{"id":1369,"date":"2023-06-22T18:28:27","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T22:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cincinnatiprime11.com\/?p=1369"},"modified":"2023-06-22T18:28:27","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T22:28:27","slug":"new-buffalo-mi-to-chicago-il","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cincinnatiprime11.com\/?p=1369","title":{"rendered":"New Buffalo, MI to Chicago, IL"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The trip across Lake Michigan is approximately 45 miles. The trip will take us about 3 hours.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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We leave on a cool and cloudy day, but thankfully Lake Michigan is not breaching the break wall today. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We see a partial Chicago skyline in the distance, with the skyscrapers just peeking out above the cloud tops.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Chicago Crib<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Four miles outside of Chicago in Lake Michigan, we pass the 4 mile crib (sensibly named as it is 4 miles off the Chicago lake shore). This is one of nine permanent water cribs that the city of Chicago has built. The purpose of these cribs is to house and protect off shore water intakes which supply the city of Chicago with Lake Michigan drinking water. Water is collected and transported from huge tunnels, some 20 feet in diameter and close to 200 feet under water. Of these, 6 are still standing and 2 are still in active use. This one, the four mile crib, was built in 1892 and is no longer active. Despite the protests of historical preservation societies, it is scheduled for demolition. Time will tell who will determine its fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Entering the Chicago harbor area on our way to DuSable Marina. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We will spend the next few cold and windy days exploring the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, in Millennium Park was unveiled in 2004. Its reflective surface, inspired by liquid mercury, mirrors the surrounding people, buildings, skylines and parks in a very interactive way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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Of course we have to take our picture in the Bean!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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We walk along the Riverwalk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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We walk through Grant Park as low clouds roll over Buckingham Fountain. This is one of the largest fountains in the world, dedicated in 1927, as a gift to the city by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother Clarence. The fountain was built in a rococo wedding cake style.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The best sights we saw during our short stay in Chicago, by far, were the sight of our loved ones! We spent time with our son, Jack, and his girlfriend, Jill. (Haha I know… but the names are just perfect for this cute couple!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dinner at Riccardo Enoteca and drinks on Prime 11.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We also had a visit from Jack and his college pals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finally the sun came out and the air warmed up!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On our last night in Chicago, we spent time with our nieces and nephew and our “grands”. Thanks for dinner Donald and MK!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For those boaters coming to Chicago, we found Dusable Marina in a prime location. DuSable Harbor is located in the heart of downtown Chicago at the foot of Randolph Street. They have 420 slips and can accommodate boats up to 60+ feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prime 11 at DuSable Marina.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A short walk from the marina, through Cascades Park, you can find a Mariano’s grocery store, a division of Kroger, which has anything you would need.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cascades Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Our marina slip had “prime” viewing of the Navy Pier Fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Saturday nights, we were told, are a bigger display…they last 10 minutes. (They need some tips from WEBN and the Cincinnati Reds on proper firework displays!\ud83d\ude09)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Navy Pier Saturday Fireworks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Interestingly, with so many slips, the “laundry room” is quite a surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n

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More of a closet and the washer “smells”. Just one washer and one dryer for the entire marina.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Of course being in a large city, crime is a concern. The marina has recently installed these sturdy intimidating security gates. Each seasonal slip renter has their own code and transient codes are functional only during the transient’s stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The gate to enter Dock A. We were on slip A 2, close to the locked gates that keep all the “bad” guys out, right?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n