St Joe to Chicago - Stowaway onboard!!!

 We attempted to depart early from St Joe, had the engine warming up and removed the springer line, and was maintaining the bow for casting off the bow lines… When a neighbor said the Railroad Bridge was closed.  We shut off the engine, and recleated the bow line.  We waited with four other boats.  We decided to try to hail the bridge operator, got him, and he indicated that there was some maintenance needed. BUT he said he would open the bridge. So we departed about an hour later than planned.

The weather for the crossing from St Joe to Chicago was Fantastic.  Flat water, visibility was 24 miles +, and full sun and about 74 degrees.  Nice!  

We could smell the steel mills south of us, and could see their exhaust gasses (pollution? )in the sky.

It was exciting to see the Chicago skyline get bigger and bigger, clearer, and clearer.

We are staying at Dusable Harbor.  We are right near Navy Pier.  Awesome location

The stowaway was a finch of some type (let me know the exact type of bird).  She was awesome to have for this portion of the trip.  She ate many many insects, basically cleaned the decks.  She was not afraid of us, and actually was in the main cabin for a few minutes, and simply went around the entire boat eating her way (fun to watch).