Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Road Trip!



We're heading off to Milwaukee tomorrow for my brother in law's graduation from college. John and I decided it would be best to drive out there so that John could avoid being in an airplane with who knows how many sick people. He still have the immune system of a baby, so we need to be really cautious. Anyway, I am very excited for many reasons. One, this is the first trip that we have taken since last summer, since John's relapse. It feel so good that he is allowed to go further than an hour away. Second, I've never been to that area of the U.S. before (well actually, I went to Chicago once, but I'm not going to count it) and I really love road trips. I'm taking along several projects with the hope that I'll get some finished objects. I'll be working on some Dear Jane blocks that need to be appliqued and then this luscious yarn that has been sitting around my house since the fall. I still need to find something to make with it though. Any suggestions?



Speaking of suggestions, anyone know of anything fun to do or an absolute must see while we're in Milwaukee? We'll be there for almost a week so I'm sure we'll need something to do! We might try to stop at Indiana Dunes on the way back. Has anyone been there? Just want to know if it's worth it.

I'll be back next week, hopefully with lots of finished things to show!

13 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Both my daughter and son-in-law graduated from Marquette University and we loved visiting Milwaukee; botanical garden, art museum on the lake and the lake front park, tour Miller Brewery and outside dining downtown on the river. Enjoy!

Nichole said...

While I have never actually been there, my sister-in-law really likes the Indiana Dunes. Her and her husband have been coming there and have enjoyed it.

Philigry said...

have a great time. i think you should make the flair sweater from knit and tonic with that. it is an easy, kind of mindless sweater that looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

You should most definitely visit the Mitchell Park Domes.

http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/MitchellParkConserva10116.htm

Have fun!

Miss Effie said...

The best brewery tour in Milwaukee is Lakefront brewery... fantastically funny!! What can you say about a tour that asks you to sing to the theme song of LaVerne and Shirley??

The downtown farmers market has a GREAT cheese shop -- West Allis Cheese. Try the cheese from Dodgeville -- expensive but oh so good!

Love Milwaukee but I'm a midwest farm girl. Have fun!

Anonymous said...

Check out the Bronze Fonz (a bronze 3/4 life-size statue of Henry Winkler) along the river. Beer. Lots of beer. The public market in the 8th Ward (er, maybe that's what it's called, it's just adjacent to downtown), will make you drool. Make sure you buy lots of stuff at the cheese vendor and sample the cheese curds. (I left there on Saturday with about 4 pounds of cheese to take home to Chicago.)

The art museum is spectacular. From the inside and out. And you must, must, must hit up at least one location of Alterra, a local coffee chain that is To. Die. For. They have a gorgeous, fab location along the lake by the art museum in an old converted pumping station. Great food. Great atmosphere. Killer coffee.

Enjoy!

Needled Mom said...

My grandparents lived there and I remember dipping in the lake and going to the zoo. Have a fabulous trip! You guys deserve it after this year.

Becky J. said...

never been,but that sounds fun. that is great yarn--no ideas though. sorry. have fun!

Unknown said...

Hi Katie,

I live just outside of Madison. So stop by Madison if you get a chance. State street is a favorite shopping/stolling stop. In Milwaukee the art museum is a must. Also some like the Zoo it is the biggest one in the state and I have always enjoyed it. Enjoy your stay I hope you have great weather!

Rachael Adele said...

Yay Midwest! I went to college about 90 miles north of M'waukee.
Milwaukee is home to Faythe Levine, the Handmade Nation goddess herself. Stop by her Paper Boat Boutique at 2375 S Howell Ave.
The Dunes are OK, but just outside Chicago (on the Indiana side, right off of the interstate) is the Albanese Candy Factory-- best gummies in the world. Email me if you need any more suggestions...!

Harley Dee said...

I'm not sure about shopping, but I will tell you that there is this great little Italian restaurant called The Calderone Club that is worth checking out. They have the absolute BEST Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. It was amazing! :)

http://www.calderoneclubfoxpoint.com/

Jody Sanders said...

Whenever we go to Milwaukee we go to the zoo. Also, in Pleasant Prairie, which is really close to the border to Illinois is the Jelly Belly factory. Not just an interesting tour on a cute little train (very appealing to the little ones) but they sell "belly flops", which are huge bags of jelly bellies that just didn't make the cut ... and they are priced right. We stock up, pass them out to friends, freeze them, etc. Also, we went to a huge history museum when my oldest was young and had a great time.

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I live in Chicago, but have never been to Milwaukee, so I can't help you there. But, the dunes are great. There are many, many different beaches throughout the dunes, though. SOme are better than others. There are quite a few hiking trails and its a bird watcher's paradise. I take my kids to the dunes all the time during the spring, summer, and fall since its so close and they have a great time. The dunes are a lot better than the beaches along the chicago lakefront (cleaner). Have a great time!