[Sloop Scoop 2004] #11, September 1-15

[Sloop John B]

Sailors and would-be sailors--

What a gorgeous couple of weeks.  We've made it out quite a few times and 
will take advantage of the weather whenever it cooperates.  For those Sloop 
Scoop skimmers who don't read long posts, potential sailing opportunities 
are in the first couple of sections.  For those of you who actually enjoy 
reading about our adventures, the usual long-winded captain's log follows!

EXTRA-LONG LABOR DAY CRUISE TO WISCONSIN
Four of us are headed somewhere this weekend, leaving on Friday and 
returning to Chicago by Wednesday afternoon.  We'll probably go north, 
possibly as far as Port Washington, Wisconsin (but most likely we'll just 
make Milwaukee) but may at the last minute to go east to Michigan City, IN 
and/or St. Joseph, MI and/or New Buffalo, MI.  The weather looks good for 
either direction on Friday, and we'll see where we end up.  If you want to 
join us (or visit us) for any part of the trip, let me know.  You'll have 
to get where we are or get back home, but it's easy to get back and forth 
between Chicago and Wisconsin with the commuter trains.  I should be 
available via my cell phone if you want to find out where we are.

NEXT WEEKEND AND BEYOND
We'll be tired after the cruise so we haven't scheduled a Wednesday night 
cruise for next week, but we will sail both Saturday morning and Sunday 
afternoon, and we will plan on at least one weeknight, most likely 
Wednesdays, and one weekday as well as weekends until the end of 
September.  If you have a particular day you'd like to schedule, let us know.

. . . AND, OH, THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS
Since the last Sloop Scoop, we're been out several times for weeknight 
cruising.  Laura--I mean the Vangpire--double-handed with me a couple weeks 
ago on Thursday, and we were greeted with a beautiful BankOne Bankcard 
sunset.  It was a nice easy night, winds about 8-10 knots, and the rare 
glimpse of stars in Chicago.

This past Monday we also went out (a rescheduled cruise since we had to 
cancel on Sunday) and experienced a wonderful, red,  just-past-full 
moonrise amidst perfect south winds and flat seas.  Sailor Mike finally 
settled on the pirate name Vlad (keeping in the Vampire theme, especially 
since he has Romanian roots), and Arleigh finally got to meet the Vangpire 
(who's already been invited for dinner).

On Wednesday night my friend Joan brought her nieces Miryam and Anna and 
friends Robert,  Margie and Eric and we had a great sail down to the 
fireworks.  Anna, who's only 10, helmed a good part of the way with only a 
little bit of instruction from Vlad and I--she's a natural.  Her younger 
sister Miryam helped her for awhile and then entertained us by leading us 
in a show tunes sing-along.  The fireworks started, then were delayed due 
to technical difficulties (some of the fireworks were exploding too low 
(the guy on the radio said 5 feet off the barge, but I think that would 
have probably set the barge off at that height), then resumed with a nice 
little show.  We were right by the Chicago Lighthouse with all the cruise 
ships so it was a perfect vantage point.  It was a late night, and worth 
it, and the Sloop has new friends who may become more regular crew.

SAILING WITH MOMMY
My mom and Lute finally joined me to sail again last Friday; we found a 
little window amidst a week of "chance of thunderstorm" forecasts.  They 
hadn't been out with me since the first season I had the boat.  They joined 
us so we could finally get together with Rodney (my former father-in-law) 
and his wife Jane after a couple years of rescheduled attempts at lunch, 
dinner, sailing . . . .  We had a great sail and a great visit.  The water 
was flat and we had a steady west/southwest breeze, and the Sloop skimmed 
across the water at 6.5 to 7 knots for most of the trip.  My mom said she'd 
rather learn how to sail than learn how to use the computer, so she may get 
out before another seven years!

AIR AND WATER SHOW
We didn't make the Air & Water show practice day, but we did go to the Show 
on Saturday.  Winds were light to moderate, but we had huge swells left 
over from the previous day so we needed to motor-sail up to North 
Avenue.  On the way we got to rescue a fender from the water.  It took 
three tries--and on the last try people people (Sailor Mike, Gary and 
David) with two boat hooks and one set of bare hands--to finally corral the 
wayward fender.  David is the one who finally nabbed it with bare 
hands.  It's a black fender, which Eric immediately dubbed Flipper.

A little further north the effects of all the extra radar around (and 
possibly the existence of fellow Romanian Sailor Mike--I mean Vlad) sent a 
confused bat sailing into our sails in the middle of the day.  He finally 
landed on Igor (who was instantly named the pirate Iguano (luckily not 
because of the actual existence of guano)).  Eric befriended the little 
guy, who looked so cute as he walked up Eric's arm with his little 
wings.  Eric tried to put him in the cabin so he could rest, but although 
the little bat was really cute--but that didn't stop me from screaming 
"Aaaaaah a bat, get him away from me!" until he finally flew away (then I 
felt bad, I was warming up to the little guy, really, until Igor mentioned 
rabies, and that was it).  A couple of lovebirds visited later; I didn't 
scream at them.

We reached our destination and anchored around 1300 hours.  The swells were 
uncomfortable at anchor (especially with the powerboat wakes summed in 
there) so several folks (Mary, David, Schuy, Gary, and Eric) took the 
opportunity to jump in the lake.  We had the fenders out to hang on to, but 
one of the fenders was obviously upset by our attention to Flipper, so he 
swam away (alright, it was a badly tied bowline, but where's the human 
interest story in that?) and I had to swim for it.  I brought him back and 
we gave him a name too--he's now Beluga and knows he's wanted.  We also 
renamed a couple of the other fenders as long as we were at it--Reef and 
Moby.  Meanwhile, Eric was grillmeister (when he wasn't swimming) and we 
had Boca burgers and chicken (Eric had a happy meal since his plate made a 
nice little smiley face with Boca eyes and a chicken mouth).  Schuy and 
Mike the mixologists made Watermelon Lime and Ginger martinis--the Sloops 
new specialty drink.

The show?  Oh yeah, I guess it was fine.  Gary and Mike could actually 
identify the planes.  I didn't see much this year with all of the other 
excitements (and the late start from the harbor).  After the show we 
dropped Mary and Gary off at Burham Harbor so they could go to the Bears 
game and we had a nice sail/surf home.  We dropped off Igor and David and 
Eric, Sailor Mike and I headed back out briefly, but the winds had gone 
light and weren't letting us get to our destination (the crib) so we headed 
back in.

So . . . the season's finally picking up, even as it's winding down.  We 
had had cause to remember why we so love to sail, and we still have about 
four weeks of sailing left.  Hope to see you on the water.

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

___Friday 9/3--Wednesday 9/8
Labor Day cruise.  Call me on my cell if you want to hook up with us in port.

___Saturday 9/11
Late morning cruise.  Meet at the harbor at 1030 hours.

___Saturday 9/12
Afternoon cruise.  Meet at the harbor at 1400 hours.

___Wednesday 9/15
Sunset cruise.  Meet at the harbor at 1830 hours.  I think there will still 
be food to buy at the harbor, but you may want to bring food in case.  We 
should be back by 2130 hours at the latest.

----------------------------------------------------------------
ON THE HORIZON

Serene September Sailing

River trip     : (
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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 it ends.  It ends about a mile south of the 
Museum of Science and Industry, and there is actually a sign that says 
"Lake Shore Drive Ends."  Be sure to get and stay in the left hand lane 
once you pass the museum.  Turn left, following the signs for US 
41.  You'll be curving around the harbor on your left. Stay in the left 
hand lane which becomes a turning lane which turns into La Rabida 
Children's Hospital (There's actually a light there 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 (There's actually a light 
there 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.
--------------
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!