Today we started on the Loop!

Friday, August 9 2019

Yes!  It really did happen! today we started on America's Great Loop!

The date is especially significant to me because it is my birthday, but it is also the anniversary of the date in 1980 when I turned 18 and also when I was on board the 33' sailing ketch - Kitty of Leigh, leaving New Haven Harbour in England with Skipper Dennis and my dear friend Frankie Fraser.

Dennis had plans to sail around the world.  I had spent the summer on board, helping to fit out the boat for the trip and we had a tremendous send off with a flotilla of boats following us out of the marina. 

I stayed on board until my planned departure in Northern Portugal and Dennis and Frankie continued on.  Dennis eventually ended his voyage in New Zealand, having completed an amazing sailing adventure.

America's Great Loop is very different, with each evening being spent in a marina or at anchor and all the comforts of home and lots of electronic support. 

Before starting out we needed to fuel Sunny Tug.  Du Sable Marina, where we had been staying, did not have fuel so we went south and fueled up at Chicago's 31st Marina.  We took on 75.784 gallons @ $4.309/gallon for a cost of $326.55.  Sunny Tug has two tanks, the main tank holds 120 gallons and the stern tank holds 30 gallons.  The stern tank feeds the generator and fuel from that can also be transferred to the main tank, so it acts as a reserve tank.   I need to try out the transfer so I know that it works!  So many different things to learn and try. 

After fueling up we turned around and headed north again, ready to enter our first lock, the Chicago Harbor Lock, that connects Lake Michigan to the Chicago River.  I would love to say everything went smoothly, but it was a bit of disaster with me/Sunny Tug being blown about by the wind and current.  Lock staff helped us to get tied off and eventually we got through.  Definitely a learning experience.  The end result is that we got through and were on to our ride through downtown Chicago!

Driving Sunny Tug through downtown Chicago!

Slightly below Chicago you pass over an electric barrier in the water designed to stop fish (Asian Carp) from invading into Lake Michigan.  Large signs advise against swimming in the area, and crew on deck must wear life jackets.


Electric Fish Barrier Signs

We also went through our first large federal lock on the Illinois river.  The crew was very nice and thankfully we had the whole lock to ourselves, so I did not feel like we were holding people up.  We had a 45' drop.  The wait to get in and the drop seemed to take forever, but we did fairly well with the experience.

45' or so drop drop in the Lockport Lock on the Illinois River

Leaving the Lockport Lock.... We survived our first large federal lock!

Leaving the Lockport Lock

After a long day we tied up to a free dock in Joilet Illinois.  Almost as soon as we had tied up we were greeted by AGLCA Harbor Host (Brenda) who was most kind and gracious in welcoming us, showing us how to hook up to the free electric service and driving John to the local market.   

John cooked a wonderful meal of tamales and after planning for the upcoming days it was time for a good night's sleep!



Safely tucked up in Joilet Illinois


Comments

  1. KathleenAugust 9, 2019 at 10:56 PM

    Hurrah! Bon voyage.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KY LadybugAugust 9, 2019 at 11:16 PM

    Absolutely thrilled for you, Griz!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WrenRaeAugust 10, 2019 at 1:36 PM

    Yippee! Fabulous birthday present and way to launch an exciting year-ahead ..best wishes and big hugs Gordon and hello to John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WrenRaeAugust 10, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      Actually need to see photos of John to believe he's really on board with you!

      Delete
    2. GordonAugust 12, 2019 at 10:31 PM

      He is a little photo shy! :)

      Delete

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