Chicago, IL to Norman Township, IL

Chicago Harbor Lock was our 2nd lock of the summer, 1st lock today, and 116th lock of the loop. The lock had lines along the wall for us to grab and use. Since we didn't tie up in the Thomas J. O'Brien lock, it was a big adjustment for the crew trying to remember roles and how to do each of the jobs with an increased number of spectators. Luckily we all had a new pair of pretty gloves to use and keep our hands clean. The guy running the lock asked if we were coming back thru that lock and was very clearly annoyed with us. I reassured him he'd never see us again. 🤪

As we cruised down the Chicago River, we admired all of the architecture without the narrative from a tour guide. Google helped get us any info we wanted, using Google, Google Maps, and Google Lens when needed. Between taking pictures, pointing, and talking, the time downtown passed pretty quickly.

Just outside of Chicago, it was very industrial for a while. We had a few delays in our journey giving barges the right of way in the narrow parts of the river, then passing them in wider areas, hoping to not lock through with them- some were 2 deep × 2 wide. The other 3 locks today had floating ballards for us to tie up to, creating an easier locking experience dropping 20-40 feet, depending on the lock. One tie on the port side, the next tie on starboard, the last tie on the port side. I think they do this for fun, to make it a juggling act of fenders and lines for the pleasure craft coming through. My dad noticed they have us tie up on whichever side the building is on, but I still feel like they think it is fun. 

As we were googling and reading about the area, I read that Chicago was a land bridge for shipping goods before the Sanitary and Ship Canal was created to link the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River to the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico to ships. Linking that information back to last summer, it had to be created for the submarines to get out to the gulf as well. Honestly, the engineering of the whole shipping/boating industry situation continuously blows my mind.

We passed the electric fish barrier and started looking for the frightened Asian Carp that dive bomb boaters on this river. Our Loop books say they can grow up to 4 ft and 150 lbs and have been known to knock people off their boats. They are an invasive species, so if they land on your boat, you're not supposed to throw them back, but kill them instead. We will be on the lookout while keeping the dogs inside!

The industrial river scenery became increasingly lush wooded areas, with some houses or campsites dotting the riverbanks.

Just after lunchtime, we stopped to see family at a free wall at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, IL, which was across the river from Harrah's. It was great to chat for a bit and stretch legs (ours and the dogs'!) on the grass and riverwalk before continuing on to the final 2 locks for the day and our anchorage for the night.

When we pulled into our anchorage, we saw 2 deer on the shore. One ran off as we pulled in. The second one stuck around for a while before leaving. As we were anchoring near Sugar Island in Norman Township, IL in this little nature cove, the sun was setting and created beautiful colors in the sky for our first visible sunset of the summer. 

Locks today: 4

Locks this summer: 5

Locks on the Loop: 119