Can't resist.....

One more story or two about the trip. Those of you who know my mom, know that you can't go anywhere (in the world) without her bumping into someone she knows or whom she points out as being well known. Well this time, I almost got that prize....and believe it or not, Mom did not run into any "old friends". We were sitting in the lobby at check-out time and it got quite busy with people doing the same or heading out for the Brewers vs. Mets game at the stadium. I looked up to see a woman and young girl getting off the elevator and was surprised to see my cousin, Kathy Forney! "Kathy!" I exclaimed, and she just smiled and shook her head, no. Exact twin, maybe, but not my cousin. She was a dead ringer, from head to toe, even had the same walk. They say we all have a twin. So we had fun anyway discussing times we've each been mistaken for someone else.

Here's another thing we learned about Milwaukee: friday fish-frys may have started because of religion, but in Milwaukee, the friday fish fry IS a religion. And I do mean every friday, all year round. We did our part and had the fish fry (only substituted baked fish) at the hotel restaurant.

I'll mention too, that we were welcomed back in style at the pier in Muskegon by brother Paul. He couldn't see the Lake Express very well from his house due to haze, so drove over to the breakwater and sat and waved as we came through the channel. Thanks Paulie! He was a bit let down that Mom, Lois and I weren't hunkered down under the bulkhead on the top deck, drinking brewskies to keep warm on the way back. Let me tell you, the wind up there was so fierce, I couldn't even open my eyes until they cut the engines down to get in the channel.

It was really fun to see all the sail boats as we came into Muskegon. Our ride back to deliver everyone at their respective homes and car included a slight detour as I made a beeline for I-96 instead of taking US-31 to Holland. So I took the opportunity to show the mom's some of the properties in Ottawa Co. I've been talking about for 10 years, including our newest construction at the WTP. We also drove past the R's new church. Just a bit more sight-seeing.

Milwaukee continued....

Here's another photo from the tour guide's car as we drove along the lakeshore. There were crowds of people enjoying the beaches and park. Thanks again Anne, for being such a great guide. The Milwaukee tourism board needs to hire you!!

At Mader's everyone has to sit in the "chair", so of course we obliged. There is also an impressive hall of fame, with framed, signed photos from all the famous folks who've had a meal at this old german restaurant. It sure made me lonesome for the old Schnitz here in GR. Our food was wonderful. Lois took one of each entree, so I'll have to direct you to her blog for more photos of food!

After lunch, we walked next door to the Spice Shop and I bought some juniper berries and cardamom for Gregg. Then a stop across the street to take in the smells and sight of the famous Usinger sausages. We were all too full from lunch to be tempted to buy any more food there. However, there's ALWAYS room for cheese! So we did make a few purchases at the cheese store at the corner.

Milwaukee is well worth the trip. We really enjoyed exploring the city and I'd go back again soon if I could. Thanks so much again, Anne! And thanks to my mother and mother-in-law for being such good sports for this late mother's day trip.

Belated Mother's Day trip - Milwaukee for Memorial weekend

My mom, mother-in-law, Lois, and often one or another of the girls and I have made a tradition of spending the friday before Mother's Day together for the last nearly 10 years or so. We go to the same restaurant, eat at the same table look at the same view over wonderful conversation and then maybe do some shopping. Since my work schedule last year meant we missed the date, I suggested a special road trip this year. A weekend in Milwaukee to see a special exhibit of american quilts and visit with my friend Anne (with an "E"). Originally, it was to have been the three of us and Gregg, but because of his gall bladder surgery last week, he was not able to come along for this trip.


We took the Lake Express across lake michigan and couldn't have asked for a better day. Beautiful weather and calm seas. Anne met us at the pier and kindly became our tour guide for the duration of the trip.

We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel which is on the edge of Marquette University's campus. This hotel has free shuttle service and we could have used it to go anywhere in town with a pick-up and return to the hotel. Lois and I did use it for a short shopping expedition into the 3rd Ward district on Friday evening.


Saturday, Anne picked us up and we arrived at the Milwaukee Art Museum just after it opened. A helpful employee promptly directed us to the Baumgartner pavilion where the quilts were on display. He seemed duly impressed to be in the presence of an actual Baumgartner! The photo above is our arrival in the main entrance as everyone stood amazedly looking up at the atrium. The museum is spectacularly designed!

We thoroughly enjoyed the quilts and then viewed the special Raphael painting, "Women with veil". I love historical novels and have read many set in the same era as this magnificent painting. So it was a special treat to see the Raphael too. A must do stop in the gift shop and then it was time for a quick cup of tea as we waited for a three masted schooner to pull into the harbor, just south of the museum.

As you can see, the cannoli treat mom ordered as a pre-lunch knosh, was so pretty. But moments later was a cracked and spintered mess as we all shared bites.

Look closely at this photo of Lois, as she suffered some cannoli splatter. Hint: the museum visitor decal did not originally include ricotta and chocolate.


As every Baumgartner woman knows, the bosom is meant to catch meal-time spillage, and ALWAYS results in an embarrasing wet spot as we try to clean ourselves up. Lois clearly displayed the scandinavian talent for precision and efficiency even in snack time splatter.

Tired feet and a 1:30 lunch reservation at Mader's german restaurant to meet Anne's husband, Bob, meant that we only had time for a quick drive over to the discovery center to peak at the schooner.

An octopus kite at Milwaukee's veteran's park. One of many, many kites flying during the grand launch at this memorial day kite event.

Anne drove us a bit north along the parkway to see the great public parks and beaches all along the lake shore. It was like a mini-chicago-lakeshore drive....only better! No lack of entertainment there and wonderful to see all the mansions and high-rise condos just off the causeway looking down over the lakeshore.