the top deck! We decided to get off at the Shedd Aquarium and resume our ride later. The rain had stopped by the time we exited the aquarium and we went for a Chicago deep dish pizza at Pizano's, very very good! We got back on the bus and took the night tour before going back to the boat.

Sometime during the night the wind changed and came out of the east and the boat was rocking. We were on a mooring ball (best view of the city) and an east wind just isn't as protected here...I was glad Friday was the day we were moving to the marina - it is much more protected. The plus side is I got up early and saw a beautiful sunrise. Friday was also the day we had initially thought we would cross the lake to Chicago...I am so thankful the captain decided to cross on Tuesday...Lake Michigan is one "angry lake".

After moving the boat over to the marina and getting settled we put our walking shoes on again and headed out. The City of Chicago devotes 8.5% of its total land acreage to parkland and its official motto is "City in a Garden". It really is beautiful and well maintained. We commented several times on how clean the city is and how they have managed to create an aesthetically pleasing urban design. First we headed to Buckingham Fountain and then "The Bean", nicknamed because of its shape. The artist did not name the sculpture right away and he hates the nickname so he named it Cloud Gate, but everyone still calls it the Bean. We walked through the jazz festival that is going on all weekend and planned to revisit that on Sunday.

Friday night we met up with fellow boaters Kurt and Dena from Anna Maria that we had met in Charlevoix. They have a Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge also and live in Chicago and hope to do the loop some day. It was great getting together with them over dinner and we hope to see them someday on Lake Erie.

Saturday we headed to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play the San Francisco Giants. Unfortunately the Cubs lost 3-2, but what a great day for a ball game sunny and 75 degrees. We will take the stadium tour once our daughter Allison gets here.

Sunday morning found us biking 8 miles along the waterfront before attending the jazz festival downtown.