Ahoy Matey!

It is quite a sight to take in when scoping out the vast waters of Lake Michigan from downtown Chicago! It’s beautiful colors resembling those of a tropical region make it hard to believe you are not actually looking out at an ocean, rather a VERY large lake. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States.

So next time you are in Chicago be sure to check out Lake Michigan… I mean, next time you are on Lake Michigan be sure to check out Chicago! That’s right, you heard me correctly! I am talking about a River Boat Tour! Lake Michigan is a sight to see indeed, but it is even more amazing to take an excursion on its open waters and catch sight of the Windy City.

I was recently in Chicago and took a River Boat Tour. We began by making our way through the Chicago River and learned about the history and architecture of the buildings that towered over us and guided our path. I learned, interestingly, that in the 1800’s the flow of the river was reversed towards the Mississippi River basin, away from Lake Michigan, for sanitation purposes. Throughout the course of our journey we saw the NBC Tower, the Tribune Tower, and the Trump International Hotel and Tower. We saw the “Jewelers’ Building” known for its parking on the lower 23 floors and a car lift that allowed transfers for jewelry merchants. As we floated by Marina City, we noticed its infamous corn-cob shaped towers. In addition was the Civic Opera House, which resembles the shape of a huge chair and is often referred to as “Insull’s Throne”. Of course we could not have puttered by without a glimpse of the Willis Tower, once known as the Sears Tower, which at the time of its completion in 1973, was the tallest building in the world.

But what was most breathtaking was once the boat was set free on Lake Michigan just as the sun was going down. We squeezed through the Chicago Harbor Lock, which allows vessels to make the transition form the lower water of the Chicago River into the higher Lake Michigan water. Once we were beyond the Lock we turned to take in a view of the city that cannot be seen from even the Willis Tower. With its movement of bright colors, the city stuck out as a spectacle with the fading sun cowering behind it. We passed by the Navy Pier and Chicago’s iconic Ferris Wheel, which flashed with white lights. We were able to see Buckingham Fountain, the recognizable fountain from the show “Married… with Children”.

All in all, if you are planning a trip to Chicago you have to get your sea legs ready and your cameras charged. A trip along its famous waterways will have you ooh-ing and ahh-ing… or should I say argggg-ing!