Starting location: South Haven Municipal Marina, South Haven, MI.
Weather: high 50s am, mid 70s pm, mostly sunny
Ending location: Moored in Diversey Harbor, Chicago, IL
Statute miles: About 85
General summary: The winds were coming from the Southwest, but since we were close to the Southern border of Lake Michigan, there would be less fetch and hopefully smaller waves hitting our bow. We pushed on straight through to Chicago. Not our most comfortable ride, but certainly not our worst. We could start to make out the skyline about 20 miles away and watched it grow larger and more detailed as we approached.
We had found a marina right next to Lincoln Park that was within walking distance of some desired spots and moored there for two nights. Checked out the park a bit the first evening. It was clean and felt very safe. People milled about enjoying the grassy spaces. Al fresco dining. Volleyball. Great place to hang out and enjoy the nice weather.
The next day was full of activities. What do you do in Chicago if you only have one day? First, I went to the Chicago History Museum.
A wing with information about President Lincoln, who worked as a lawyer here before entering politics.
The city has been shaped by many significant historical events:
Due to Chicago’s central location and railroad access to the rest of the expanding country, it became a hub of shipping which fostered the mail order businesses of Sears and Montgomery Ward. It subsequently became a center for innovation – architecture, merchandise development (fashion, home goods, toys), jazz and blues music.
Next, I went to see a matinee at the famous Second City Theater. It was an awesome feeling being in a place where such greats as Gilda Radnor, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, John Belushi, Dan Aykroid, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, George Wendt, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, and Jordan Peele, among many others, got their starts. An amazing show that was about 2/3 rehearsed comedy sketches and 1/3 improvisation. Wow, the performers were talented!
My final goal was to have Chicago style deep dish pizza for dinner. Pequod’s was the universal recommendation from the internet and my seat mates at the theater, who were locals. It was a 2 mile walk each way to pick up the order, but I got to see some more of the city.
And we crossed over into Mountain Time.
The Great Loop in a C Dory 25 
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