Wait Listed

The dog in the front row barked along to "All Creatures of Our God and King" as if singing with the congregation.  The focus this past Sunday at the Christ Lutheran Church (3253 W Wilson, Chicago) was on St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer “Lord, Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace.”  (We attended with Loopers Joel & Mary Beth, MV “West Wind”; Mary Beth’s daughter attends this church.) Because Saint Francis is also the patron saint of animals, the worship service concluded with a blessing of animals (breathing, stuffed, or featured in photographs) and singing the lively Three Dog Night hit “Jeremiah was a Bull Frog.” (The dog barked along on this tune too!)

Approximately 70 Looper boats are in the Chicago area awaiting passage through the locks towards the Mississippi River.   The Illinois River locks have been closed since September 20^th and were scheduled to re-open on October 5^th.  Due to extensive rainfall and flooding, work has been delayed and the locks are now to open on Monday, October 13^th.  Because there is expectation for lock congestion upon the opening (and commercial traffic trumps pleasure boat traffic), America’s Great Loop Cruising Association (AGLCA) is organizing our group and communicating with the Corp of Engineers (Lockmasters) to ensure our cruise is safe and smooth (Goals:  Looper boats enter locks in groups to assist Lockmasters; Lockmasters allow pleasure boats through locks without extended delays; Boaters understand dock/anchorage/fuel/water availability along the way).

Velsignet  is docked in Hammond Marina with several other Looper boats and their owners.  It’s a pleasant week to explore more of the Chicago area, get the engine oil changed, prepare meals for our upcoming cruising days, and get to know our fellow Loopers (church with Joel & Mary Beth, MV “West Wind”; Bike ride with Dwight & Chris and Ely, MN natives Steve & Cindy; informal gatherings on the dock, including “Docktails” with more than 10 other Looper boat owners).  This evening, we’ve plans with Steve & Kathy (MV “Red Pearl”) for Donito pizza and Chicago’s “The Best of Second City."  Tomorrow we leave for Noblesville, IN to gather with family (Mike's parents Glen & Marlys, their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren will be together!) and celebrate Claire and David's wedding.

Last Saturday, we visited our niece, Emily (daughter to Brenda's brother, Bret), and her boyfriend, Jason, in their downtown Fulton condo and neighborhood.  They are a fun young couple (Mike & Em took on Brenda & Jason in Kings Cribbage!)  and we are happy for them and so proud of Em as she is in her last year of medical school.  Next year:  residency!

These are the front doors of Christ Lutheran Church, a warm and welcoming place of worship.

 

There are very nice bike trails from Hammond Bay.  One could ride to downtown Chicago or to other suburban towns and neighborhoods.  We took a bike ride with 3 other Looper couples.  Our bike ride from the marina followed Lake Michigan and into Whiting.  Brenda is in front of the "Mascots Hall of Fame."  Wow!

Although this photo shows us carrying our bikes over railroad tracks, we actually had a very nice bike trail along the shoreline and into the city.

A post story:  “Whose computer is this?” Mike asked Brenda.  It wasn’t the computer he’d brought to Saint Paul or the one Brenda had packed for her return trip back to Velsignet.   There'd been a mix-up at the Humphrey Terminal at MSP and Brenda had made an unintended swap going through the TSA security.  We're now busy getting a new computer set up!