We finally departed around 9:40 and made our way to the first lock which was the Chicago Harbor Lock. This lock was constructed to prevent the Chicago River from draining into Lake Michigan as well as to prevent rising water on Lake Michigan from raising the level of the river. This canal connects Chicago with the inland rivers permitting ship traffic to go south via this system and to take all sanitary waste south. Put another way, Chicago’s waste does not pollute Lake Michigan. It flows south contributing to pollution on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers ending up in the Gulf of Mexico. We’re sure all states downstream really appreciate this.
The first part of the trip was terrific. Despite the fact that it was a gloomy, overcast day it was still a spectacular view as we made our way down the river that flows through the heart of Chicago. Once we were out of Chicago, the landscape quickly changed to industrial and there was a definite “smell” in the air. We had lowered our mast so we could get through all of the fixed bridges. However, there were a couple of railroad bridges that needed to open so we could pass through. Unfortunately one of those, the AmTrak bridge, was very busy and we had to wait for almost an hour before it would open for us. Also, from that point on we had to contend with barge traffic. Barges take priority over pleasure craft so you definitely have to stay out of their way and ask permission to pass.
Our next obstacle was the “fish barrier”. To prevent the invasion of Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed an Electric Fish Dispersal Barrier of 2 volts/inch. Physical contact with the water in this area could result in serious injury or death. This electrical field is also dangerous to persons and property on board non-metallic hulled vessels crossing the barrier, e.g. Monk’s Vineyard. When the voltage was initially increased to 2 volts/inch all traffic was stopped. Many “Loopers” were stuck outside of Chicago. The only way to get through was to pay $600 to a towing company to take you though. You disconnected all electrical systems, got on board the tow boat, and they took you through. About a week ago, they relaxed the rules and allowed boats to go through on their own, but not without stopping at the local Coast Guard boat and requesting permission to traverse the fish barrier, along with receiving a pamphlet telling you about all the hazards. It did take a while to do this, but at least it was free. There is now talk that they are going to increase the voltage again and thus stop all traffic again. Fortunately, we made it through before any changes that might take place and we seem to have sustained no damage whatsoever.
Our next delay was encountered at the Lockport Lock. It was closed so when we requested permission to lock through they had to raise the water level before opening the lock for us to enter. That took around half an hour before we could enter. Our destination for the night was Joliet, Illinois. There is free dockage on the wall at the park. We were very happy to arrive and even happier when we found two other looper boats there ready to help us with dock lines. There are four loopers on the wall tonight. Us, Emotion 3 (who traveled with us today), Miss Ruby and Second Star. We all shared happy hour on benches in the park and compared stories of our journey.
As night fell, we all retired to our respective boats for dinner. After dinner, we took a short walk and then back to the boat for blogging and route preparation, then it was off to bed. It had been a long day.
Monk's Vineyard at the marina. Notice that her mast in down and ready for the low bridges we would encounter today.
A boat in the marina ended up on the rock breakwater as it was going out. The rescue boat from the fire department soon arrived.
The fire boat was not big enough, so soon a police boat came to assist
Soon they had everything under control and off they went.
As we departed the marina, the tops of the skyscrapers were shrouded in low level clouds
The first lock, Chicago Harbor Lock. If you look in the distance just after the first bridge, you can see a large spray of water. A fountain sends out the huge spray every hour on the hour for 10 minutes. By the time we were through the lock, the spray had quit .... so we didn't get wet.
Departing the lock
The first bridge ahead
The view of the skyline as we started down the river
The fountain that puts out the spray of water
The Trump Building in front of us. The bottom level (which you can't really see in the picture is (or will be) retail shops. The next level is a hotel. Next 2 levels are office space and the top level is condos.
One of the "corn cob" buildings we showed in our pictures a couple of days ago. As you can see, the very bottom has boat slips for residents, the lower levels are garages and then the upper floors are condos.
Several more bridges ahead.
Water taxi and tour boat traffic .... however it wasn't too busy this Monday morning.
Emotion 3 behind us
A tour boat heading north up the North Branch of the river
... and we headed down the South Branch
The Civic Opera Building
More bridges .... as you can tell, there is one every block
Here's the Willis Tower again .... with the Ledges sticking out. We were there a couple of days ago.
We passed by Union Station
Three more bridges and a tour boat
Around Roosevelt Bridge, the tall buildings disappeared and the landscape suddenly turned industrial.
The Amtrak Station
A cool looking bridge
A pagoda-like building and park. This would be the last "pleasant looking" thing we'd see for quite a while.
The Amtrak Bridge. We were stuck here for around an hour waiting for it to open. We asked the bridge operator how long before it would open ..... he said "a while". 
After about 7 or 8 trains, mercifully, it finally lifted and off we went.
There are huge sand and gravel operations all along this part of the river
.... and here is some garbage. Quite a contrast from all the buildings we had been looking at an hour earlier.
A very unique, very low bridge
ooohhhh .... we made it !!!
This was our first barge passage. We called the captain on the radio for passage instructions and he indicated he was moving to the LDB and to pass on the one whistle. You have to learn tug/barge jargon on the rivers. What he was telling us is that he was moving to the left descending bank and for us to pass him on his starboard (right) side.
A unique way to paint a bridge
This is the confluence of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal with the Calumet River and Sag Channel. Those boats that are taller than 17 feet have to take the Cal-Sag because they cannot make the lower bridges on the Chicago River portion.
Some tight navigation up ahead ... barges on both sides ... also notice the overhead pipeline
This says it all .... just read the sign
... and now they let you know you're out of danger
Lockport Lock, the second lock of the day
Gerry looks happy ..... we are almost through with this day
Carole on Emotion 3 checking out the clearance under the bridge
A nice church in Joliet .... but you had to look through barges to see it
Four Loopers on the wall .... Miss Ruby, Second Star, Monk's Vineyard and Emotion 3
.. and what we had waited for all day .... HAPPY HOUR!! and we were happy the day's trip was over. It was certainly unique. I think we saw the good, the bad, and definitely some ugly.
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