Some Work Some Play

It's been a busy 5 days!

 

First of all I need to mention how wonderful it has been to stay at Jackson Park Yacht Club here in Chicago.  We received such a warm welcome when we arrived that we felt like celebrities.  As soon as we walked onto the dock we were told by a member if we need anything just ask and they will help.  Then later a man stopped to talk to us and said how excited he was to meet the Canadians and we must come by later to meet some of the other members.  When we did (Pat, Lynn, Michael, Rene, Harley and I) they opened the bar.  It wasn't long before other members showed up and they had a bit of a party.... for us I think.  Since then everyone has gone out of their way to make sure all our needs are taken care of.  One lady took some of us shopping and another gentleman gave us a bottle of champagne to celebrate our journey. 

 

But, like I was saying, it hasn't been all fun and games.  There was a lot of work to do to get the boats (Folly, Adamant 1 and Sea Mist) ready to enter the river system.  The most important was unstepping our masts.  Believe me that's a big job not to mention it has been 35+ degrees everyday and it was brutal!  Thank goodness it's done now and, trust me, nobody is more relieved than I am about that.

 

Today, now that the work is done, it was time to play.  We took the Chicago transit downtown to check out this fabulous city.  I heard one man say, "if you've been to New York, this is better."  It's a close comparison that's for sure. 

 

Chicago apparently has the tallest skyline in North America.  It's also immaculate with beautiful manicured parkland, gardens...and fountains and monuments.  The architecture is a wonderful mix of new and old, but the best part for me is the Illinois River that runs straight though the centre core of the city. 

 

I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning when we will be heading down that river in our very own boat.....but more about that....next time