staycation.

last weekend andy & i were planning to meet up with some of my grad school girlfriends for a little reunion in traverse city, michigan (one of my friend's family owns land there). we were excited to take the ferry across lake michigan to meet them there, but then, 2 hours before we were supposed to leave, the ferry was cancelled due to high winds and rocky water conditions. i was crushed...and with the only last-minute option being a 16 hour drive round-trip (to be there for only a little over a day), we decided to opt out. to help cheer ourselves up, and make the most of the weekend, we planned a "milwaukee staycation" and came up with all sorts of things we've been meaning to do in the city. to-do lists, chores, and computer/tv distractions were banned. it turned out to be so fun and totally lovely. (we're still trying to plan that next ferry trip across the lake, though!).

so, i give you our '36 hours in milwaukee.' 

as andy said, "eat your heart out, new york times."

friday
noon
friday lunch at zak's cafe in the 5th ward (opened by a marquette alum). my recommendation: the chorizo burrito.

*image

8pm
a stop at kopp's custard, a milwaukee favorite, that night for dessert. we took our custard to our favorite walking/running destination--atwater park--and enjoyed it while looking out onto the {definitely rocky!} waves of lake michigan. flavor of the day: cookies 'n cream.

                                                         {imagine this view at night. with the moon.}               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                *image

10pm
watch 'batman begins' because, apparently, i'm one of the few people left on this planet who has not seen the trilogy.

saturday
9 am
quick run on the oak leaf trail--a path so shrouded in leafy overhang, it makes you feel miles out of the city. it can pop you right out at alterra at the lake, one of our favorite java joints. we sat outside on the most beautiful morning, chatted, and did a little people watching. the air & water show was getting started on the lake and the area surrounding the marina was attracting its usual throng of weekend bikers, runners, tennis players, festival-goers.

*image

10am

walked back home via the downer avenue strip. stopped into one of my favorite little paper/stationery stores & chatted with the owner...a quirky, bird-like woman who wears an eye patch and has owned the place since the 70's. she's a fancy, well-traveled lady; lives on a fabulous street by the lake; and will tell you that the east side of milwaukee is one of the best neighborhoods & the best place to live in the city. i always agree. :)

1pm
played 18 holes of golf at the lake park course. my first time golfing! and i really liked it! the only downside was the terrifyingly close jets flying over our heads (the golf course is on a bluff overlooking the lake). at one point i shrieked & threw my club into the air. andy was not embarrassed by his newbie golfing partner at all. (he's actually a really good instructor, remember?)

7pm
went to dinner at the odd duck, our new favorite bayview restaurant. delicious! get yourself there! (an outfit shot snapped by the husband on our way out the door.)

                             {cheese plate devoured}                                             {my date}

9pm
meet claire & her mom for drinks at the iron horse hotel. we haven't been there since the night of our rehearsal dinner, so it brought up sweet memories of all our favorite people gathered together. we sat on the awesome patio and enjoyed a fabulous view of the 6th street bridge and the sparkling lights of the city beyond it.

sunday
morning
leisurely woke up, sipped coffee, & read. the best kind of morning.

1pm
walked to the urban ecology center in our 'hood to attend a 'water safety' course so that we can now use their kayaks & canoes on the river.

2pm
left the city on bikes and wound our way back on lake drive.

4pm
ended our biking afternoon by walking to the bike-loving cafe hollander to enjoy some delicious beers. the air & water show continued over our heads and made conversing a little difficult (i was really annoyed & over it). nothing a good brew can't fix, though!

 *image

*image

                         {pre-beer annoyance}                                                      {much better}

the basics: where to stay

with us of course! and, come september 10th, we'd love to have you at our new home.

...already looking forward to our next staycation!