The South Loop boating life

only seven bucks a ride

08/29/2010 8:50 PM

By Bonnie McGrath

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One of the smaller water taxis (photo by Bonnie McGrath)

One of my South Loop Life fantasies is that I own a boat in either Monroe or Burnham harbors. (I'd settle for a dingy chained to the concrete that I could throw into the drink at a moment's notice.) I'd like to walk out my door, walk down to the THE BOAT and either loll about for awhile or take it out on the open water for an evening spin. I love boats; I love to eat on them, throw off my shoes and sprawl around on them--and if I could, I'd buy one of those extremely upscale condos they are selling on the big around-the-world cruise ships and move in.


Alternatively, I have gotten into a wonderful habit. More often than not if I am going to Navy Pier or thereabouts, whether I am visiting the aero balloon or the Tall Ships, or a restaurant in the Grand-Ohio area, or whatever, I run to the Museum Campus--a few minutes' saunter--and pick up the water taxi. For seven dollars, I feel like I have access to my own boat. It takes less than 15 minutes to get from the Shedd Aquarium to Bubba Gump's. And I take it back home again. Sometimes it's practically empty and sometimes it's filled with tourists wearing stale perfume and carrying camera bags. Sometimes the ride is calm, like riding on glass; sometimes it's so wavy and rough, water sprays in and soaks me through and through. Some of the water taxis are big with wooden decks and fully stocked bars; some are primitive, small, crude and metallic.

Riding the water taxi--which comes around every few minutes throughout the day--is just like being rich and cool. It's an amazing amenity for us South Loopers and even if you take it day after day, it's still cheaper and less aggravating than owning your own boat.


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