September 25, 2009

Well, I lied. Didn't write from Newburgh, and didn't write Monday, either. Oh my. Here goes a lengthy update! We did dock in Chicago. It was splendid. We were welcomed at the Columbia Yacht Club—whose building is the retired ice-cutting ferry ABGEWEIT. Beautiful old ship, refurbished to make a very unusual and special club. We couldn't have been more 'downtown'. Step off the ramp and the Millennium park is two blocks away. Mayor Daley has done a magnificent job of space for Chicagoans and tourists. The Jay Pritzker Pavillion—a National Medal of Art winner designed by Frank Gehry has an amazing steel ribbon and pipe design over and above the 120'stage and seating for 11,000. Free concerts are offered every summer day at noon. What fun it was to wander among the sculptures—the “Cloud Gate”--a seamless stainless steel kidney bean that reflects the cityscape and clouds, and provides a 12' arch below where it is a hoot to see and touch all the reflections. The crown fountain features –well, see the photo. 1000 Chicago citizens were photographed to show the diversity of the city. For 30 seconds every 5 minutes the children are 'squirted', the rest of the day they frolic in the thin layer of water between the columns. In the summer, the food court is, well, a food court. From Nov. to May, it becomes an outdoor skating rink. For many years, I've heard about the 'Pump Room in Chicago', almost as a joke. Turns out it is there, in the Ambassador Hotel, and we had dinner 2 booths away from the space reserved for Frank Sinatra when he was in town. OK, so it's a bit tired and looking for some tender loving care, but it is now off my 'bucket list'. Claudia, the launch driver gave me a very special hour on the water. I stowed away on the launch and we chatted as she shuttled folks to and from shore. Fun. Wed. afternoon, I saw a matinee of Jersey Boys, which,it was noted, included authentic New Jersey profanity. On Wednesday evening we were 'treated to the twice a week fireworks display. Chicago is a fine city and I hated to leave. But leave we did, and headed south (ahead of the ice and snow). Next stop, Dolton IL on the Calumet River. We arrived at Marine Services Marina in time for pot luck dinner with STILL BUSY, MEANDER, and RIFF RAFF. It's great to re-connect. Our weekend was spent cleaning the boat, working on the Carp barrier fiasco, and packing. I flew from O'Hare on Sunday morning to meet Maureen and Freddie, two long standing friends with whom I shared Nursing school in Minneapolis and apartments in San Francisco. Had a great visit in Ventura CA where we waded in the Pacific, spent hours over coffee and red wine, and did some touring. One stop was Ron Reagan's library—on a beautiful piece of land. An Air Force One is there, as well as an identical copy of the Oval Office. Spent a day in Ojai and Santa Barbara and enjoyed the missions, and the art that is everywhere in Ventura. Meanwhile, Fred was off to Kansas City, MO for a USPower Squadron meeting. I met him there on Thursday, and together we flew to NY on Sunday. How quickly we got into the Newburgh groove---spent time with all six of the seven children (and their children) who are in the area, caught up with friends and with the UU, MHPS, DOF's, and SBCA—the alphabet soup of our non-cruising life That week lasted about a day and a half, I think. YOUNG AMERICA has reclaimed us and today we're in the Des Plains River at Joliet, IL. Will catch up with this segment next week. Till then, keep smiling and share the love and laughter! Linda and Fred