Update #1, Saturday August 25th at 9:00 P.M. EST: Joe has left Silver Beach at 9 P.M. The forecast for tonight calls for clear skies. Northeast 10-15 knots of wind and waves are expected to be 3-5 feet.

Update #2, Saturday August 25th at 11:00 P.M. EST:  Joe has completed 7 miles and is on course.  He reports fair conditions but heavy current.

Update #3, Sunday August 26th at 8 A.M. EST:  Joe has completed 35 miles and he is 23 miles from Chicago.  Remarkable night with clear skies and 2 to 4 foot waves.  Heavy current and chop appear to be subsiding.

Update #4, Sunday August 26th at 11:30 A.M. EST:  Joe is seven miles from Chicago.  Light winds and 1 to 2 foot waves.  He's battling severe knee and shoulder strain but plans on making landfall around 2 P.M. EST.

Update #5, Sunday August 26th at 2:40 P.M. EST :  after 18 hours and 59 miles, Joe arrived safely inside the Chicago harbor. The last seven miles provided the most challenging conditions due to fatigue and bad choppy water.

More information and updates to come.....