September 16-25, 2026
On our way from Michigan City, IN to East Chicago, Lake Michigan had to give us one more ride for our money. The almost three hour trip was just an up and down mess of waves. Definitely felt like being in a washing machine. I don’t know if it was because we were so far south on the lake, but the fetch was like a bathtub and it was not fun. I was so glad to get to the East Chicago marina!
On the hunt to find a place where we could leave the boat for a week, we found the East Chicago Marina. To compare, the Navy Pier marina is $550 a night, for the entire time we were at East Chicago (10 days), we paid $300. Now, we weren’t in the middle of Chicago, but we did take the train in and enjoyed a great meal with a dear friend I have known for 55 years (ever since elementary school!). It just so happened that Mike was in town for a business trip and was able to meet for dinner. I don’t think we had seen each other for 20 years, but every time we see each other, it feels like yesterday. Those are the kind of good friends that even though you lose contact, you are always going to have them in your life.
Train ride into Chicago.
Yep, Mike is damn tall - 6 ft. 5 inches.
We were heading back to Cincinnati for four days to see my mom, brother (Carl), sister-in-law (Maggie) and friends. Carl and Maggie were amazing in allowing us to stay at their place. The wonderful thing is they both love Bella. So nice to be with them and to get to talk about our lives, their kids, and the world.
Of course, we had to go to Skyline, the chili institution of Cincinnati!
Mom is absolutely amazing. She looks the same as she did when she was 70 years old. We had a wonderful time with Mom, Carl and Maggie at the Primavista Saturday night. Carl was updating us about the University of Cincinnati game which didn’t look good until the last 10-15 minutes of the game. Good news, UC won!
We celebrated our 39 wedding anniversary with everyone that evening. It felt like old times being with our family overlooking the city where we have lived for so many years.
Of course, you can’t go back to Cincy without seeing close friends. MK, Rach and I have been friends, well, let’s just say we’ve been friends since nap time was mandatory and pants were optional. These two are my confidants, windows into the world, and overall amazing souls. We talk about everything and nothing.
My other close friend, Chris is a faculty member at UC and is a passionate, energetic and dear person. He was my “work husband” before I retired and the three of us share a special bond.
We also checked in our boat at Four Seasons. We have tried to sell it for the last 4 months. Thought we had a buyer, but it fell through. Anyone want a boat cheap?
The other reason we had make the trek back to Cincy was doctor and dentist’s appointments. Howie and I did pretty much everything we could while in town-seeing our general practitioners, cardiologists (Howie), mammogram (me), and Dr. Heffernan’s amazing dental hygienist’s. We got it all completed.
Howie getting his teeth cleaned! These are AMAZING dental hygienists!
Back at East Chicago marina, we did an Instacart order, dropped off the rental car and had a great lunch at the Indiana Harbor Yacht club. Friday, September 25, we headed out of Chicago and onto the Calumet River that leads to the Illinois River.