Just Damn Fun! The Chicago Air & Water Show by Water.

The previous weekend was the Chicago Scene Boat Party but we aren't much into hanging with a bunch of Douchebags with SeaRays rafted 10 wide feeding drunk girls cocaine and ecstasy.  We know it's not all that, but it does have that reputation.  So we avoided it.  The one thing we never miss is the Chicago Air & Water Show however because 'Merica!

Blue Angels rise above.

On Saturday we fired up Cygnet and left about 11AM for the 45 minute trip from the marina to the lake.  We just missed the lock so we had to wait but once inside you realize how many boaters really have no clue how to drive their boat.  Some people are absolutely clueless, including a hired captain we saw piloting a pontoon from our marina.  The girls aboard definitely looked scared and the guy was messing it up for everyone else.  Eventually we made it out to the lake and found a relatively open area among the sea of boats.  We were anchored in the southeastern most area that the other boats were using so we figured it was a good spot to hang out and easy to escape back to the lock after the show since we all had a birthday party to go to.

Two right side up, two upside down.

Photo Courtesy of Tommy Wike.

We swam, and had a great time.  The wind was facing the boat northeast so we mostly sat on the aft deck or the swim platform and watched the show from there.  When the show was over it was another fight for lock space but we got in by being aggressive.  

Day two was similar but we had a few more people aboard including our friend from Norway who asked if we could go out that day.  We naturally obliged especially since the weather this year was very nice.  We had hot humid days perfect for swimming in the 71 degree lake.  Last year Sunday was cancelled due to fog and Colette never got to see the show.  On the way out we picked up some fine folks who spent a month at River City this summer before heading to a more special and private slip in Streeterville.  We had to be very aggressive to make it in the packed lock, but we made it. 

New additions this year were the Breitling Jets.  Cool display!

We didn't see any of the "water" part of the Air & Water show but we saw some excellent displays of precision and stunt aircraft flying.  We decided Sunday to go closer to the action and since only about 1/3 of the boats were out as Saturday it was easy to find a spot near North Ave. Beach.  The wind was the opposite as Saturday so the bow was the spot to watch the show, which was welcomed as it has lots of space and better views.  We thoroughly enjoyed the show and just counted ourselves lucky to have such a great boat to host others aboard.

Blue Angels buzz Cygnet.

Of course we had an issue, it's never a day on the water without problems.  Our generator decided to backfire quite badly after running for the entire trip out and sitting while anchored.  When Kevin went to start it it backfired with a huge boom.  Kevin had left the engine blowers running the entire time out on the water (it helps keep it cooler inside on a hot day with hot engines) so it wasn't our mistake.  We'll have to get into the generator issue soon and see what the problem may be, but it might just be a fluke.  We left it off the rest of the day.

Strange star in the sky.

So water we thinking about our days on the water?  The entire weekend was awesome and we were in the world's best city watching an amazing display of technology and skill with great friends on our favorite place to be, Cygnet.  Our decision to live aboard in Chicago is 100% validated now.