Day 341 Chicago and Joliet

Buckingham Fountain located in Grant Park, Chicago - Gorgeous !!







Cal-Sag Canal junction with the Chicago River








Looking west on the Cal-Sag canal







One of the dozens of industrial facilities on the Cal-Sag downstream from Chicago.









Coast Guard boat downtown Chicago on the Chicago River with 50 Cal machie gun on the bow. This will get your attention real quickly.




Fountain on Chicago River





Chicago Yacht Club, where we had lunch






Us at Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain




Also Grant Park








Bike path along the lake






The Chicago Park District provides miles and miles of well landscaped and groomed bicycle paths away from vehicle traffic and most are along Lake Michigan. There are so many very large beautiful parks including Grant Park and Millennium Park right in the heart of town. There are many artistic sculptures, fountains and waterfalls. It is so easy to travel this City by 2-wheels and of course parking is never a problem. There are many bicycle racks to park your bike, lock them up and continue exploring on foot.

This morning we completed some badly needed boat chores and then hopped on our bikes and headed to the Chicago Yacht Club for lunch. We sat outside under the covered patio adjacent to the Yacht Club harbor and enjoyed the view.

After lunch we continued riding along Lake Michigan to Navy Pier and along the Chicago River. Chicago tourism offers many opportunities to see the City by double deck tour buses as well as many site seeing water vessels on the Chicago River. It is so pleasant to sit on any of the well positioned shaded benches along the river and just people watch.

Today we departed Chicago via the Calumet Sag Channel. Tom decided he didn’t want to risk getting under the 17’ bridge. This narrow, very industrial route took us a little longer with 2 locks and 45 bridges and definitely not as scenic. There are dozens of barge terminals, coal yards, quarries and industrial plants along the Cal-Sag/Chicago River. Certainly not a great photo opportunity, however, the water is flat, no matter what the weather. Tonight we are tied to the free Bicentennial Park wall in Joliet. There is power available for air conditioning which I’m happy about because tonight it is pretty humid.