A couple of comments on Chicago. Playpen: there is a channel between Navy Pier and the water filtration dock just north, may be called playpen. Don't go there, no safe anchoring, docking only for commercial. There is large anchorage in the north area of Chicago Harbor, north of the water dock and Navy pier, but there is no speed limit, so will not ever be calm and no dinghy dock. Monroe harbor has mooring balls with tender service, best option. There is no safe dinghy docking IMHO anywhere. CYC and Columbia nay have docking for yacht club members. DuSable is closest to the Loop. Burnham closest to the museums. Belmont closest to Wrigley and Lincoln Park. All are close to Metra and lakefront parks and bike path. There is day dock just before the Chicago lock, but it is $10+ /hour, no services. No overnight. Only cheap option in Chicago is 31st. Harbor south of Burnham, buy one night get one free. Beautiful new almost empty harbor but you will need transportation, it is several miles to the Loop. Can get Metra to Chicago and airports from Waukegan, North point and Kenosha. Racine is only $1/ft., has broadest restaurant, shopping and marine services on west coast. See Waterway Guide for full details. Bob Kunath Cruising Editor, Waterway Guide For Lake Michigan