Sunday June 13 Monroe Harbor Chicago

I left Larry and Susan’s wonderful home (Thank you again, guys, for your hospitality!), and rode east towards Monroe Harbor to meet Plill and MaryJane at the Columbia Yacht Club.

I was really excited about finally seeing the club, after having heard so much about it.

Phill met me at the parking lot, together with Terry, the Commodore of the Rotary Yachting Fellowship and his wife Meryl.

We grabbed my stuff, I changed out of my bikers togs to more presentable attire and headed for breakfast on the club deck. What a location! The Chicago skyline and the boats in the marine, the harbor and the park on the waterfront all created a unique setting.

Alycia joined us for breakfast and Phill gave us the grand tour of this historic icebreaker and ferry converted into a luxurious yacht club.

I was astonished to learn that the propulsion system was diesel-electric and that 16 !! engines were needed to power the ship.

We took pictures of the group and then moved to Phill’s yacht, a beautiful and well set up Catalina 39. The space is unbelievable and the woodwork light and airy, a great boat.

Soon we were on the water, weaving our way through the many boats sailing along the Illinois shore.

There was even a tall ship schooner around!

Chicago treated us to interesting sights with the skyscrapers partly hidden by fog, very special.

After docking the boat we drove back to Monroe harbor to collect our vehicles and Alycia guided me back to Montrose harbor where I would spend the night on Phill’s boat.

We met again at Phill’s and admired their beautiful home and the garden, landscaped by MaryJane.

We all had dinner at Uncommon Ground, a jazz tavern that serves food and a large selection of local beers.

I had a 312, named after one of the subway lines, and a Lake Erie Monster, quite good.

The night on the boat was very cozy, despite the rain. The boat is very comfortable for living aboard. Could this be my next project??

The Trans America ride
is a small effort to help transform the lives of poor Maya children. During my trip I will speak about the importance of educational projects like Ak Tenamit, and especially girl´s education, and its connection to illegal immigration in the United States.


YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANS AMERICA RIDE!!

The target of the ride is to raise $10.00 for each mile of the ride.

I you decide to support this ride, you may:

1. Buy miles: Buy one or more miles at $10.00 per mile. There are 3,500 miles to be sold.
2. Sponsor a local event when I am in your area (a ride, a barbecue) for a $200.00 minimum.
3. Become a Student Sponsor at Ak´Tenamit for $30.00 (one month) or $360.00 per year
4. Become a Health Care Partner for $10.00 or $120.00 per year.

All funds should end up in the GUATEMALA TOMORROW FUND in the United States.

If you would like to sponsor a child, become a Health Care partner or simply want to buy one of the 3500 miles of the ride , just go to http://guatfund.org/

Tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card.

If you prefer to not to use a credit card, just see Chapter 5 of this Blog on how to donate.

JEAN , THE RIDING DUTCHMAN

transamerica.tenamit@gmail.com