Milwaukee

On the Road Again…I can’t wait to get on the road again.

We’re on the road again…and, boy, are we glad! It’s funny, once you start traveling, you can’t wait for your next adventure. While we always enjoy coming home, it isn’t too long before we get the itch to go again! This trip took us to the Upper Midwest which included parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Our first stop brought us to Milwaukee for Summerfest which, we were surprised to learn, is the world’s largest music festival. It spans multiple weekends during June and July, draws 600-700,000 visitors each year, and features several hundred performers both famous and relatively unknown. We were only in town for a couple of days, but we tried to pack in as much as we could. We were both blown away by how much we enjoyed this city. There is so much to do and see that we both agreed we could easily come back and spend a week here.

On our first morning, we decided to go for a walk along Lake Michigan—and boy, did we walk! We ended up logging 13 miles on our first day. Walking along the shoreline gave us a great lay of the land. While searching for a coffee shop, we wandered down Prospect Avenue and Lake Street (among others), where we found miles of beautiful homes and impressive mansions. This city is truly filled with stunning architecture both residential and commercial.

Speaking of mansions, we toured the Pabst Mansion. Yes, the Pabst of Blue Ribbon fame. Frederick Pabst was a young steamship captain on the great lakes before he hung up his cap after a harrowing shipwreck. In need of work, he joined his father-in-law’s brewing company, a decision that would change the company's future for decades to come.

A few years later, the Captain (as he would forever be known), purchased half of the company, becoming President when his father-in-law died. Under his leadership, the brewery grew into one of the largest in the world. With his success, he set out to build a mansion that reflected his accomplishments. The home was truly ahead of its time, featuring indoor plumbing, electricity, central heating, and even a security system. The décor was extensive, and, as you might expect, almost entirely handcrafted.

We always enjoy touring historic homes and learning about the people who lived in them and how they helped shape our country’s history.

After our tour, it was time to head back to the rig and get ready for our first concert: Alex Warren. He put on a great performance and shared his personal story with the audience, making the evening feel both intimate and inspiring. In the middle of the concert, the entire sound system suddenly went out. Despite the unexpected interruption, he handled the situation with grace, humor, and professionalism. It was a true testament to the kind of class act he is. It was a great night!

The next day was July 4th -- Happy 250th Birthday, America! – and in celebration Christina made us an all-American breakfast—biscuits and gravy. We had burned so many calories the day before, we figured we needed to load up on some carbs for day two. After breakfast, we were off to do some more exploring.

We started by revisiting some of the areas near the lakefront where the most beautiful houses are located. They literally stretch for miles along the shore. Everyone seemed to be in full prep mode for the fourth, and it was nice to see such a traditional slice of Americana.

At the top of our list of things to do was to go to the Milwaukee Art Museum. The building sits on the shore of Lake Michigan and is itself a work of art. Outside, it features a movable roof covering which opens and closes throughout the day. When open, you get the impression that the building was designed to resemble a seagull soaring over the lake. The moving elements extend outward into what they describe as a 217-foot wingspan. It is truly one of the most impressive structures we have ever seen.

The interior is just as impressive. The grand reception hall features ribbed vaults along the hallways, and a central nave that opens to a 90-foot-high glass roof. There are countless windows that allow visitors to look out over Lake Michigan. Yes, it's as spectacular as it sounds! The artwork inside was impressive and enjoyable, but for us, the architecture stole the show.

When you're in Milwaukee, there are two things you absolutely must try: cheese curds and beer, both of which have strong ties to the area. In North America, eating fresh curds (which are a natural by-product of the cheese making process) began to emerge in Wisconsin in the mid-1800’s. Today, they are a quintessential Wisconsin food. Beer is another iconic item linked to Wisconsin. In fact, Milwaukee is known as “Brew City” because of its long history of major breweries located there. These include Miller, Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz, and Leinkugel, not to mention an extensive number of craft breweries today. We killed two birds with one stone, by heading over to Lakefront Brewery for lunch to sample both. It did not disappoint. We sat outside overlooking the river, watching boats and kayakers drift by while we enjoyed our afternoon treat before getting ready for concert number two.

Up next on our personal concert series was Jelly Roll! Needless to say, this was a very different atmosphere from the Alex Warren concert. His energy was through the roof, and his performance matched it. He played a mix of his own songs along with a few that weren't his, which really got the crowd fired up. The people-watching was extraordinary. Oh, come on—you know we all do it! The crowd was made up of a wide range of people. Some were exactly what we expected, while others completely surprised us. We had people rolling a joint next to us, and a fight broke out two rows behind us. It was definitely the most interesting concert we've ever been to!

Devil's Island in Wisconsin

This stop was a complete surprise—and one of the highlights of our trip.

No joke, just a few weeks before we left, John was doomscrolling when he stumbled across the spectacular sandstone sea caves of the Apostle Islands. One look at the photos, and we immediately knew we had to find a way to work this into our itinerary, and we're so glad we did.

For centuries, the relentless forces of wind and water have sculpted these intricate sea caves into a breathtaking natural masterpiece. Towering sandstone cliffs give way to winding passageways filled with crystal-clear, sapphire-blue water, while lush emerald forests cling to the shoreline above. It's one of those places that almost doesn't look real.

The only way to truly experience this incredible coastline is by boat or kayak, and paddling through the caves is an adventure unlike any other. We spent hours weaving through narrow passages and exploring hidden chambers, some so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The echo of the waves crashing against the sandstone walls and the gentle gurgle of the water created an atmosphere that was both peaceful and just a little eerie.

If navigating sea caves sounds intimidating, don't worry. The tours guides lead you safely through the caves. They carefully monitor weather and water conditions, and if it's not safe to enter the caves, they simply don't go. That extra level of caution made the experience both exciting and reassuring.

If you're planning a trip to northern Wisconsin, do yourself a favor and add the Apostle Islands sea caves to your bucket list. It's one you won't forget!

Wisconsin

Milwaukee

Devil's Island in Wisconsin

Smoky Mountains