Chicago to Havana via Joliet, Ottawa, Chilocothe

The first photo is locking through with a tow of barges. The second shows some of the white pelicans we saw several places along the way. The third photo shows our group of boats entering the lock from Lake Michigan to the Chicago Sanitary Canal through downtown Chicago. The fourth photo is just after passing under the Michigan Ave bridge in downtown. The last photo is looking down the canal under some of the many bridges we passed under in downtown. One of the bridges is 17 feet above the water and does not open. We were 16' 9", it was a little unnerving to pass under this bridge. We did not get a picture because we were too busy watching the bridge to be sure we would get under it.




We really enjoyed going through downtown Chicago in the river. The buildings were spectacular from the water. Muriel especially enjoyed it since she lived there until sixth grade. After going through downtown the river goes through the industrial area where Muriel's father worked when they lived in Chicago. She remembered some of the roads we went under. It began to rain late in the day and we arrived in Joliet, Ill in the rain. I had replaced a fresh water pump in Chicago and when I checked it for leaks during the run on Monday I saw water misting around the engines. and water driping off a hose at the raw water pump in the port engine. When we arrived in Joliet I asked for the location of a parts store and began walking in the rain. I walked to four parts stores and about two miles before I found the hose I needed. By the time I got back to the boat I was a drowned rat. I replaced the hose and the next day I found that it was not that hose that was leaking but a hose on the starboard engine and the water was spraying over to the port engine and not weting the starboard engine at all. I had this hose onboard and replaced it on Tuesday evening at the marina in Ottawa. This was a very nice, new marina and the manager is a looper from two years ago. He was very eager to please all loopers and sell boaters on the new marina. We received gift packages and a review of his experiences on the Illinois River. They had a reporter and a photographer from the Ottawa paper to cover the evening's events.

The next day we ran to a marina which seemed to be the only one which could handle the five boats we were running with and supply diesel fuel. It was an experience! The marina was a graveyard for old barges and tugs. We learned today when we arrived at the marina for today that the family that owns the marina has a reputation up and down the river for being outlaws.

Today's stop is a very small marina in Havana, Il. The facility is nice but very tight for five boats of our size. Muriel and I walked into town to find the post office and the town is a quaint midwestern town. Tonight for dinner we all shared left-overs and met on the dock for dinner. Good times with good friends.

We have been amazed at the amount of wildlife we have observed along the river. We have seen many bald eagles, deer swimming in the river and along the bank. We have seen the jumping asian carp which have invaded the rivers of the midwest. One area was loaded with white pellicans and ibis. We have passed many barge tows and even locked through with one tow. This is a new experience. We have not delt with tows before now. I guess we will see many more tows from here to the gulf.

We have been separated from most of the boats we were with throughout Canada. Ithaka has hauled out in Chicago to be stored for the winter until Chip and Michelle return next fall to continue the loop. Blue Max has fallen behind because they have stopped near Chicago to visit friends and meet up with family who will travel with them for a while. Southern Comfort is still in our travel group.