Wait Wait and Batter Up

Wait Wait and Batter Up

After a lumpy 9 hour run into DuSable Marina in downtown Chicago, we have been enjoying the BIG CITY. It is a shock after weeks in tiny towns with almost no crowds, traffic, or noise to be sitting at the foot of massive skyscrapers, millions of people, vehicles, and the bustle of it all. Much as we enjoy our quiet life, it is a rush to enjoy several days with perfect weather in such a beautiful, vibrant city.

Besides just walking the many paths and streets to admire the buildings and people watching, we booked ourselves into a couple peak experiences:

First off, we snagged tickets to the NPR radio news quiz – Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me! This required some advanced planning since tickets go on sale 6 weeks ahead and generally sell out in the first few hours they are on offer. Even though we did not get perfect timing, we did get center seats in the small  underground Chase Bank Auditorium on Dearborn Street a convenient walk from our marina. So much as we boaters hate schedules, our recent moves have been constrained by our plans here in Chicago.  Fortunately, those nasty winds on the lake cooperated and we were into the marina a day ahead of our scheduled performance.

The “experience” more than lived up to our expectations.  The regularly broadcast show is only one hour, but the taping is a continuous 90 minutes to 2 hours.  The portions which don’t make the broadcast are all the side comments and interplay between the panelists and host.  We lucked into seeing Paula Poundstone, P J O’Rouke, and Negin Farssad along with host Peter Sagal and announcer Bill Kurtis. Our show also included two signers for the deaf which allowed Peter to recount the story of a previous performance that tested the skills of the signers. Suffice it to say this story included hilarious variations on a famous comment from Ronald Reagan about “crapping a pineapple” and other oddities that might be difficult to “pass”. While the original event must have been a hoot, we nearly burst our sides on the retelling which was just the start of the 2-hour show. Seeing the show live and putting faces to the voices we have enjoyed much of their 20-year run, was a peak experience and well worth the planning and juggling necessary.

Catching a game at the awesome Wrigley Field was our next peak experience. Again, we had to do a little planning and get some luck to find the Cubs in town during our stay, but after the tickets and schedule for “Wait Wait” fell in place, we went ahead and booked an afternoon at Wrigley.  However, since the Cubs are having a strong finish to the season, our afternoon at the ball park turned into a televised evening game. It was magical under the lights and a special treat to sit in this intimate ballpark with 36,000 other folks.  We lucky to be near the field but it seemed that the crowd in the apartment bleachers were having just as much fun.  Fortunately, the Cubs won although they made us wait well into the game to forge ahead of the Cincinnati Reds.

Between these outings, we visited the local grocery – a relatively short walk considering we are in the midst of a major city. We also walked over to the neighboring Navy Pier a major tourist attraction and mobbed with people even mid- week. Finally, leaving Chicago via the Sanitary and Ship Canal – Chicago River is almost as fun as walking the city streets…. We encountered no delays – the low railroad bridge was conveniently up for us on this trip, but then there was that crowd at the first lock on the Illinois River – a mere 4-hour delay. We take the good with the not so great and are glad of a sunny day on the water.

entering Chicago Lock to leave Lake Michigan

On to Door County WI

On to Door County WI & South

Crossing the line from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we dropped the hook off School House Beach, Washington Island, WI – supposedly one of only 5 beaches without sand in the world.  Picking up any of the rocks on this beach is illegal so we admired it from the boat before moving on to Jackson Harbor and their docks.

Museum item of interest - suited to winter

Putting our bikes on the dock for the first time since Lewes, DE back in May, we made up for lost time and did a 10-mile ride for lunch in the Washington Island town center. This village has all the essentials if strung out and a bit far from the docks either at Jackson Harbor or Detroit Bay. It also has the famous Bitters Club - reputedly never closed even during prohibition - serving bitters as a restorative although it has a whopping high alcohol content!  Of course we joined the club in the famous Nelson's Hall building.

While in Jackson Harbor, we took the little Karfi Ferry to Rock Island at unique state park.  This island was owned by one man who had big plans but not much remains besides his boat house – an impressive structure fortunately now open as part of the park. Also, on the island is the Potawami Lighthouse – one of the first to be built in Wisconsin – although the structure is no longer in use – being replaced by a solar powered light – the home and light have been restored and are open for tours. The mile plus hike to the light and tour were well worth the effort even if it included some light rain.

Rock Island boat house

The island is wooded with most homes out of view and the commercial services discreetly confined to a small area. There is vibrant arts community here with a fabulous fiber arts store, nature centers, and performing art facility. Our stay included the annual Deaths Door BBQ competition which was packed with delicious eating options as well as crafts and music. For that event we moved over to an anchorage in Detroit Harbor and hitch hiked, walked and took the free Cherry Train to get to and return from the venue.

A surprise at the BBQ

After dragging ourselves away from Washington Island, we headed south to Door County proper with a stop in Sister Bay Marina. Just a taste of the crowds was enough plus some severe weather saw us anchoring off Nicolet Bay to dink over to Horseshoe island for a walk and then a few days off Chandler Island to sit out the weather. Next, we made stops at Fish Creek – ultra cute and Egg Harbor just a bit further south. Good eats in both places, but the unique White Gull Inn was a big hit for its décor as well as food. Enjoyed the story about Egg Harbor getting its name from a food fight - with eggs - since the first food item of choice was too valuable!

We finally made it to a marina in Sturgeon Bay where we caught their farmer’s market. Strolling the canal we learned the story of its construction - a short cut to save 150 miles and the dangerous waters of Death's Door - that passage between the mainland and Washington Island. 

canal cut to save 150 miles but only used twice a year now by the big boys

Fighting fog and impending windy weather, we eased our way into Manitowac for a couple nights over the holiday weekend. It was nice to find a town that actually shutdown all retail for a Labor Day holiday.  It did make shopping difficult, but window shopping was free and a great way to enjoy the cute town plus the maritime museum. 

just popped out of the fog on our arrival

so much fog we never saw the BADGER arrive or leave

a taste of home!  

less fog

Then it was on to Sheboygan with its river walk area for more good food and even a haircut. The friendly folks of Wisconsin make stops along the lake a delight even if the weather was foggy and/or windy.

a little less fog on our way to Sheboygan

A quick stop in Port Washington was rewarded with a visit to Bernie's meat market for some great bacon. 

Then it was on to Milwaukee where we spent three days enjoying this vibrant city.  We made several visits to Brady Street to visit the bakery and deli, walked the river path and lake shore, strolled the Art Festival in the Third Ward and soaked up the fun at the kite festival just off our dock.  

For a weekend, the docks were basically empty in this huge 400+ slip marina, but people flocked along the pathways enjoying the bursts of sunshine even with the blustery wind – perfect for the giant kites. The weekend climax was a late-night fireworks show – no one just sits around in Milwaukee.

Our last stop on the lake before Chicago was Racine, WI.  This seems to be the "Johnson’s" town and sleepy between weekends – makes for few shopping options, but time to catch up on this blog. (The Johnson Outdoor Store did tempt us to consider a kayak!) We also found lots of restaurants and beer parlors plus a great pub right in the marina. Finally, we enjoyed a chance to meet up with a few other loopers who were also making their way down the West side of Lake Michigan after Labor Day!

On to Chicago and the RIVERS SOUTH!