Our crossing of Lake Michigan from South Haven, Michigan to Chicago was uneventful.We chose a day with low wind and therefore small waves. Of course we could see the Chicago skyline from far out in the lake with all the tall buildings. While most loopers chose one of the marinas near downtown we chose Belmont Harbor because Mike's boat is slipped there. Mike was very helpful in arranging our slip to be on his dock and across from his boat.
As I mentioned in previous posts, Mike's boat, the Elizabeth K, is a fifty year old 1964 Pacemaker. She is a beautiful wood thirty six foot cabin cruiser with a fly bridge. Mike loves the boat and takes meticulous care of it. He is always improving and upgrading her along with the continual maintenance that all boats require.
We were very fortunate to have our son John, his wife Kristine and his children, Jake - 10 and Lucy - 8 from Minnesota join us in Chicago. Our oldest son Mike lives in Evanston with his wife Vicky and his three children, Lizzie - 9, Andy - 7 and Alex - 4. Maria, our youngest, also lives in Chicago with her husband Bob and our youngest grandchild Baby Jack, almost 1.5. Unfortunately, Amy, our other daughter who lives in Boston, was not able to join us. She lives there with her husband, Kevin and her three children, Brendan - 7, Lauren - 5 and Brigid - 3.
On Sunday our good friends Mark and Jane on Average Looper joined us with their boat in Belmont Harbor. After getting them settled into their slip and introducing everyone we departed on Navigator to the Thirty First Street Harbor. It is a newly developed harbor that has a swimming pool. Most of us swam off the boat in the slip before going to the pool. Everyone had a great time jumping off the passerell and swimming with the noodles, etc.
It was a whirlwind weekend! We got to visit Maria's school and see her classroom after dropping Jack off at Cece's for daycare. We were so happy to meet the wonderful lady that takes such good care of Jack and speaks only Spanish to him. The weekend brought a baby shower for Kristine, a trip to a huge new park (followed by ice cream, of course), a sleepover at Maria's house for all the kids and lots of time for the cousins to play together.
After a very fun weekend with everyone, it was time for the kids to return to school, the parents to return to work and the grandparents to move onto the rivers and eventually back to Florida.
This is the first view of the Chicago skyline that we saw
after crossing Lake Michigan from South Haven, Michigan.
The beautiful Elizabeth K.
It's hard to believe this is a fifty year old wood boat!
Elizabeth K. in her slip with Navigator across the dock.
I wish I had a picture with the canvas off.
Mike rebuilt the flybridge last winter and it turned out beautifully.
This is a picture of the rebuilt flybridge before completion.
Along with replacing and refinishing all the wood he had all the metal rechromed.
The boat on the left is Average Looper entering Belmont Harbor.
Grandma's sleep over with the grandkids.
Baby Jack got to sleep in his own crib.
Low clouds over the Chicago skyline this day.
How smooth is this?
The Chicago skyline.
We really enjoy the Chicago skyline from the water.
This is four of the six grandchildren we were able to spend the weekend with.
Jake and Lucy were on their way back to Minnesota to start school the next day.
Jack looks like he's up to something mischievous.
The Chicago Mertz kids on top of a skateboard ramp.
Alex, Andy and Lizzie.
Six of the nine Mertz Grandchildren.
Lucy, Andy, Jake, Lizzie and Alex.
After a jam packed weekend it was time for us to move on again.
This is Average Looper on the way to the Chicago lock to begin the rivers.
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