Friday July 8th 2011- Travelling day.

What a long day...

I took the shuttle bus from the hotel, to get dropped off at the Amtrak station. Back to Chicago, back to the airport, and back to Newcastle. 

Thursday July 7th 2011- Final day

Squeezing the last out of my Vacation...

Update: 

So this morning was fairly quiet, but I'd arranged to visit John at work in the Pabst Manson, take a short tour with him of what they had been working on since I had last seen it, and he very kindly signed and gave me a copy of his book! 

The Pabst Mansion is on the same street as my hotel, and not far from Marquette University. I went for a coffee in Starbucks and chilled out. Making use of their wifi, I ordered myself a cover for my new Kindle, so it would be delivered just after I arrived back home.

I stopped in to the cocktail bar for lunch, deciding to be very lazy as I couldn't find the energy to trek downtown. I had a small salad, and it was lovely. 

Then I headed back to my room to finish my packing and to get ready for the evening's activities. 

I booked a parking space in the car lot of the hotel for Missy, as we were going to Summerfest again.

When she arrived, we parked her car and then went to the nice cocktail bar for a couple of drinks. We then took the hotel shuttle to downtown for Summerfest, and this time we had one gig planned. Missy had got us tickets to see Katy Perry. As part of her California Dreams tour, the show was pretty surreal, but absolutely brilliantly staged. 

We both enjoyed the show, took the shuttle back to the hotel and arrived home fairly late. 

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Wednesday July 6th 2011 - Mall day

Today was the day I needed to start packing...

Belated Update:

So I've been feeling a little guilty for not squeezing as much as I possibly can out of my time in Milwaukee. But I have to confess that the intensity of my sightseeing in Chicago has taken its toll on me and I'm feeling pretty tired. Plus, I'm just enjoying far too much the comfort of my hotel room and lack of room mates. I have a large flat screen TV, Tea and Coffee facilities, air conditioning, an en suite bathroom with Aveda toiletries... 

I've been staying up a little too late and sleeping later than I should, but hey, I'm on vacation right? 

Did I mention the free Wifi in my hotel room? and I've been neglecting this blog. 

I realized from a little research that the big Mall that I visited with Jody last time, was fairly easily accessible  from my hotel by bus. So I asked the receptionist at my hotel, who sent me to wait for the wrong bus, and then I finally found the correct bus going in the right direction, and I was on my way back to Mayfair Mall. 

So as if I haven't had enough time to shop on this trip, it was time to do my final bits and pieces. Anything I really wanted to take back with me, I had to find today, and this was the place to do it. 

What I really had in mind was a Kindle. Some of my friends at home have one, I'd talked to Missy and her friends and they all loved theirs, so I decided that as technology is so much cheaper in the States than back home, I would take a trip to Best Buy and take one home with me. 

Pleased with my acquisition it was time to search out my other missions, all my old favourite shops, Abercrombie and Fitch, Barnes and Noble, Talbots and Banana Republic. 

After satisfying my soul with purchases, happy that I'd got almost all my Christmas shopping finished, I stopped for a iced Chai Latte with cream, delicious!  

Back out in the sunshine I found my bus back to my hotel and on the way back I realized that this bus also goes very close to the Miller factory. Useful to remember for a future visit. 

Museums and tours

It's been another busy exciting day, and I really must tell you all about it soon. The weather is so hot now, and I don't seem to have 5 minutes alone to write. Will update soon. Belated update:
The weather has been so hot here, and I've been busy trying to make sure that I don't miss anything important here in Milwaukee, I don't know when I'll be back. 5 years ago I didn't know when I would have an opportunity to return.
So last time I was here I did the tour of the Harley Davidson factory, which is a little out of town, but this time I thought I'd better do the museum tour,(which is actually fairly new, and wasn't here when I was here last), which is right in the downtown area, just on the north side of the river. I found it on a map, and realised that it should be fairly easy to walk to. I've walked almost everywhere on this trip. Anyway, running out of my hotel room I picked up a couple of leaflets for some ideas of things to do with the rest of the afternoon. I headed for the Harley Davidson museum first. It was a big industrial building very square and full of very old motor bikes. And back then they were exactly that, bicycles with motors and engines, a far different sight to a modern Harley. Anyway, I'm not an engineer, and there's only so much machinery a girl can take, so I stopped for lunch in the cafe, and was very pleasantly surprised. In the middle of no where, on a hot sunny day, it doesn't have to be good, and you'd still stop there because I'm always conscious that I don't drink enough water at home, and I should be drinking a lot more in this heat. Anyway, free wifi and a good sandwich later, and I'd decided on my next move. So I carried on down the same road, north 6th street, til I crossed the river, passed a roundabout, something so uncommon in America, they just don't really exist here, and saw what I was looking for. Almost surprised by how easily I'd found this place, the Great Lakes Distillery. The first Distillery in Wisconsin since Prohibition.
I've done a few Distillery tours around the world (Miller, Guinness, Heineken, an Edinburgh whiskey distillery), so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. At first, I couldn't decide if they were open or not, but through the fly net across the shutter I could see a small bar, and a couple of people sitting there, so I tried the handle, and it creaked open. I asked if there was a tour soon, and was told yes, I was just in time for the 4 o clock tour and would I like a drink while I waited. Coming in from the baking hot sunshine this was very welcome. So I perused their extensive menu and settled on my favourite. (Cosmo, if you didn't know) Then a few more people had arrived and the tour started, so glass in hand I followed. The tour guide was very informative, a little bit of American history, and how Prohibition is still affecting U.S. laws today.
The equipment they use is of course fairly similar to the other places I mentioned above, though on a smaller scale than some.
They showed us the equipment used, and the casks,and they run a program for recycling the bottles, it's cheaper and better for the environment. And then on to the next bit, for $5 you can try some of the things they make here. So we sampled Vodka,( plain, citrus and honey) and Gin, with many other things than just juniper, (and very unusual, but interesting,) Whiskey, Rum, named after the Pirate of the Great Lakes, and finally 2 types of Absinthe.
After all of this I didn't dare venture out into the baking hot afternoon, so headed back to the bar for a very much needed glass of iced water.
I stayed a while and chatted, and then left to go in search of somewhere to eat before returning back to my hotel.
Before I got back to the main downtown area, I stumbled across a coffee shop which Missy had recommended. Alterra Coffee, and with my adventurous head on, ordered a Chai Shake, with whipped cream. Delicious! Cooled, refreshed, it was time to be lazy and get the hotel shuttle to pick me up, I was only a couple of blocks from their pickup point, so I called, and was soon on my way back to my hotel for the night.

Independence Day

Celebrating 4th of July, lots going on, will update soon.

Update:

Today Missy and Matt had promised to show me how Americans really celebrate 4th July. So they had invited some of their friends to meet us in the park, and we had food and a barbecue and found a suitable place to set up. Grilling food, chatting with the girls and realising that it's so easy to enjoy the company of old friends and it's good to meet new people. We had such a good evening that we decided a girls night out was in order before I leave the country again.

Summerfest

Again, too much going on today, update to follow I promise....

Update: 

So today was catching up with old friends. 

In the morning John and Jodi came to pick me up from my hotel. They took me out for brunch to a lovely slightly Mexican style bistro place. The food was delicious and it was good to catch up with them again. 

They dropped me off at my hotel, and in the afternoon I took the hotel's shuttle bus to downtown, where they were dropping off at Summerfest. 

I met up with Missy and Matt, got to hear about their mini honeymoon, where coincidently they had been to stay in the same hotel as I was now staying. They had stayed in the posher part, which is a historic hotel of America. It's 1920's and retains its charm and features, as well as a lovely cocktail bar. 

We wandered through the different stages with different bands, got some fish and chips from one of the food vendors, and generally chilled out. 

We made some more plans for meeting up in the week, and got to enjoy hanging out. 

They dropped me back off at my hotel and I went to bed to prepare for another exciting day ahead... 

Exploring Milwaukee

It's been a strangely busy day. Somehow haven't had time to sit and write. Will update later...

Update:

I got up and had breakfast this morning which was help yourself to items from the breakfast room. Items in the fridge such as bagels and muffins and cream cheese and milk to go with the packets of breakfast cereal. Bread buns and porridge also, and as usual assortment of coffees all to take away to your room if you wished. I did.

I took the hotel's very good shuttle bus which would drop off anywhere you wanted in the downtown area. I asked for a stop near the Art Museum. The driver showed us their usual pick up point, dropped most of the others at the Summerfest gate, and dropped me off further along near the Art Museum. 

I've been before, I knew what to do and what I wanted to see. The current temporary exhibition on China was very interesting. The building itself, known as the Calatrava after the architect, Santiago Calatrava who designed it, is very impressive.

I wandered through the rest of the museum, and when I returned to the entrance, they were busy setting up for a wedding reception, which looked very impressive. On my way out of the museum, across the bridge towards the downtown area, I passed the bridal party too. 

I found downtown Milwaukee strangely quiet and deserted. The sun was baking down on me and I needed to get inside and find a drink. I was very conscious of being stuck outside in the 80 - 90 degree heat and not drinking enough liquid. Eventually I came to a place that looked open. it was refreshingly air conditioned, almost cold inside, and very new and smart.  A nice cold pint of  cider was in order and for the first time on this trip I was asked for my ID. This surprised me as I was expecting to have to show it every time, but was hardly asked for it. I suppose that they don't get many young British girls traveling alone and therefore they would expect that I must be over 21.  Upon showing him my UK passport, the barman said, "Oh you're an Out of Towner."  "I'm from Newcastle where Newcastle Brown Ale comes from" I said, and he answered, "Well welcome to Milwaukee where they drink lots of Newcastle Brown Ale!"

Thirst quenched, I left and went in search of food, which I found at the Port of Call, a suitably nautical themed restaurant.

Back in Milwaukee

This morning I woke late. I haven't been setting an alarm because I have room mates, and it doesn't seem polite to wake everyone. So I woke about quarter past 10, and realised I needed to check out at 11. So I dressed quickly, dragged all my stuff out into the sitting area, and washed, and packed my stuff squeezing it in to my suitcase, planning to reorganise when I finally have my own space. So much looking forward to having a hotel room where I can spread out, and not worry about waking anyone else in the morning or the evening or thinking that someone else might want the bathroom, or thinking about not leaving my stuff lying around. Don't misunderstand me, it's perfectly safe, the other girls are fine, but it's just good sense not to be too conspicuous about leaving stuff lying about, so every morning I've locked everything in my locker, including my wet towel! (my own) So I checked out quickly, headed across the street to see the nice lady in Panera again, who again wished me a safe trip. I walked up to Union Station, it didn't take long, and this time I knew where the platform was, without realising it, bought my ticket from the same machine,and knowing where I was going this time, found the gate with no trouble. Arrived in Milwaukee around half 2 in the afternoon, to baking hot sunshine! Oriented myself and found my way to my hotel with no problems other than the heat and the very strong winds. Watching the news tells me it's been about 90degrees today. I checked in and crashed out. It's so hot, I was worn out with the travelling. But air conditioning does wonderful things, and after sorting my stuff, putting on some clean clothes, I felt ready to face the heat again. I planned on staying close to the hotel, but found I just kept walking until I reached downtown, it's really not far, and I knew where I was and without realising it, I found what I was looking for: somewhere comfortable and familiar, tho I'd never been before, an English pub of course! Fish and chips, a glass of strongbow, and a glass of ice water were very welcome to replenish a hungry traveller. Afterwards, refreshed I headed back to my hotel and bed.

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The Windy City

I've met some very friendly people on this trip. Starting with all the friendly people at the wedding. I discovered on my morning trips for breakfast, the friendly lady at the till who wished me a good trip, and now remembers me each morning as the girl from England. I said my night didn't end quite how I expected. I got talking to a man at the bar who introduced himself as Fireman Pat. ( are you thinking fireman sam, or postman pat?!) Anyway, he works for the Chicago Fire Dept, he's travelled in Europe, and he also introduced me to the proprietor of the bar. I said, and so did the guide book, that this place was sort of Irish, well I guess that's because the owner is Irish. And of course fireman Pat is Irish. Irish American of course. Anyway, before I left they gave me some tips on what to do on my last day in Chicago. Lots of people on this trip have recommended the architecture boat tour. So I decided that they all couldn't be wrong. After breakfast, and a chat with the nice lady in Panera, and a call home, I went in search of tickets for this boat trip. By chance I passed the shop for the company which runs the tours, so I went in, got my ticket for the 1 o'clock tour, had a look around the gift shop which had some interesting, unusual gifts. And then took my time instead of dashing as I had been, now I knew where I was going and what time to be there. I arrived in good time and stood in line ( see I'm settling in here, I've even got the phrases right - line not queue) I stood in the sunshine, and went upstairs to get a seat in the sun. I only managed half the tour outside though, it was too hot and sunny outside, I caught a little too much sunshine, and suffered for it the rest of the day. So I spent the rest of the trip downstairs in the cold, air conditioned, but not such good views as outside. However, I think I'd seen the best of it first. Afterwards it was time for a coffee and a snack, tomato soup again. It's good soup and fills a hole on a hot day. I think this chain also have outlets in DC and if I remember correctly, I lived on this tomato soup as it was so hot then (95 degrees) it's nearly that hot here now. And it's forecast to be about that tomorrow. So after my stop I decided to wander back up past the shops again, stopped in a couple, and sat outside the water tower to peruse the guide book. On my last afternoon I wanted to make sure that there was nothing that I'd been close to and missed. I went back in to the Water Tower Mall and decided that a good option for food would be the place I'd been to the other afternoon for lunch. It says don't call it a food court, but that's basically what it is. You go in, get a plastic card, and take a seat, then you walk around all the stations and choose what you want to eat, Chinese, sushi, baked potato, soup, there's a bar, all kinds of things. Anyway, you get what you want to eat, and hand over your card, and on the way out, you give back the card, and pay for what you owe on the card. It's a great idea if you were with a group and all wanted different things. And the food is pretty good. I came out of the building and planned on heading back to the bar I'd been in last night, but 2 things got in the way of this. First the wind started to blow. (it is the Windy City right?) and then of course, the heavens opened. Instead of meandering back down the street, like every one else I started to run. So of course when I got to where I was going, so had everyone else. And there was really no space to stand and drip dry, so I headed back out and decided to stop at the next place I came to. It's a busy, bustling sports bar and restaurant. I think it's also in the guidebook. Not quite so posh as the night before, but the prices also match. I'm starting to think I've missed my calling in life - as a travel writer or restaurant reviewer. All i do is write about the food and drink! There's time yet. When I stepped outside to head back to the Youth Hostel, there was the most amazing electric storm going on. Beautiful, but just a little scary in a city of skyscrapers. So different to back home, where we get a few flashes and a few rumbles of thunder. Here it rumbles away constantly, the lightning lights up the sky several times in quick succession, and then you get an enormous crash. Unfortunately I didn't manage any pictures. One more note: I've just realised it's exactly 5 years almost to the day since I was in DC and New York the first time. So much has changed since then and some things haven't. I still love America.

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