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For Memorial Day Weekend my friend John and I loaded up the boat and went to Chicago. Saturday night we drove to Michigan City for a little gambling at the Blue Chip Casino and slept in the truck and boat on the trailer. The next morning we set out for the Windy City. It was a gloomy, cloud covered, cold morning. After idling thru the canal and past the break wall, we were met by 3' chop. This trip started as a rough ride. About the time we could really see the Chicago skyline, the seas started to calm and the sun came out. We rented a can at Monroe Harbor for $15 and got a room at the Westin on the Chicago river for $99 bucks! Normally we would sleep on the boat, but for the money, I'll go with the hotel room!

All day we cruised around taking in the sights. For lunch we ate at the famous Harry Carrey's Bar and Grill. It was across the street to an area we could tie the boat up on the river. We traveled down the Chicago river thru the locks and went to a boater's bar call "Slow Down - Life's Too Short". They actually had valet boat parking! You were greeted at the dock and a guy helped you tie up. Later when the place got real busy, the boats were tied four deep! The dock attendant would carefully supervise people to make sure they didn't walk anywhere except on your swim platform to get ashore. He would also help move the boats out with a shepherd's hook if you wanted to leave and were tied up on the inside.

Later, we had reservations at a Italian restaurant next to the Westin that had mooring cleats so you could tie up and eat dinner. Dinner was GREAT! I had a, (get this), 16oz Filet Mignon that I cut with my fork! It was one of the best steaks I've ever had!

After dinner, we cruised down the river again and admired the Chicago Skyline at night. It was great. Another boater from Slow Down told us that there were fireworks at 9:30 in the harbor, so we picked our spot to sit and watch from our boat. Awesome!! They lasted about 30 minutes and everybody was clapping and cheering from the boats around us as seemingly hundreds of people sang "America" from nearby Navy Pier.

We retired the boat for the night at the buoy and walked back to the hotel to get ready for a full night of drinking and partying at the clubs. The clubs definitely got the best of us, they NEVER seem to close. We left at 3:30am and they were still going strong.

Slept in Monday morning and had a late breakfast. By then, the weather was perfect for boating! I have NEVER seen Lake Michigan so calm! (Thank God, I don't think that another day of chop would have helped John's Hangover!) After another short sightseeing run, we cruised back to Indiana at a leisure 60mph! It was a great way to end the trip.

	John and I in the canal at Michigan City.		The Chop as Chicago starts to appear.
	Skyline from a couple miles out.		Monroe Harbor
	More Skyline		The Standard Oil Building
	A "REAL" Sailing Ship!		Navy Pier
	"Look Kids, it's Big Ben!"		The Westin Riverfront where we stayed.
	Harry Carrey's		Behind the Bar are license plates that say "Cubs Win" & "Holy Cow".
	The Baja tied up at Monroe Harbor.		Cruising the Chicago River.
	John's having TOO much fun as co-pilot!		"I'm having fun, REALLY!" (Just not as much as John!)
	The Chicago Opera House, Riverside.		Sears Tower from the Chicago River.
	Probably the coolest apartments available with a marina & slips underneath!		Sears Tower again.
	Approaching Slow Down.		John's ready to swim to the bar for another beer!
	The Baja tied up in front of Slow Down.		It's getting chilly again!
	I like this picture!		The balcony of Slow Down
	One of the barbacks, a great guy!		"I didn't know Charles Manson worked here!"
	An interesting notice on the bar!		The bar's party hammock!
	"That bar was REALLY COOL!"		John is such a ham!
	"Turn the music DOWN John!"		"It wasn't THAT loud..."
	"John are you ready to go to the clubs? ...OH YEA!"		Our $99 room with the Baja bag on the bed.