[Sloop Scoop pre-season 2004] #4, May 18 -- June 6

[Sloop John B]

You've seen those sailboats on the water and we'll join them soon!

This is hopefully the bridge Sloop Scoop between preseason and season.  The 
grinding, filling and fairing on the keel is almost done and we'll be ready 
to paint the bottom and wax the hull by Wednesday.  Thanks to our wood 
wench Monique for working on the wood with us on Tuesday.  We could use 
help if anyone's available on Wednesday or Friday (or possibly Thursday 
morning, I'll have to check with Sailor Mike).  We're tentatively (but more 
definitely than last week's tentatively) set to take the boat up the river 
this Saturday morning with Gordon and the Isle Marie.  Sailor Mike is busy 
tutoring at that time, so I will need some help crewing and can take a 
couple other people along for the ride.

We may try stepping the mast on Saturday afternoon if we get some fresh 
crew at Jackson Park to meet us after the river trip, or we'll try stepping 
the mast on Sunday.  Ideally we'd be able to tune rigging and take a 
shakedown cruise on Sunday or Monday.  (Ideally means that I get all of my 
paper's graded, finish all the work for the classes I'm taking . . . and 
the weather and the boat cooperate!)  I'm headed to Yale for my 20th 
reunion during the Memorial Day weekend, so I won't be on the boat then, 
and I'd really like to go sailing in May . . . .

I get back from New Haven on Tuesday evening (June 1st) and have scheduled 
tentative sails for Wednesday night and for Friday afternoon.  We're 
scheduled to be committee boat for a MORF race on June 6th, and I'll need 
crew for that--especially people who would be interested in 
racing.  Committee boat is a great opportunity to learn about starts, 
finishes, handicapping and scoring, time, instruments, flags etc, and it's 
a great social event, too (since between the start and the finish you just 
sit at anchor for hours).  Let me know if you can commit the day--it will 
be a long day--we'll probably leave around 0845 and be back around 1730.

The directions for both the boatyard and the harbor are below.  I'm getting 
excited!

Anticipating the launch,

Skipper Schuy/Lisa
Land:  773-752-6266, Cell:  773-343-0153
E-mail:  sloopscoop@jewellgems.com
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SCHEDULE (many things permitting . . .)

___Wednesday, May 19th
Afternoon work party for those with a free weekday afternoon.  We'll finish 
up the painting and waxing.  Meet at the boatyard at 1330 hours.

___Friday, May 21st
Tentative morning or afternoon work party for those with a free 
weekday.  We'll finish up the painting and waxing if it's not done.

___Saturday, 5/22
River trip.  We'd try to leave the boatyard as close to 0900 hours as 
possible.  We need to coordinate transportation from Jackson Park harbor 
down to the boatyard (to avoid having to reclaim cars down at the boatyard 
later).

Tentative mast stepping at Jackson Park.  Meet around 1400 hours (we should 
be there by then).  We'll prep the boat for stepping even if we can't step 
the mast on Saturday.

___Sunday 5/22
Mast stepping in the morning if it hasn't been done (and if it is possible 
at that time).  I have to go to a my building's shareholder meeting in the 
afternoon.

___Monday 5/23
Shakedown cruise (if it hasn't happened yet).  Meet at the harbor at 1000 
hours.  It'll be short--I *should* head back to the darkroom for the rest 
of the day.

___Tuesday 5/24
Tentative shakedown cruise (if it didn't happen on Monday).  Meet at the 
harbor and 1000 hours.  We'll be back by 1230 hours at the latest.

___Wednesday 6/2
Evening cruise.  Meet at the harbor at 1800 hours.

Friday 6/4
Midday cruise.  Meet at the harbor at 1100 hours.  Bring something to grill 
for lunch.

Sunday 6/6
Committee Boat for MORF Lady Skipper Race #1.  Meet at the harbor at 0815 
hours.  Bring something to grill and something to share for lunch.  We 
should be back by 1730 hours.
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DIRECTIONS (driving) to the BOATYARD
The boat's located at Croissant Marina, approximately S. 142nd St., just 
east of Torrence Avenue, in the fenced part of the yard.  I usually take 
the Dan Ryan to the Bishop Ford (used to be Calumet Expy)--the left fork at 
the end of the Dan Ryan (to stay on I-94, vs. the right fork, which is 
I-57).  I get off at the Dalton exit going east, take Dalton to Torrence 
(at that point Dalton has become State street), where there is a stoplight 
(I haven't counted stoplights to that point yet, but it's about a mile from 
the expressway).  Turn left (north) at Torrence and go over the bridge and 
take your first left at the bottom of the bridge (there should be a sign 
there for the Waterfront Pub).  Take that street (I think it's 143rd) until 
it hits the gravel lot and bear right around the fenced section.  There's a 
lot by the Waterfront Pub, which will be on your left, or you can park 
along the fence (ther are too many boats right now to pull your car in any 
further)  Walk east (the direction you were driving in the yard) until the 
opening and turn right into the yard and follow the line of boats along the 
fence.  The stern is facing the road.
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DIRECTIONS to the HARBOR
--Driving, bus, "L" and bus, Metra, bike/in-line skates/walking
-----
Driving directions
The address is 6400 S. Promontory Drive in case you want to put it in 
Mapquest or Yahoo! maps. It's at the south end of Lake Shore Drive, by 
LaRabida Children's hospital.

***2004 NOTE: CONSTRUCTION ON SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE (the lanes will be 
limited and will get detoured. I'll try to update this through the summer 
as it happens.)***
Get on Lake Shore Drive going south (you're on your own for that part!). 
Take Lake Shore Drive until you are forced off at the Musuem of Science and 
Industry.  LSD is detoured onto Cornell Drive (also called the inner drive) 
which meanders through Jackson Park.  Stay in the leftmost southbound lane 
through a couple of stoplights.  When you reach 63rd street, there will be 
a stoplight and a left turn lane--get in that land and turn left.  You will 
continue through the park and get a chance to admire the gilded statue of 
Columbus which marked the entrance to the Columbian Exposition in 
1892.  Bear right at the statue and continue past the phantom harbor on the 
left (it's for those OTHER kind of boats) until the road bends 
left.  There's a light -- it's the end of Lake Shore Drive 
someday.  Continue straight past that intersection and stay to the 
left.  You'll see the harbor on your left. Stay in the left hand lane which 
becomes a turning lane which turns into La Rabida Children's Hospital (I 
think there's actually a light here now). Take this left and at the fork 
bear left and continue on the road straight past La Rabida (eventually on 
your right) and look for parking. The yacht club is on your left. There 
will be a gate that looks locked but it isn't; you can still open it. If 
you park closer to the parking lot entrance, walk down the parking lot ramp.

 From the south:
Get to 6700 South any way you can (Bishop Ford freeway to Stony Island exit 
and North to 67th and Stony, Dan Ryan to 69th street exit and east to Stony 
Island and then north to 67th Street, call for other options) and head east 
to Jeffery Blvd. There is a park/golf course on the left, a gas station on 
the right, and a light. Turn left at the light and get into the right lane 
immediately. Take the first right (US 41). After the turn, you'll see the 
harbor on your left. Get in the left hand lane which becomes a turning lane 
which turns into La Rabida Children's Hospital (I think there's actually a 
light here now). Take this left and at the fork bear left and continue on 
the road straight past La Rabida (eventually on your right) and look for 
parking. The yacht club is on your left. There will be a gate that looks 
locked but it isn't; you can still open it. If you park closer to the 
parking lot entrance, walk down the parking lot ramp.

--------------------
Bicycle, in-line skates, walking from the north:
The construction affecting the bike path is done!  Take the bike path 
south.  You'll know you're close when you pass the Museum of Science and 
Industry and then the large beach house for 63rd street beach.  The harbor 
is just south and east of the beach house.  Continue south, turn left with 
the path as it continues around the south end of the harbor and when you 
reach the first street, with the sign for La Rabida Children's hospital, 
turn left onto the street.  The road goes uphill (this is relative, it's 
Chicago) and at the fork bear left around the harbor.  Take the road to the 
end and come down the parking lot ramp. Bring a cable lock if you have one; 
there is a bike rack to the left, beyond the small white ice house, between 
the mast rack and the dinghy rack.
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Public transportation:

Bus:
Get downtown (again, you're on your own), and you have a few options:

Take the #6 bus (Jackson Park Express it runs south down State Street 
between Lake and Congress, and then runs down Michigan to Balbo and turns 
at Balbo to get on Lake Shore Drive) to 67th and South Shore Drive.  Cross 
the street to the lake and walk along the sidewalk/bike path north until 
you reach the first street on your right. There will be a sign for La 
Rabida hospital. Turn right and head uphill (this is Chicago, so this 
uphill stuff is relative) and bear around to the left when it forks. Walk 
until you see the gate to the Yacht Club (on the left hand side of the 
street). It looks locked, but it's not. Come on down!

Better yet, if it's a weekday, take the #14 (Jeffery Express) (gotta call 
the CTA for this route but it's on State or Michigan for part of it's 
route)--to 67th and Jeffery. There is a golf course to the north and two 
gas stations on either side of the street to the south. From there you have 
two options: walk or another bus.
*Walk east across Jeffery and then north across 67th street and the golf 
course to the end of Lake Shore Drive. You'll see the sailboat harbor on 
your right (there's a powerboat harbor on the left. You don't want to go 
there. Cross the street (I suggest with the light, here!) and you'll end up 
on the bike path. Take the path east (turn right when you get across the 
street) and then turn left on the first street you come to (on the left). 
There is a sign for La Rabida Children's Hospital. Keep to your left as the 
road forks and walk until you see the gate to the Yacht Club. It looks 
locked, but it's not. Come on down!
*Take the #67 bus east. *Every other* #67 goes to LaRabida, so ask the 
driver if he is going there. Take the bus to La Rabida, and you'll see the 
harbor on your left. Walk to the gate (which looks locked but isn't) and 
come on down!

Again if it's a weekday, take the #28 Stony Island Express (again check the 
CTA for where to wait downtown) to 67th street and take the #67 bus east 
(see rest of directions in previous paragraph).


"L" train & bus
Take the Red Line (Dan Ryan/Howard) to 67th street
or take the 67 (67th street) bus to the end of the line (every other 67th 
street bus goes to La Rabida and hence the harbor). You'll see the harbor 
on your left. Walk to the gate (which looks locked but isn't) and come on 
down! (If you don't want to wait for the La Rabida 67, take any 67 to 67th 
and Jeffery and follow the directions for walking from 67th and Jeffery above).
OR . . . (if the green line is more convenient for you)
ON WEEKENDS DURING THE SUMMER ONLY--Take the green line (the branch that 
turns *east*, not the one that turns west--it's every other train) to the 
end of the line at 63rd and University. Take the 63rd street bus east to 
the end of the line--that will be the beach at 63rd. You'll see the harbor 
to the south. Walk along the bike path until turns to the left (at the end 
of Lake Shore Drive). Take the path east (the harbor will still be on your 
left) and then turn left on the first street you come to (on the left). 
There is a sign for La Rabida Children's Hospital. Keep to your left as the 
road forks and walk until you see the gate to the Yacht Club. It looks 
locked, but it's not. Come on down!

Metra
Take the "Metra Electric District South Shore Branch" (NOT the "South Shore 
Line", which is a different animal) train from either the Randolph, Van 
Buren, or 12th Street stop on Michigan Avenue stations. You
have two choices. You can get off at the "Bryn Mawr" stop (at 71st and 
Jeffery, named after Bryn Mawr school--which was my grammar school (and 
which has since been renamed) -- just down the block) or the "South Shore" 
stop (71st and South Shore Drive, across from the South Shore Country 
Club). The Bryn Mawr stop is slightly closer, the South Shore stop is a 
nicer walk along the lake.
--From Bryn Mawr stop, walk north (the tracks run east/west at that point, 
so if you face the direction the train was headed in and turn 90 degrees to 
your left, that will be north) along the right hand side of the street 
through the next light (67th street) and along the park/golf course until 
you reach south end of Lake Shore Drive. You'll see the sailboat harbor on 
your right (there's a powerboat harbor on the left. You don't want to go 
there). Cross the street (I suggest with the light, here!) and you'll end 
up on the bike path. Take the path east (turn right when you get across the 
street) and then turn left on the first street you come to (on the left). 
There is a sign for La Rabida Children's Hospital. Keep to your left as the 
road forks and walk until you see the gate to the Yacht Club. It looks 
locked, but it's not. Come on down!
--From South Shore stop, cross the street to the north to reach the 
entrance of the country club. Follow the sidewalk/bike path north and west 
along the country club golf course and the lake and the park and parking 
lot until you reach the first street on your right. There will be a sign 
for La Rabida hospital. Turn right and head uphill (this is Chicago, so 
this uphill stuff is relative) and bear around to the left when it forks. 
Walk until you see the gate to the Yacht Club (on the left hand side of the 
street). It looks locked, but it's not. Come on down!