Amanda Aboard

Sand Dunes on Lake Michigan Shore

Friends and family have been an important and most enjoyable part of this journey.  Our oldest daughter, Amanda, was able to join us in Michigan for a planned trip down Lake Michigan to Chicago.  Often, cruising on a boat does not proceed according to the plan.  This proved true during Amanda's visit as Lake Michigan was angry most days keeping Last Dance and crew in port.  There are great towns to visit in Michigan and Amanda was able to tour and visit Grand Haven, Holland, Saugatuck, and St. Joseph.  Since the lake would not permit a crossing, the crew rented a car and spent a few days touring Chicago, the end point of the plan.









There are many harbors along the Michigan shore of the lake.  They all have lighthouses on the end of the jetty protecting the inlet.  And, they all have quaint, interesting towns.  Grand Haven's lighthouse is unique in its boat-bow shaped first story designed to deflect the large waves that Lake Michigan often throws at the coast.

While Amanda enjoyed cruising on a trawler, she still has a strong desire for a sailboat.  While in St. Joesph, she found her dream boat, which she would name Black Beauty.  The boat is currently named Cheshire Cat, with the script laid out in a smile on the stern.  All of the hardware is gleaming stainless steel and it is truly a beautiful boat.


Chicago

High on Amanda's list of sights to see in Chicago was "The Bean", a reflective surface sculpture somewhat shaped like a bean.  As you move around the sculpture, the skyline and people change shape and perspective.

Although the temperatures were indicating that fall was arriving, the parks were still in full bloom.

Buckingham Fountain was also on Amanda's List

Architecture is a big part of the attraction of Chicago, with long walking tours and a visit to the Architecture Foundation fulfilled that aspect of the city.

Chicago is world-known as a food destination and no trip to this city would be complete without sampling some of the great foods and restaurant experiences.  Amanda is a "foodie," enjoying both the eating and preparation of good, tasty foods.  Chicago deep-dish pizza, or as one visited restaurant termed it, stuffed pizza, is a must.  Of the samplings, Giordano's received the highest marks.  Thai food is a favorite of Amanda's and her research found an outstanding Thai restaurant, Siam Rice.  Saturday brunch was fulfilled at Bistro Zinc, a French restaurant that proved to have amazingly tasty food.