09/11/23 - 10/10/23 - Racine, WI to Seneca, IL - FINAL LEG

 
SWEET HOME CHICAGO!!
Since June, the Army Corp had been doing extensive maintenance that required the complete shutdown of (3) Illinois River Locks: Brandon Road, Dresden Island and Marseilles.  They opened as scheduled on 10/1/23 but asked pleasure boats to hold off for another 5 days.
  •  Kim Russo, Director of the AGLCA, worked diligently with the Army Corp to coordinate daily lock throughs for Looper flotillas of approximately 16 for 24 days!
    • Almost 300 Looper boats were scattered throughout Southwest Lake Michigan, with at least 75 in Hammond, IN; many that we have cruised/chatted with over the past year.
    • We were scheduled with flotilla #5, locking through on Tues, 10/10//23.
  • We spent 3 weeks going back and forth between home and Racine so we could put our hands on our grandchildren and prepare for life on land.
    • We met our Reefpoint dock neighbors for next season - seems like a fun group.
Thurs, 10/5/23 - Racine, WI to Chicago, IL (54.7NM).  Cap's trusty weather apps indicated this was a good weather window to make our run to the City.  Forecast called for rain, but calm seas.  We left Racine around 9:30 a.m. with partly cloudy skies and mild temps.

  • As we got closer to Chicago, we could see the front hovering on the horizon, so Cap monitored his weather apps and worked the throttles to ensure a dry arrival.
  • Of course, we noted the points of interest along the beautiful western shoreline to include:
    • Baha'i House of Worship
    • Northwestern University, Ryan Field
  • We pulled into Burnham Harbor around 3:00 p.m. and were excited to see Soldier Field literally in our backyard!  Bonus:  They were playing Washington on Thursday Night Football; unfortunately, it was an away game, so the stadium was quiet.  We joined a handful of boaters at Boat Drinks to watch the Bears' first win this season, 40-20!
  • A couple hours before gametime, news of the death of legendary Bear, Dick Butkus, rocked fans.  Perhaps the unlikely win was with the assistance of #51 - RIP.
  • Friday:  I got in a great run ahead of the cold front.  Pretty sure I was training along with many Marathoners that were in town for Sundays Annual 26.2-mile Run.  I was satisfied with my splits - nothing like a little competition to shave a few seconds!
    • I've lived in the Chicago suburbs all my life and worked/played in the City.  The excitement and pride I feel has never wavered.
    • My first 2 miles were along the break wall where I took in the marinas and lots of folks walking, running, riding - it was exhilarating!
    • My 2-mile return was slightly west on the paths through the parks, admiring art installations & monuments that I never knew existed.  I exited at the museum campus, that is too beautiful for words - it has to be experienced.
    • The hotdog vendors were the icing on the cake - or should I say the mustard on the dog!
  • A rain shower produced a spectacular double rainbow over the lake, and across Northerly Island.
  • We splurged on a wonderful dinner at Chicago Cut.  Despite living only 20 miles from the City, we rarely drive in - especially just for dinner.
  • Our weekend at Burnham included:
    • A nice walk along the lakefront to include a delicious Chicago hotdog.
    • Gold Loopers and wonderful friends, Doug & Pat, slip Talisman at Burnham Harbor.  First, they hosted us for lunch and a toast aboard Talisman, then took us for a celebratory dinner at Mia Francesca's! They are so much fun, and way too generous - LOVE THEM!
Mon, 10/9/23 - Chicago, IL to Joliet, IL (38.2NM).  Early departure on cool morning with 3+-ft seas, thankfully more swells than chop, and we only had to go a few miles to the Chicago Lock.

  • Chicago Lock (2-5 ft drop, I wasn't able to confirm) descent with fellow-loopers Current Situation and Ardea.
  • Next, we had to pucker up for a narrow passage under the Amtrak bridge, which was under repair.  Current Situation did a test run on Friday and confirmed that he had about 1 ft clearance.  Port-A-Gee's air draft is similar, but we took the radar down just in case.
    • Thankfully, we made it with a few feet to spare!
  • The remainder of the day was beautiful as we eased our way through the Chicago Sanitary Canal passing through our hometown of Lemont, and surrounding towns.
  • The rest of flotilla 5, that left Hammond (to run the Cal Sag) around the same time we left Chicago. Unfortunately, they got hung up, so our plan to meet and go through the Lockport Lock together was scrubbed.
  • The 3 "Chicago" boats tied up in the Lockport Lock along with 2 delivery captains as we dropped 40' feet to the Illinois River.
  • By 3:00 p.m. all 14 Flotilla 5 boats were tied up to the Joliet wall.
    • Our friends, and Ranger Tug owners (Kat Mat), came down to see us.  They are planning on leaving for their Loop in a couple of weeks.
    • Brian attended the "Captains'" meeting with the flotilla to discuss the plan for the next day.
  • Flotilla 5:
    • Carpe Diem
    • Current Situation
    • Erial
    • GloriaUs
    • Grace
    • High Five
    • Hope & Dreams
    • Pier Pressure
    • Cool Change
    • Red Pearl
    • Blessed Again
    • Blue Mon
    • Pathfinder
    • Port-A-Gee
Tues, 10/10/23 - Joliet, IL to Seneca, IL (30.9NM) 
  • Our very capable Flotilla Leader (Cap. Richard / GloriaUs) contacted Brandon Road Lock to secure 14 boats' 40' descent.  We had a 94-footer that tied up solo on port, the rest of us tied up on the Starboard side with 2 rows of 4 rafted, and 1 row of 5.













  • Dresden Island Lock 34' descent - rafted again similar to Brandon Road:

















  • We cruised with the flotilla for a couple of hours, and then decided to put the throttle down and conclude our epic trip at Springbrook Marina where Port-A-Gee will get a well-earned winter's nap!
  • Springbrook was our starting point in August 2022, so our final Wake Crossing.
Port-A-Gee over and out!

Leg Stats:  
Miles: (123.8NM) 54.7, 38.2, 30.9

Marinas: (2) Burnham Harbor, Springbrook
Free Wall: (1) Joliet
Locks: (4) Chicago, Lockport, Brandon Road, Dresden Island

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