Chicago to Joliet

Entering Chicago via the river.

Trump Tower, 2nd highest in the city

Study this one, nice reflection eh?

Super cool geometry

Civic Opera house (better in person)

Willis (former Sears) Tower on Left

Nice architecture!

Great counter weight  shot

Cool Geometry

Down river.

First, as we implied in the 'Chicago' blog entry: If you get a chance to take a boat tour (Architectural or Historical), please do it.  You will not regret the experience.

We departed Chicago at 7:30 AM for the long anticipated 'River System' of the Great Loop.  Wow!  What a start.  Chicago and its river and buildings were most impressive.  After taking the Twilight tour, and then making our way down the river is hard to describe, the excitement.  We were simply in awe.  I tried to go as slow as possible to gain as many views as possible (plus take pictures).

The pictures speak for them selves.

As we continued further down the "CHICAGO SANITARY Canal" it was very evident why it is called that name.  Smelly, debris laden waters.  Chicago prides itself on its Lake Michigan waterfront, (and they should).  But what they send down river seems wrong.

The canal is quite narrow, and it is lined with huge cement  blocks, creating a back wake from boats.

We waited 4.5 hours at Lockport lock (I hear you) for a 14 barge tow to come upstream.  It had to lock 7 barges, then go back for the rest.  This tow was one of the largest to go through in many days.
The size, control and power of the tows are very impressive.

As we made further progress, we entered the '10 Miles of Hell'  meaning nothing but tows and barges.  Some going slow, some we could not pass, others we passed but were nervous in the process.

I made radio contact with a couple of operators, and it was great fun learning about them.  They were moving: Bark (a lot), Coiled Steel, Scrap Steel, Rocks, Sand, Gravel Etc etc.

We entered Joliet much later than expected, stayed on the free wall (free means you can stay free, and are free to sleep if you can stand the noise of the tows and bridges operating all night).

The Electric Fish Barrier was a non issue, except we put daisy in the cabin and closed the doors, and wore life vests, and we had to announce our entrance and exit to the area.

Daisy waiting for mom and pops

Daisy is doing extremely well, she had to get on the top of back cabin , then walk on an inclined ramp set on crumbling cement to then crouch under a guardrail to get to take a pee.  GOOD GIRL!!!!

All is good.  Good Bye Chicago.....  You were most awesome.