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Great Lakes to Inland Rivers

June – July 2025
  • AICW Great Loop Segment
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A one-way cruise from the end of the Erie Canal to (hopefully) KY Lake. In 2017, Bob Austin invited us to his home to meet Pat and Patsy, Daydream crew who were cruising the Great Loop. Thanks to them ! See Greatloop.org FAQ for more info. Read more
  • AICW Great Loop Segment
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  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    11

    Joliet, IL area-Starved Rock Marina

    July 19 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Joliet, IL area-Starved Rock Marina

    This part of the Illinois River is surprisingly scenic, tree lined and with little development except for barge loading operations. Lots more locks and pleasant weather. All the locks are a ride down (up can be much rougher).

    Logs:

    https://reports.nebo.global/c39be3b5-c00c-4ce8-…

    Some storms are expected tomorrow, but nothing we can’t handle if we slow down to displacement speeds. It’s Eileen’s birthday so she can have anything she wants. She wants dinner at the marina restaurant overlooking the wide river. She had crab cakes, which I assume were made from fresh local Illinois Blue Crab. But perhaps not.    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers

    Starved Rock-Peoria Lake

    July 19 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Starved Rock-Peoria Lake

    We got up at 0445 to prep for an early departure. Eileen called the Lockmaster (they seem to like to talk to ladies more than me) who advised yesterdays goat rope there resulted in double barges stranded on the starboard arrival wall before the gates. He thought there was ‘about 15 feet’ of horizontal clearance and offered to let us try it. Otherwise, it will require several hours (at least) to get those barges moved out of the way. Well, we keep big fenders on both sides and squeezed through (first video) with a little sphincter tightening. Chatting at the lock wall, I alleged I thought the clearance was more like 12 feet than 15, but he started rattling off the dimensions of the barges etc so I was wrong (that happens a lot, just ask Eileen).

    We had to slow down for some thunderstorms with lightning, but overall a pretty nice cruise down to Peoria. Laundry date this afternoon after finding some of the more expensive 91 octane E0 gas so far at $5.75/g. Still cheaper than last year. We went to two other marinas first, one had no gas and the other no dockhand, so we wasted some time as well as gas.

    Log:

    49efb59c-e684-4bab-b49c-7355e2f887b1.html    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    1

    Chicago Day 4-Joliet area

    July 17 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Chicago Day 4-Joliet area

    We think this 50 mile segment is the worst one ever! It’s all very heavy industry and barge fleeting operations loading everything from wood chips to asphalt to grain, with the tugs grinding back and forth across the river re-arranging their strings. We went through the electric fish barrier without incident (some Mycruisers have reported damage to boat electronics). My wry observation is that the only reason invasive Eurasian Millfoil could grow up to 10 feet off the bottom is because invasive Zebra mussels have made the water so clear.

    Commercial pushboats with barges have priority for the locks, so one going 4.5 MPH that we passed going 7 MPH gets to go down first while we wait idling around for 2.5 hours. Use AIS and talk to the Lockmaster (by phone) to find the best time to show up at the Arrival Point.

    The Joliet city wall (no RR or showers) is the conventional spot for loopers to stay after this tense long (in time, not distance) stretch. We made a reservation for $50 a few miles further at Harborside Marina, in a basin far off the river 100% protected from wakes and traffic. It also has a pool and 42 cute waterfront cottages.I don’t know what the City charges, but this marina is worth it after a long ugly stressful day when you want a hot shower and a peaceful night!    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    11

    Chicago Day 3

    July 16 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    Chicago Day 3

    We walked different areas of the city close to the marina plus more of the ‘magnificant mile’ and the Riverwalk. Great weather and we’re having a great time. Here’s some more boat cruise photos (Penguins only allows 20 per day plus two videos <120 sec). Eileen explored three stories of the Neiman Marcus store on the Miracle Mile but didn’t find anything she liked. Too bad there wasn’t an L.L. Bean store there. She dragged me into an Untucked boutique and insisted I get a nice $100 shirt for an upcoming small ship cruise. I’ve never paid $100 for a shirt in my entire life, as you can likely tell.
    We shared a pizza at Gino’s East, which was recommended by Chicago AGLCA Harbor Host Mike O’Malley. We met him and his Sharona (Sharon) for more local tips and the three minute boat tour. It was a very enjoyable day. We took the 20 minute ride on the ferris wheel with some photos from up there. It’s hard to believe it’s day 30 of this adventure! We feel very blessed that we enjoyed such great weather and seas for 1,116 miles on the Great Lakes in a trailer boat!    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    1
    1

    Chicago Day 2

    July 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    Chicago Day 2
    We took walks along the city and bike paths, and the highly rated ‘architectural tour’ boat cruise to see the various styles by boat. Don’t miss it if you’re in town, the average rating is 4.9/5. Anything you could want is within walking distance. Also a lot of things you won’t ever want. There’s still a lot of Canadian wildfire smoke ruining my photos. The Navy pier is right in the middle of the action, beside the ferris wheel. The Navy Pier is the #1 rated Chicago attraction per trip Advisor. Lake Michigan here is 73 rather than 63 degrees. Another 10 degrees and it will almost be warm enough to go swimming!Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers

    Milwaukee, WI-Chicago, IL on Lake Michig

    July 14 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Milwaukee, WI-Chicago, IL on Lake Michigan

    We left the beautiful, landscaped McKinley marina before 0815 for the pleasant, calm run along the 20ft contour line while avoiding the west winds. We refueled at a small harbor before the Chicago zoo to avoid the crowds. The boat is running great and the weather is fantastic, if getting a bit warmer. The brand new Navy Pier marina is worth a visit with no minimum LOA. Wifi and laundry is not yet up, since a modern washing machine can’t run unless it has a connection to secure wifi.

    Log:
    https://reports.nebo.global/c39be3b5-c00c-4ce8-…    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers

    Sturgeon Bay Day 4-Milwaukee, WI

    July 13 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    Sturgeon Bay Day 4-Milwaukee, WI

    We exited Sturgeon Bay though an 1860 canal cut to Lake Michigan and enjoyed yet another calm day hugging the WI coast as shelter from the west wind, while planning to get settled prior to thquae afternoon winds kicking up. McKinley is a state marina, and the first marina ever where the gas dockhand would not accept a $5 tip due to state rules. We took a nice walk into town and along park trails. Every day has been smokey from Canadian wildfires with frequent health advisories. Too bad for the photos, also.

    The 1860’s cut to Lake Michigan is a slow-wake zone, though not marked that way, even on AquaMaps.

    NEBOLINK log:

    https://reports.nebo.global/c39be3b5-c00c-4ce8-…    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    1

    Sturgeon Bay, Day 3

    July 12 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Sturgeon Bay, Day 3

    Eileen says she has never been to a Root Beer Festival, so we had to go. It was sponsored by the Historical Society and was very interesting. Of the six major national brands, all are Wisconsin products except A&W. We bought tickets for the ‘flight of six’ root beer tasting and voted for A&W for first place. It was just like a fine wine tasting event. I’m not sure we’ll ever again attend a Root Beer Festival. You should go if you ever get the chance.

    We took a nice walk to the organic foods store and several parks, then prepped for the next day's long run (130 miles in the morning) to Milwaukee before the afternoon winds kicked in.    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    1It seems to spend more time open than closed
    22 blocks away, also opens a lot @ 12 feet5 star Quartermaster Marina10 story Sturgeon Bay Maritime MuseumMuseum viewing deckLooking West torwards Green BayLooking East toward Ship Canal into Lake Michigan1Our 900 miles on the Great Lakes in a trailer boat to dateForth-order Fresnel (fray-nel) lighthouse lensNav Lights exhibitMystery blades, maybe Nibral?Stainless steel mystery blades1An example re the COLREGS quiz answers

    Sturgeon Bay Day 2

    July 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Sturgeon Bay Day 2

    The local AGLCA Harbor Host, Tim Kneeland, dropped off the Amazon stuff we ordered that was shipped to his house and toured our boat (which doesn’t take long). He even offered the use of his car for shopping or visiting the beautiful local State Parks. Don’t forget to contact HH on your loop for local info and help if needed.

    We visited the Sturgeon Bay Maritime Museum ($14 geezer fee), a ten story tower with exhibits on each floor. We took the elevator up and walked down. Well worthwhile. Quarterdeck Marina has beautiful grounds and a captain's lounge, a huge pool, HVAC bath house, laundry, gas and floating docks…all the things we look for. We stayed extra days to enjoy the city, take a break, and avoid facing the unusual South winds when we head down to Chicago. Winds are forecast (for what that’s worth) to shift westward over the next few days.

    I got a minor scrape that’s getting infected so we got a cab to the Urgent Care clinic to get an antibiotic. It had a robot prescription issuing machine right on site that fills the bottle, attaches the label, and drops it into the bin exactly like a Coke vending machine, but with a $4 convenience fee, and a lot more noise. That saved us $40 in additional cab fees, so a good deal overall. We’ve never seen anything like that before!

    We passed a fenced area with huge SS and Nibral parts and could not figure out what they were. I don’t think large prop blades are bolted on, plus the shape is wrong. Sing out if you have a guess.

    I included a pic of Navigational lights at the Museum. Here is the night navigation lighting trivia quiz for the month:

    Usually, NAVAID lights are flashing, but vessel lights are steady burning. Name five exceptions where vessels (excluding emergency response vessels) will exhibit flashing lights. A free emoji to the first correct answer! (Hint: COLREGS).

    What great summer weather and water!    Read more

  • AICW Great Loop SegmentTravelerGreat Lakes to Inland Rivers
    1Shipyard Marina, Detroit Bay, Washington Island, Door Peninsula, WI
    WI Door Peninsula shoresShipyard Marina Washington IslandDetroit Bay, Washington IslandDetroit BayBeautiful Door County shoreline viewsshoreline with limestone bluffsFish Creek 2h free city wall, Door County, WIFish Creek, WI, marina parkGreens and flowers galoreLots of vintage homes, and motels and cottagesAmazing flower displaysFlowers everywhere (except winter)Fish Creek Beach swimming area (63 degree water and yes folks were in it)Door County shorelineOur air draft is 9.5 feet and slid underQuarterdeck marina

    Washington Isle-Fish Creek, Door County

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F

    Washington Island-Fish Creek, Door County, WI

    Colby advised a visit to Fish Creek and we really enjoyed it. Since we don’t cart around a dinghy, we look for a free 2 hour city wall like theirs. We took a lot of pics, and Penguins only allows 20 per footprint. There are lots of flowers, historic houses, and tourists. After lunch we continued on to a 5 star Sturgeon Bay marina. Door County, WI has been a tourist mecca since the 1800’s with gorgeous water, scenery and wildlife.

    NEBOLINK log:
    https://reports.nebo.global/c39be3b5-c00c-4ce8-…

    We’re having a great time with great weather and water and seas under our over 2 ft/22MPH/28 MPH gusts NO-GO criteria.    Read more

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