Joliet

Well, family and friends:  It is Wednesday, September 30,2015.  We are tied up to what is called a "free wall" in Joliet, Illinois.  We have been here since Monday night - a bit of an adventure to get here.
  After leaving Racine we arrived in Chicago early enough that we decided to start down the River system.  Going through Downtown Chicago with the beautiful buildings including the Trump  Towers was wonderful.  But once past downtown, the scenery was boring,dirty and smelly.  We are traveling on theChicago Shipping Canal.  Our goal was Joliet which due to barge traffics at the 2 locks: the last one was a waiting period of 4 hours - we arrived at the "free wall" at 10:30 p.m.   15 hours on the water was a new record for us!
  Oh, by the way, Ann really wanted to see Asian carp : we had to keep everything closed up and wear life jackets :  but the little fishes didn't show up!
    Another first was being tied up in the last lock to a barge.  Barge guys were really nice.  Sure beat holding the lock lines while the water level lowered at least 20 feet. I think.
     Tuesday a.m. We accessed our surroundings.  Across the river were at least 20-30 police cars and Harrah's gambling.  Due to winds we didn't venture far.
   Today, Wednesday, we took a nice walk.  Harley announced that the area we are in is a High Crime area.  He loves to increase my blood pressure!
    Following this little blurb should be pictures IF I can figure how to do.  Boat is a rock in' due to barge traffic.
     Grrrr.  None of us can figure out how to get pictures from my IPad to blogspot which is on my iPad. Any help out there?

September 25-26

Okay, Friends and family,
   My real blogging begins.  More descriptive as we travel.  We pulled out of Port Washington, Wi marina around 10:30 ish a.m. On Friday, September 25.  Both boats : ours and Harley and Ann's did very well.  Water was kind of rough but we have been in worse.
   We are staying at a Racine Marina to do some more prepping for the Looping trip.  Enjoying a beautiful day.  Having dinner with a friend on boat this evening with plans to leave for a TBD location tomorrow.  Stay tuned.

Learning

Ok, everybody, I am almost ready to start my blogging about our Great Loop trip. I am practicing .

This is Grandpa and AJ.