The second day of our Milwaukee trip, Saturday, started off on the wrong foot. Not only did I get NO sleep whatsoever because my mother snores like a bear in hibernation, but my ears were aching from leaving my iPod in all night. I had that sucker cranked, and I swear the louder I turned up the volume, the louder Mom’s snoring would get. It was horrible.
To save costs, we were staying at the Super 8 in West Bend. I made the reservation online after verifying they had WiFi and a clean swimming pool. They lied. The internet connection was shoddy, and very slow, and the front desk clerk assured me that after he reset the system things would be fine. No dice. I should have known that cheap hotels really are cheap.
I had to do some BlogHer work that morning and with an intermittent connection that worked at a snail’s pace it didn’t make my job any easier. After Googling “internet cafes” and finding only one, a coffee house down the street, I packed up the laptop and Dad drove me in that direction.
Turns out the coffee house was invisible. Meaning, the address 310 E. Washington Street didn’t exist. It jumped from 230 to 520. Interesting, don’t you think? Dad finally pulled onto a side street and asked some very nice bicyclists for directions to the Washington County Library, and thank heavens it was only a few blocks away. And they had WiFi. And it was fast. I was happy as clam.
After my work was finished, we took a tour of the Old Courthouse Museum in downtown West Bend, just a few streets over. It was a wonderful museum with many exhibits and thousands of historic artifacts. Some of my favorites:
Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Then Take Me Out to the Zoo!
Our mini-vacation to Milwaukee went surprisingly well. For a few days before we departed, I worried that anything and everything that could possibly go wrong, would. It didn’t and I’m eternally grateful to the forces that be for ensuring that Dawson and I had a great time in Beer Town.
We left our humble abode at 10 a.m. and made it to Milwaukee proper by 1:15, and I only made two pit stops. We veered off the beaten path at a cute little town called Lomira (where there were nearly 50 Vestas whirling in the vicinity), which is just south of Fond du Lac.
Then an hour later we stopped at a park in Wauwatosa so that I could stretch my legs and Dawson could burn off some pent up energy. Two and a half hours in a car could drive anyone crazy.
I expected horrendous traffic once I got near West Allis, but I realized it was a weekday, and the lunch hour rush was only beginning so we made it just in time. I’m positive traffic was worse downtown.
We finally went to our hotel in West Milwaukee, after 45 minutes of enjoying the beautiful day. We stayed at the Best Western Woods View, the same hotel we chose last year for our Mother’s Daygetaway. I love it because the hotel is walking distance from Miller Park (and we had Brewers tickets for that night), and it’s only a 15-minute drive to the Milwaukee County Zoo.
After check-in we changed into our swimming gear and went downstairs to the pool. The Doodlebug only asked me 25 times if we could go swimming so to shut him up I agreed. We swam until I turned into a California Raisin, and then I had to drag Dawson back to the room so we could rinse off the chlorine and get ready for the game. I realized once we were back in the room that I didn’t bring the camera to the pool. No big deal. If you’ve seen one hotel pool picture, you’ve seen them all.
The Brewer game was to start at 7:05 p.m. and because we were going to walk to the stadium we left at 5:30. I figured Dawson’s little legs wouldn’t be able to walk very fast. I was right. He dawdled and whined that he couldn’t walk anymore so I carried him and my gigantic purse/camera bag the rest of the way. That in itself was a cardio workout.
We got inside the stadium and I decided we needed Brewers t-shirts. The one I owned was from high school and much too small, and I wanted to commemorate Dawson’s first Brewer game. The souvenir sales person convinced me to get Dawson a t-shirt with a player name on the back and she asked, “Which one do you want? Braun, Hardy or Fielder?”
I thought to myself, Where are the Yount and Molitor shirts?
Had it really been 20 years since my last baseball game? I had to think hard about that. Then I remembered that after Dawson was born I sort of lost interest in baseball.
“I think we’ll take the J.J. Hardy shirt because his is the only name I recognize.” I said to the clerk.
She laughed and said, “First Brewers game?”
“It’s my son’s first Brewers game. My first visit to Miller Park. And to think I used to know the players by heart so many years ago. I know every Green Bay Packer, but sometime after giving birth I lost my baseball brain.” I chuckled.
“Now’s the time to get back into it.” she replied.
Fifty-seven dollars in souvenirs later, we found our seats, ordered two hot dogs, cotton candy, a super rope and a large soda, and watched the Brewers win 5-3 against the Dodgers.
Dawson was mesmerized by the lights, noise and Bernie Brewer, and he loved the Klements Races. He didn’t have one temper tantrum. I was truly in awe of how well behaved he was. Here are some of my favorite photos from the game:
Eating his first ballpark hot dog.
The Klements Races.
J.J. Hardy, short stop.
In his new t-shirt, watching a foul ball fly into the stands.
We stayed for all nine innings because my son was having such a great time. When the Brewers scored a run, the crowd went wild, fireworks went off and Bernie Brewer went down his slide. Dawson and I exchanged hi-fives, and I watched happily as my little buddy became a baseball fan. It was such a wonderful experience and I’m so happy that I could share it with him. (For those who are wondering, I won tickets to the game from a local radio station and Doug couldn’t get off work to go. Thus, Dawson and I had a “Mom & Son” date.)
The walk back to the hotel after the game was tough for the little guy, and once we got to our room, he fell asleep instantly.
The next day we slept until 9 a.m. (this is late for us), had the continental breakfast, and after checking out of the hotel, drove to the zoo. This time we tried to see all the things we didn’t see last year. Such as:
In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle, the Lion doesn’t sleep tonight.
Not a def Leopard.
White, and black, Stripes.
No clever, musical title for this photo, I just like giraffes.
“People all over the world
Join in
Jump on the zoo train, zoo train.”
I returned home from NYC on Saturday night, and I was too exhausted to post. I spent Sunday catching up with the family, unpacking, doing laundry and cursing TSA.
It seems their x-ray machine thought my souvenir snow globe was a “dangerous” or “forbidden” item and they decided they needed to cut the lock on my checked luggage to inspect these things. I totally get that since 9/11 security is tighter and measures are much more strict than the past. I understand why we have to take our shoes off to make sure we’re not hiding razor blades, knives or sharp pointed scissors. It’s inconvenient, yes, but I get it.
What I’m not to happy about is the fact that after inspecting my luggage, these assholes didn’t zip my suitcase all the way and several items were sticking out. Any Joe Schmoe could have gone through my shit, and taken or damaged things.
The lovely note from TSA saying they are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items really chapped my ass. Basically, they can do whatever they want in the name of airport security. I’m angry but I don’t really know at whom. The terrorists? Our fucked up government? Myself, for having the nerve to buy souvenirs and store them in my checked luggage that any asshole could rummage through? I had a wonderful trip, so I’m trying not to let this one incident ruin it.
Thursday morning I woke to the sounds of police sirens. For a split second I thought I was at home, sleeping peacefully in my own bed (the occasional police car races down the busy road behind my house, so I wasn’t startled by the noise). When I opened my eyes and saw the brick building outside my hotel room window, I quickly remembered I wasn’t in Wisconsin and I never sleep peacefully.
The alarm clock in my room was set for 7:15 a.m., but again my internal alarm went off twenty minutes ahead of my electronic wake-up call. I was groggy and then I realized that technically my body thought it was 5:55 a.m. What was I doing awake so early? I slept well for the most part. The bed wasn’t very comfortable, but I was so tired from the night before, I could have slept in the bathtub and never noticed.
I started the morning lazily. I was hungry, but I didn’t know where I wanted to eat for breakfast. I had a list of “must-see” attractions I wanted to get to, so I prioritized my itinerary, and eating an omelet didn’t make the cut.
After getting ready, I ventured toward the subway station. If I could use it successfully the night before, I would have no trouble the second time around. I had my map and studied it carefully before I left.
Then I took the wrong train. I wanted to go to Union Square and I knew I had to take the 2 train to Times Square, then get on the N train to 14th street. Somehow, I got on the W, freaked out, got off at Herald Square and waited for the N Express. I’m so glad I memorized the directions and carried that subway map with me.
After exiting the subway and visiting Union Square for a moment, I walked seven blocks south on University Place to Washington Square Park. Greenwich Village was bustling with people, mostly college students from NYU, which I passed along the way.
I fell in love with the townhouses on Washington Square North and Washington Mews. Again my mind wandered to eras past. I tried to imagine what life was like in New York circa the 1800s.
Beautiful Townhouses.
After daydreaming, I grabbed a Village Voice and a copy of The Onion and parked my behind on a bench. It was peaceful, well…except for the jackhammer loudly pounding nearby. Unfortunately construction was taking place in front of the Washington Arch. I still took some great photos, but the chain link fence as a back drop irritated me.
I loved watching the parents, nannies, au pairs and children playing in the gated playground. As they passed me they spoke in many tongues. French, German, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese. Never before had I heard so many foreign languages spoken in less than ten minutes.
Next I ventured up 5th Avenue. My goal was to see my beloved Flatiron. From the moment I saw that building in a photo so many years ago, I fell in love with it. I can’t explain why. The triangle shape amuses me I suppose. When I finally got there, I didn’t even know I was there until I saw Madison Square Park and realized I walked under the scaffolding adjacent to the Flatiron. It looks like crews were doing some work on the exterior.
The building is amazing. I was so drawn to the lines and the windows and the beautiful architecture. I took way too many photos from different angles. I was just so darn excited.
The Flatiron Building, my favorite architectural wonder.
Next, I stopped at a little souvenir shop and bought a beautiful snow globe of a New York City scene. When I wound it up it played “New York, New York” and the little taxi, fire truck, police car and horse drawn carriage inside moved around the Twin Towers, Flatiron building, Statue of Liberty, and Chrysler building inside. I also bought some post cards and three framed, black and white prints the store owner was selling. One was a photo of the Flatiron, another of Lower Manhattan and the last one of the Bow Bridge in Central Park, overlooking the Dakota. They are such beautiful photos.
I left the store and continued walking down 5th Ave, which is where I met Kenny Mayne. Then I went to the Empire State Building. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the line wasn’t long at all. Once at the 86th floor, I was amazed at the gorgeous view. I could see for 15 miles. The crazy pigeons made me a little nervous. I feared bird poop on my head. They are not shy, those birds. They get right up to you, hoping for food I suppose.
Empire State Building, from 5th Avenue.
Crazy Pigeon.
View of Lower Manhattan from Empire State Building Observation Deck.
After my observation from the sky, I walked up 5th to Times Square, passing the New York Public Library (with it’s Lion statues at guard) and Bryant Park along the way. I was so tired from walking and my stomach was rumbling. I remembered there was a T.G.I. Friday’s on the Square and I was so excited because they had wait staff. I could sit down, enjoy a drink and eat something — which is exactly what I did.
After lunch I took a taxi back to the hotel and got ready for my Circle Line boat cruise at 4 p.m. I dressed as warmly as I could and took a cap to the 82nd Pier at 42nd Street. The cruise was wonderful. Again, I took a million photos of everything I could.
Our tour guide was wonderful. He gave us several history lessons about New York in the old days and showed us so many great attractions from the boat. I loved the Brooklyn Bridge.
So strong, yet graceful in appearance.
I saw the World Trade Center. It was so lonesome without the towers. I started to cry just a little.
Something Definitely Missing
The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queensboro bridges were breathtaking.
Statue of Liberty
By the end of the cruise I was so tired and chilled to the bone. I walked to W. 52nd street and then gave in to a taxi. It was a wonderful day. I think I lost 10 pounds too, because my pants were falling off my butt after that night.
Once at the hotel, I ordered dinner from the Columbus Gourmet because they were just around the corner and were happy to deliver to me. I fell asleep at ten o’clock, that’s how tired my body was — but it was definitely the best day in the city.
Biggest Burger and Best Cheese Cake Ever.
Friday, after checking out of the hotel, I took the subway to Penn Station (getting my luggage on the train was a challenge, but I made it. I bought a ticket from the NJ Transit desk and headed to Jersey to see Liz from This Full House and meet her family.
It was only an hour long train ride, but I was so happy to get off at my stop and see a friendly face. Some of the people on the train were mighty strange, and I hated when the train stopped on a bridge with water beneath the tracks. It scared me senseless.
Liz and her four sweet, adorable children took me to the boardwalk. I’ve never in my life been to the ocean, so this event was absolutely amazing. The sound. The smell. The breeze. The sand. It was so beautiful and serene, even with the waves crashing to the shore. I truly felt at peace.
Liz and Me. And lots of waves.
After the boardwalk, Liz showed me all around New Jersey. The houses are big and bold and very gorgeous. Especially Bon Jovi’s house on the river.
Seriously. My entire town could live in that house.
After my wonderful Jersey tour, I got to meet Liz’s husband Garth (not his real name) who greeted me as if he’d known me for years.
We ordered Chinese, and Liz and Garth thought I’d been smoking weed when I asked if the restaurant had crab rangoon on it’s menu. Good Grover, the looks on their faces. You’d have thought I’d asked for ketchup on steak. Apparently New Jersey peeps have never heard of crab rangoon. And then to try to explain it! We were all laughing our asses off.
After that, the kids crashed from all the excitement I think. Garth (not his real name) hit the hay early because the poor man had to work on Saturday, so Liz and I made screw drivers and chatted until midnight. It was the best time. And her adorable dog Rudy slept at my feet, just like my Murphy.
Saturday morning, Liz was kind enough to take me to the airport. We drove through Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens — and got lost a few times — but thank goodness Garth (not his real name) was able to talk us in the right direction from the cell phone.
I was sad to leave but I had the most wonderful time. I was ready to go home, but when I got to Wisconsin I couldn’t wait to plan my next trip. You know, after I kissed the ground at the airport (turbulence all the way home, not good for my nerves).
