The Great Loop
This web site is an attempt to provide a quick and easy way for our family and freinds to keep up with us on "The Loop"
The Great Loop is a 6000 mile jouney down the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile, Alabama. From there around the coast of Florida via Key West with a side trip to the Bahamas. Back to the coast of Florida we head up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay. From the Chesapeake we continue up the east coast through New York Harbour, up the Hudon River, and across the Erie Canal. Through a series of canals we go across Lake Ontario into Canada. We will spend a month in Canada. Back to the US, we will cross Lake Michigan to Chicago. Following the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers back to Tennesse.
LOOP CLOSED: 8/12/09: 310 days, 6170 miles, 107 locks, 3 countries, 16 states, 85 different marinas, 10,050 gallons of diesel fuel, thousands of photos, countless new friends, and priceless memories...
We left Chicago Monday 7/27 to head down the Illinois River. Because of our height (19'6") we were not able to take the boat thur downtown Chicago but had to use the Calumet River/Canal. This is a very industrial and commercial waterway.
This is the "famous" 19.1' bridge. This is a fixed RR bridge (the lowest clearance on The Great Loop). We are 19.5'!! Before we left home we had our satellite wing hinged so we could get down to 18'. As it turned out, the water level at the next lock was lower than normal pool and we cleared by 18".
After missing a lock opening by 10 minutes we had to wait 90 minutes for commercial traffic to clear. This also
delayed us making a restricted bridge opening in
Joilet giving us another 60 minute wait. This, plus another 30 minute wait, meant we stopped for the night at
Harborside Marine. A long day from 8:30 to 7:30 to cover 60 miles and 3 locks plus several draw bridges.
Back to the big commercial locks like the Tennessee River except bigger and lots more commercial barge traffic.
At
Harborside Marina they had these "floating condos."
Up early Tuesday morning to go only 1 lock and 20 miles to
Spring Brook Marina. They are a large Carver dealer where we will have some service done. Lynn leaves to go back to Knoxville for a "grandchild fix."
Some friend of friends are going to join me to bring the boat down the Illinois, Mississsippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers to Pickwick, TN. Pictured are Don, Michele, Chris, and Dick. As I told Lynn it takes 4 people to replace her! 1 or 2 of them will go with me then switch with the others along the way (about 800 miles).
Lynn will rejoin me at Pickwick to bring the boat back to Knoxville. We plan to be in Knoxville by Labor Day for the first UT game. GO VOLS!
Entrance to
Shedd Aquarium...We watched the water spew into the air and all the kids play and wade as it hits the ground. We did not go to the aquarium, but it is suppose to be
awesome......again a great example of the art in the city and all the green space......
Monroe Harbor... and an even more spectacular view at night.....as the wind blows and the gentle clanging of the halyards...almost sounds of some ancient tribe....ha
Art Institute of Chicago.... You can make a full day of this one! Monet was one of my favorites! Grant Wood did the American Gothic................Picasso was also amazing! Ancient tribal art as well....we did this in two hours...was really not near enough time. The museum itself is almost 200,000 sq ft......Some of the more contemporary exhibits....I was teasing Jerry .....said we should just have our
grand kids do some art for over our mantel......although I do believe theirs would be much more meaningful.....I know art is in the eye of the beholder....but I truly think I should frame the back of my phone book where I doodle all the time........................
hee hee
Millennium Park...
Again, the art in the city.........is just......just.......can't find the adjective.....We happened upon the Chicago S
ymphony...as you can see below.....free to everyone...in the park .......couples shared a bottle of wine.....families has brought their tent for their little ones.....and all sat, munched, drank and enjoyed....MUSIC.....gosh do we all need to stop the wheels of life and just listen.....It can take you away.....as these talented musicians play..............
Chicago Symphony...You would think the sound would not be top notch outdoors.......think again......look at all the speakers from the structure above.....the quality of the music was ....almost as good as my
ipod.
Navy Pier.... Long ago was a naval facility......turned amusement park, restaurants, and crowds abound.......All on the water, the charter boats are there, as we walked we saw a wedding party boarding one of the larger
yachts......We made it to a nice little restaurant and sat outdoors...as we always do ...and enjoyed the weather and people watching........Many families....and Chicago is very diverse.....as you walk you hear as many as 3 or 4 languages ............ The world has become just one large neighborhood...................
Field Museum... T
urner and Brett....check out the
dinosaur........He was LARGE.............Again no time this trip....we will save this one until you are with us..............................
As I talked to one of my girlfriends in Knoxville, she reminded me of the American Girl Store....It was in
Watertower Place....a large shopping mall with 7 floors and many water features throughout.........My grand daughter Kinsey has become a big fan....she got Julie for Christmas last year and has enjoyed her so.........Therefore......being the good
Nanna that I am....I just had to go....I got so excited.....you could not believe this store.....I called Kinsey and told her what I was seeing .........had to do a little shopping....but next time you will just have to be here
too.....................
Nike Store...Jerry went to the Nike Store and took this photo.....Guess I need to go back for Turner and Brett..........Interesting hey????
Michigan Avenue... Again the
pretty , clean, well landscaped streets.......just so much to do ..........
Tribune Building... This photo does not capture how
awsome this building is............very Gothic...........
Water Tower...
View from John Hancock Tower... One of the tallest buildings in Chicago....we went for a drink and snack......There is a fine dining restaurant and a bar...........both have perfect views of the city and water........
Street performers... .....were
thru out the city..........The
Venetian Festaval is this week end.......Their buckets for tips said........."Drop in Money to Activate"..........They were really very good......
Chicago River.... We would have loved to
taken the boat down this.......but the bridges would not allow that.........with a
height of over 19 feet......we would have done a little damage.ha
Venetian Festival Boat Parade...This was hilarious........The theme was Hollywood............ the boats were all lit up .....Some had really gone all out....Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Pirates of the
Caribbean, and many more.....the music was loud and made its way
thru all the crowds......as once again....people sat, laid, anchored, rode bikes.......some there all day...........
Chicago is really rallying around the 2016 Olympics being here.........great place for them.......Maybe it will be selected as the city..............we hope so............we can come back......
The wind was catching
Marilyn's head below..........we almost lost her off the bow of the boat as the wind gusts around the corner.....................
Below............
Gilligan's Island.....as they sang the theme song everyone cheered......................
Fireworks over the harbor...As the night ended.............FIREWORKS.............FIREWORKS............and more FIREWORKS..............
Night skyline...We tried to capture this for you.........over 1,000 boats in the
Burnham Harbor Marina that we are in ..................nice marina
On our way back.......just looking across the water.......we tried for a few shots......Fantastic City...CHICAGO......you have stole our hearts........I am going to find one of those "I LOVE CHICAGO " tees......................Today is Sunday and our one year anniversary......Jerry made reservation for a musical and dinner...........will post it later.....LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL OF YOU.....we miss you.
Today was a 90 mile ride across Lake Michigan from Saugatuck, MI to Chicago. The trip got smoother as we got closer, but not a bad ride.... Here is the Chicago skyline as we approach...
We will be here 3 nights so lots more pictures to follow...
After missing a lock opening by 10 minutes we had to wait 90 minutes for commercial traffic to clear. This also delayed us making a restricted bridge opening in Joilet giving us another 60 minute wait. This, plus another 30 minute wait, meant we stopped for the night at Harborside Marine. A long day from 8:30 to 7:30 to cover 60 miles and 3 locks plus several draw bridges. 
Back to the big commercial locks like the Tennessee River except bigger and lots more commercial barge traffic.
At Harborside Marina they had these "floating condos."
Up early Tuesday morning to go only 1 lock and 20 miles to Spring Brook Marina. They are a large Carver dealer where we will have some service done. Lynn leaves to go back to Knoxville for a "grandchild fix." 
As we enter Burnham Harbor...
