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[Does anyone have any experiences navigating or sailing around these areas?]

Evanston, IL, One of the cities just 15 miles north of Chicago has announced that it intends to study the feasibility of an offshore wind farm that would be located 6 - 9 miles from shore in Lake Michigan. The project would take up about 1 square mile and consist of approx. 10 wind turbines.

Does anyone have any experiences navigating or sailing around these areas?
These projects seem to be gaining momentum here in the states.

The US offshore wind market is finally ramping up: Though no projects have been completed yet, Oregon, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Delaware  all have offshore wind farms in various stages of development. Meanwhile in Europe, offshore development continues strongly.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/denmark-to-get-another-offshore-wind-farm-207-megawatt-rodsand-2.php

Here is a link to the Tech Wiki that has some "before and after" photos of the sole refinishing.

http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=DIY_Refinishing_-_Before_%26_After_photos

[The Subject line will become the Photo Caption.]

Yes, you are able to add descriptions and boat names to the photo uploads.

The Subject line will become the Photo Caption.
You can add Owner's name, boat name, year, and hull number.

In the Message Area: add a short description where the photo was taken.

Attach your photo to the email and hit send. Don't worry about the size, anything under 2mb should be fine.
After a few minutes it will appear in the Flickr account.

This link will get you started.  http://c34.org/photos/
After signing in with the same Username and password you use for the Tech Notes area, a page will be displayed with these same directions and the Email address that will send your photo to Flickr.

When you "Mouseover" the photo on the home page, the photo details will appear.

[http://c34.org/photos/]

If you came through the Home Page on your way to the forum, (sounds like an old Bob Hope movie)
you may have noticed that for the last few months, the photo has been changing every 2 weeks.

The photos are from the C34 Flicker account, so if you have a photo(s) of interest, upload a few today!

Don't worry about the size, just upload it via the directions posted at:
http://c34.org/photos/    (C34IA members only)

It's as easy as sending an Email.

as I always say, "Time flies when you're having rum!"

Since I started this thread.... Old man winter has paid a visit to the Great Lakes area.
It's been snowing in Chicago for the last 20 hours, and although we only have 7" on the ground, another 5 are expected before morning. I think I'll wax up those cross country skis....

Ron,
Where are you guys putting all that snow? I hope it's not THIS bad!

Here in Chicago, we feel your pain.
This is what only 22 inches of snow did to us in 1967.
I can't imagine 30+ inches in a busy city....

This is Lake Shore Drive, right along Lake Michigan on the north side of the city.
In fact, the building just to the left of the Route 14/41 sign is where I live.
Just a snowball's throw from the harbor.

I'm sure I speak for the entire fleet when I voice a concern for the hearty sailors around the Chesapeake this weekend. More snow than you've seen in how many years?

I heard our local weatherman say tonight that in the last three years combined Washington, D.C. has gotten only 22 inches of snow. The storm starting tonight has the potential of 24 - 30 inches of snow before it lets up.

Hope the galley is well stocked...

How about a 67 Rambler with "3 on the tree"!

I bet this will bring back some memories...

http://cruzintheavenue.com/CarsWeDrove.htm

If you plan on attending Strictly Sail Chicago, make a point to stop by the Catalina Display and meet the Commodore! I will be working the Catalina Association booth Friday evening from 5 p.m. 'till closing time.

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After the show closes on Saturday, head over to the Hampton Inn at 33 W. Illinois, and rub elbows with Frank Butler and Sharon Day. Festivities begin at 8:00 p.m. in the large hospitality suite on the second floor. Soft drinks, pizza and salad will be served. The cost is $10.00 per person and will be collected at the door.

The Navy Pier Shuttle stops at the corner of State and Illinois, and runs every 30 minutes. Or, it's a pleasant 20 minute walk weather permitting.

Jim,

I have a wired remote for my autohelm that is mounted on a quick release bracket on the starboard side of the companionway. I am able to stand on the top stair, protected by the dodger, and control the boat from there. It has all the same readouts as my pedestal instruments; wind speed and direction, boat speed, depthmeter, xtrack error, and even the ability to tack.

I find it useful getting the boat dead into the wind when raising the main. It's also great for staying out of the weather without losing the ability to make course corrections on days when the weather is less than ideal.

And I know this will sound crazy, but I also use it to make course adjustments when I am at the mast setting the cruising spinnaker. It has a 25 foot long cord that will easily stretch to the bow. Granted, that the conditions have to be ideal for me to singlehand the cruising spinnaker, but I find the remote very useful.

When I bought the boat from the previous owner, the connection jack was installed, but the remote was not part of the sale. I had to go and buy it myself, and now I understand why. I don't think I'll give mine up either, it would be hard to part with.

The time to beat on the Web Cup Course is....

[Santa says,]

Santa says,
Time for a little fun!
http://www.c34.org/sailing.html

I expect to see some low times posted here....

Weathermen here in the Midwest are calling the current storm on the East Coast, "The Perfect Storm."
The remnants of tropical storm Ida and a Canadian high pressure have created quite a combination it seems, and has claimed at least two commercial fishermen so far.

Hope all our members out east are faring well.