Day Three Milwaukee

Today was sleep late day. Which really just meant no alarm clock. "Late" is relevant. I was so tired I was asleep early, so I only slept until about 7:30. This ended up being a good thing. I needed to hit up a Walmart. I drove toward Milwaukee and did my shopping - got snacks and such for the rest of the trip. I then drove into Milwaukee to see The Fonz. Well, the bronze version of him on the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk was basically just walking along the river, with a sight here and there. The best part was watching the "drawbridge" to let the tour boat through (hopefully the video will work).

Milwaukee had many old buildings. I only got pics of the Pabst Theater and City Hall. But know that my old building loving self was very happy. 

Since I had time, I mosied over to the lake. I happened upon a dog festival - there had been a 5k and there were all sorts of pet vendors and games for dogs (agility course and such). Made me miss Slugger SO very much (not that I don't already miss him). Oh, I also saw a couple get engaged. We all cheered. I don't think that was dog related. Anyway, Lake Michigan is beautiful and gigantic. 

I then wandered off to Sprecher Brewery. I was told that they are known for their root beer. On the way, I got to drive through a VERY nice neighborhood. Shorewood maybe? I'll have to look it up eventually. I didn't get any picture. The brewery did NOT disappoint. I got a flight of sodas and they were all amazing! I bought 8 bottles to be able to enjoy each evening in my hotels. Currently enjoying the cream soda in Tomah WI. 

Then I headed to the game. Detroit I was hot, Chicago I was cold. Milwaukee was just right! Great modern stadium. I thought it was weird that the roof was partially closed. I didn't ask. Maybe it was stuck. But I think it was to keep the sun out but to have fresh air. Maybe. 

Snoop Dogg threw out the first pitch!

He was excited to be there!

Christian Yelich

Elly De La Cruz

Brewers scored in the 5th or 6th, I sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame and I left. I was tired. And somehow I didn't internalize that it was 2.5 hours to my hotel. It's on the itinerary, I just didn't remember. Longest 2.5 hours! But first I had Kopp's custard. Same friend who recommended the brewery said I should check them out. SO YUMMY!! (The friend is also pretty good at book recommendations)

Sadly one of the things I've been most excited about on this road trip is cheap gas. Tonight was my first fill up...

Early morning tomorrow cuz it's 3 more hours to Minneapolis. 

Day Two Chicago

 Oh my 4am is early. But I did it. After a very good sleep (lights off by 8am!), I was up and at 'em for a train ride to Chicago. Got to the Amtrak station over an hour early, which they said I should, and it wasn't open. and we didn't board until the time printed on my ticker, which I thought was what time it was supposed to leave. Turns out, it basically was cuz we left as soon as everyone was on the train. 

I got to see Michigan that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Everything was so green! I would like to go back someday and explore the rest of the state. There was quite a bit of farmland. I have no idea what was being grown. I should look that up some day. 

Random girl

A farm of some sort

Halfway! Last stop before Chicago.

I didn't realize until I looked at a map mid ride that we went through Indiana. So bonus state! I *think* this is the Indiana part of Lake Michigan. I don't remember at what point I took it. Oops.

We even rode by where the White Sox play.  Excuse the reflection of my phone. 

Ended up at Chicago's Union Station. Under renovations but still way cool.

After some public transit snafus (but very nice people to help), I ended up at Wrigley Field. (Also, I have now added bus and subway to my planes, trains, and automobiles).

Wrigley was packed, especially for a Friday afternoon. Might have been due to the opponent - St Louis Cardinals, a rival and nearby foe (or near enough). It was pretty darn cool singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame with them all. Except that the "guest" was none other than Kerry Wood, longtime Cubs pitcher who was not very nice to the Astros (main memory is when he struck out 20 Astros in one game).

The video of the singing just says processing - sorry if it doesn't show up. 

After being so hot yesterday, it was weird being so cold today. But there is quite a breeze coming off the lake! I found myself just wandering around people watching and such. There were people everywhere! I left before the bottom of the 9th in hopes that I was bad luck and they could make a comeback. It didn't work. 

I went off to get my luggage from the storage place (which was actually a locked closet at the golf bar place) and walked almost a mile to get the rental car. Then I drove out of Chicago as quick as I could! 

But soon after leaving the city behind, I saw a sign for the Chicago Botanic Garden and I thought "Why not?"! So I did. It was $10 to park and then apparently more to actually go in. But they let teachers in for free and the very nice girls excused the California part. I didn't stay long, just had a short walk and enjoyed the serenity. 

Then I crossed into Wisconsin (if you're counting that's 4 states today!). I'm at a cheap Super 8 with a comfy bed. I get to sleep late tomorrow and find a store of some sort to buy snacks and such. OH!! For dinner I had Hunt Bros Pizza!!!! This is a BIG deal to me as they are a sponsor or whatever of my Nashville Predators. It was SOOOOO good!!! And it was just grab and go from the kiosk at the gas station!! Add another reason to go to Nashville at some point :)

Stay tuned for Milwaukee!!

Day One Detroit

 State #46, which is the one that made it into a baseball trip. Cuz in order to get from Michigan to ND, one must pass several stadiums! 

Red eyes are not made for 49yos. I am exhausted. BUT in a true miracle, BOTH flights were on time. In fact, my connection in Atlanta actually left early!! I got to Detroit and was going to try to take the bus to the hotel, but it drove right past what I thought was a stop, so I got myself an Uber instead. Nice guy. Worth the money. Dropped my stuff at the hotel and walked to Comerica Park (Field?) for the Tigers game. I was early so I wandered around outside the stadium. 

I will always be me, so I also walked over to Central UMC which looked way old. It is! 

Comerica Park has a Carousel AND a Ferris Wheel. Which are each TWO DOLLARS to ride. SO OF COURSE I DID!!! 

Then there was local ice cream :)  SO SO YUMMY!! No pics cuz it went in my belly.

And some baseball!! It was a good game that the Tigers ended up winning 7-2 after a 5 run 7th (6th?). It was super hot so I actually only sat in my seats for 2.5 innings. Then I wandered around, stood behind lower level seats, etc. Everyone was SO nice and helpful and happy to welcome me to the stadium, and Michigan.

On the way back to my hotel, I went a different way to walk past another old church and see what the bus stop looks like. OR whatever a "Qline" is. Cuz that's how I'm getting to amtrak tomorrow at the crack of dawn.

Now I'm relaxing in my room at what is actually an "Inn" - it's a great old house with a bunch of rooms turned into guest rooms. I would 100% come back! About to order some food from a local joint to be delivered after I enjoy that beautiful shower!

Off to Chicago WAY early in the AM!

Rebecca's Epic Road Trip 2024

 I'm going to attempt to blog each day so I don't forget stuff!! 

The rough intinerary: Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, ND, SD, Nebraska, Iowa, home. 

I miss my puppy.

April

 April was nuts. Started with snow. It's been busy busy busy. And bam it's May! 

This week the Peer Leaders of BBHS are hosting an entire week they're call Bear Aware Week. Lunchtime activities with trivia and prizes, self-care, stress management and such. And Friday is an assembly where we'll play Blooket using the questions they should've learned through the week, etc. So, BUSY!! BUT it's been good. Nervous about the assembly but also, whatever.

I also planned an event for the teacher's union where we went to a paint and sip type place. That was much more fun than I anticipated! 

Seems like so much more... OH! Last weekend I got to go axe throwing and have dinner with some friends who have since moved away. I didn't throw axes (stupid shoulder), I just kept score and cheered them all on. Friends will be missed but they have fun adventures ahead!

That was after spending all day on my couch volunteering for our local "Hamvention". Dad was there letting non-licensed folks try talking on the radio. I"m who they talked to! The best kind of volunteer job, cuz Slugger got to help!

Oh yeah, and PT for the knee. I don't think it's working. Probably could be better about doing my at home stuff. But it doesn't seem to make a difference. 

Plus lots of walks/hikes with pooch and a few runs. 

May won't be quite as busy but yet it will. Attending school play this weekend, teacher union EOY party later in the month. Grades. And hoping I get some interviews! I've applied to 5 jobs I think. Fun stuff. It's in God's hands. 

Here's to many more Slugger snuggles :)

If you read this far... I think this is my next tattoo. On my left forearm. 

AND TODAY I am PROUD to show off the last one!! YAY UMC!!!! (Finally!!)

4/5/24

 MORE (&#%()&$^)%& SNOW!!!! I got halfway to work and wimped out. It was coming down good, roads were trash and I just kept envisioning my road after a full day of snow. And I couldn't do it. I'm out of sick days so it'll cost me, but better than making myself sick with worry or worse an accident. My biggest fear is always not being able to get up my road though. Getting stuck. Etc. You'd think I'd get LESS wimpy as I get older. But I think it's actually that I'm smarter and know the consequences and such! So I'll survive without the money.