This past Thursday Julie and I went on Time Out Chicago’s Summer on the Lake boat cruise of Lake Michigan.  We boarded the Shoreline Charters Evening Star at Navy Pier. The boat had an upper and lower deck and since there was a DJ upstairs and it looked like a storm was eminent we headed downstairs. Thankfully the food, drink and facilities were all downstairs (and it was Dance Party USA upstairs). The trip consisted of going down the entrance of the Chicago River and then back out onto Lake Michigan south towards Solider Field before turning north and going nearly up to North Avenue Beach. As you can see by the photographs above it looked like the sky would explode at any minute.

We had a great view of some of the building that you don’t usually associate with the lake such as the Field Museum and The Adler Planetarium.

Side Notes:

* A Pirate House Boat

** Note the monogram.

***The South Loop which is where I spend most of my day time.

**** Last years’ trip on Lake Michigan can be found here.

In high school I had to read Allan W. Eckert‘s The Frontiersmen as summer reading leading into my junior year for AP US History. We actually had a test the first day of class if I recall. The Frontiersmen is a historical narrative that follows the lives of Simon Kenton and Tecumseh with the backdrop of westward expansion into the Northwest Territory. Kenton was one of America’s first heroes. A general in the War of 1812, runner of the Gauntlet and he also rescued Daniel Boone‘s life in his spare time. The monument in Oak Dale Cemetery is one of the cooler grave markers I’ve ever seen. On each side is a head: Indiana, Bear, Wolf and a Mountain Lion. In other words what Kenton had to contend with on a daily basis.

Side Notes:

* I was in Urbana for a little trout fishing on the Mad River. As usual I didn’t catch anything.
** Previous fishing trips:  2009, 2005.