Bumpy Trip to Chicago with Business Graduation - Part 1 (#47a)

We looked for the best weather window we could find to go on our last trip on the Great Lakes from Racine to Chicago. We decided to go on Labor Day, because Grayce and Alexander could join us then. The seas were to be 1 ft with 3 second periods which wouldn't have been that choppy. Throughout the day, the waves would have decreased. Unfortunately, our information was inaccurate and we had 2-3 ft seas the whole time, which made for a bumpy ride for our new passengers. Grayce got officially sick, and Alexander didn't feel great.

Luckily, both were thrilled with the opportunity to approach Chicago, the city Grayce has been living in for two years, by water.

Grayce trying to get air and look at the horizon.

Grayce making her face to describe her stomoach.

Grayce wanted me to take this picture while he had his eyes closed

Happy kids.

This was early on in the trip and was an accurate description of their 7 hours with us that morning.

It was fantastic seeing Chicago getting bigger in the horizon. Quite a wonderful experience for us all.

Our boat in Chicago. Since we are on the T-Head, it's hard to get a picture of the boat with Chicago in the background.

When we went to the Ship's Store, the motion sickness relief was one of the few fully stocked items they provided.

Our first night there, they took us to a fun restaurant in Wickham Market, and also to a show at Second City.

We were able to catch a couple of Looper boats going through the Chicago River on their way to go through the inland rivers and out in the gulf to Alabama. This will be the route we take.

In front of Navy Pier.

Under all the bridges. Many boats don't have the clearance to make it under the 17 foot clearance, so they take the alternate route that the barges use.

The highlight of the trip was getting to see Grayce's businesses graduate from the program she designed helping her student entrepreneurs be able to understand and communicate their finances confidently. Grayce has deferred her graduation from the University of Chicago until next year so she can have more time working with and supporting other businesses as she builds her business GAPPY Services.

Each student got an individual certificate at the ceremony.

This was a beautiful venue and fun to watch her in action.

Our stay in DuSable Harbor is for 10 days. Laura traveled to California for the second half of the trip.

More to come in Part 2.