Indiana and re-entering Illinois

08.15.2010- 08.16.2010

We stayed two days at Hammond Marina which is next to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond Indiana. We only lost $30.00. Actually the captain won $13.00 and I lost $30.00. Several locals told us that the casino has poor odds. Their location draws a lot of people in so they don’t need to make large payouts.

The casino has 1, 3, and 5 cent slot machines in addition to the regular 25 cent, $1 and up equipment. We took a look inside the high rollers’ slot machine room. The one arm bandits start at $25.00 and ended at $100.00. I can’t image putting 100 dollars for one pull.

Tut and I liked Hammond Marina's wide docks.

Andrew did a burgee exchange with member of the Hammond River Yacht Club member. The club had good burgers and cheap drinks.

Laura's (from Monkey Girl) friend Beth and husband Ned own a transportation business. They volunteered to drive the crews from 4 boats to Wal-Mart.

08.17.2010 at 0730 ,after 45 minutes on lake Michigan, we entered the Calumet Sag River, Chicago Illinois. Tut and I danced the”Thank Goodness We’re Back on the River System’ dance. Then we ate breakfast without fear of losing it.

Chicago Skyline

See how flat the water on the river is. I love it!

River birds

Andrew and Tut at the helm.

Tut naps because he knows riding down the river is a slow and easy.

The Asian carp barrier

Time to negotiate barges

and locks

City of Joliet Illinois wall

Jefferson St bridge repairs in progress

The Joliet wall has free electric, yeah!

08-18.2010

Spring Brook marina in Seneca IL. Their restaurant is called Andrew's so of course we ate there.

We've seen about 30 barges since we entered the river system.

A very large area of lily pads

Tut takes a nip and a nap after a long day on the river.

Sunset Spring Brook

St Joseph's Yacht Club

Tut ignores Snickers

Snickers' owner tries to please both of them

Tut naps while Snickers keep guard.

St Joseph's Yacht Club burgee exchange with Debbie from the club's general management team.

St Joseph River Yacht Club 's building is an historical site. It was the U.S. Coast Guard maintenance building for the area light houses and buoys. It was built in early 1800.

They have a large pool

Outdoor bar and grill - 'Rhumbline'

Club dock

Condos across the channel from the club

Club's carousel horse - There are may of these in St Joseph's

Channel view of club

Pier

Boat cruising in the chop

Grand Haven, Holland & St Joseph

Large Houses on the banks of Holland harbor.

Some people do build their dream houses

Light House at the entrance to Lake Macatawa

08.11.2010 lightening and thunder kept us in Grand Haven until 1030. A fleet from the Singapore yacht club reserved the marina for the next few days so we had to move on. Thankfully Lake Michigan cooperated. Freedom and Monkey Girl left Grand Haven in a light chop that increased as we approached Holland.

Crescent Marina, 3 miles from the channel entrance, welcomed us with open arms. $25.00 a night and they had a pool and hot tub! Tut was not allowed in the pool area so he howled at Andrew from behind the chain link fence.

We ate a Jackie’s ‘Home Cooking’ Restaurant. The establishment was well kept. The food was good and cheap.

08.12.2010 brought a Northwest wind, 10-15knots with 1-1.5 foot waves. We headed to St Joseph, south 43 miles, with trailing seas. It was a comfortable ride.

Blue Yonder reunited with us at West Basin Marina in St Joseph, MI.

08.12.2010 Tut waiting for Blue Yonder to arrive at West Basin Marina

West Basin Marina - St Joseph downtown area on left