Curds and the Wisconsin Way

Sunday I had a blast in downtown Wisconsin with Theresa, Steve, and Mama T. We started the day of with Curds and eggs curds doesn't sound great but it's just a type of cheddar cheese Theresa made an awesome breakfast great start to the day. They showed me all the hot spots and for the first time I saw Lake Michigan; we drove past the bucks arena and Miller Park where the Brewers play.

Lake Michigan is immense, pretty sure it was the first time I stood at the shore of a lake and the other side of it escaped the horizon. I suppose it would have to be large to touch both Wisconsin and Michigan, but unless you told me I would have never thought it a lake. The water was so clear and blue certainly a great experience. Along the shore there’s a modern art museum and an aquarium geared towards kids. Steve pointed out to me the Wisconsin seagulls (even they are not convinced it’s a lake), Similar to the seagulls in New York but they would rather have a Spotted Cow than a Bud Light.

Side note: Spotted Cow by the way may be my new favorite beer. It’s brewed in New Glarus, Wisconsin and taste simply amazing.

The Bucks Arena reminded me of a business complex more than a sports arena which might explain how bad they are and how much better Ray Allen has been since moving out to Boston. But Miller Park on the other hand looked awesome. It had a cool style around the top of the field and didn’t seem as gaudy as Yankee Stadium. I would have liked to catch a game there (even though I didn’t realize that the Mets played the Cubs at Wrigley the same day and the day prior I was a little upset about that) Somehow this year I’ve turned into a baseball fan, not quite sure how it happened but I’m assuming that all the live games I’ve seen this year had something to do with it (5 which is probably close to my lifetime total before) Another thing that also was interesting was the architecture in Milwaukee. Some of the buildings looked pretty cool I like Milwaukee's flavor. After the site seeing we went to this awesome Mexican place called Fuentes the food was really good.

Steve the night before had explained the idea of counting cards to me. I understand the concept but am still loads of practice away before I will be any good at it. We went to the Casino in Milwaukee and just like the others I made a deposit at the War table, but I did sit and count cards for a little bit at the Black Jack table. I just need to learn to leave the table whenever I am up.

Wisconsin definitely goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover. I pre-judged Wisconsin as a country town, cows everywhere, and tractors driving on the dirt roads. Maybe it was not that bad of an impression, but you get the idea. It surprised me, and was a real joy to see and experience. I hope somehow that our paths cross again because hanging out with Theresa and Steve was a blast. Thanks for opening up your house like that it means a lot.

One Mile at a Time.

My Butter Buddy

This morning marks two weeks on the road. I thought before leaving that this would be the turning point where I may be sick of riding, the trip may not be what I thought it would be, or even just so many mishaps would have occurred that I would want to cut my losses and go home (I actually do have a tiny pessimistic side, only for a sec though). I am happy to say that all of that is entirely incorrect. I’m having a blast and we’re only just picking up steam. Just in two weeks we’ve climbed the highest peak east of the Mississippi, gone on the second highest roller coaster, been to the zoo, seen a couple hall of fames, and been to one of the most famous light houses ever. A lifetime of accomplishments in two weeks and still Isabella and I will continue to plug away. And to top it all off I have been lucky enough to spend this two week celebration with some great people.

Back Story: It’s the Thursday before I leave and one of the guys I look up to, Mr. Cronin, and I are talking about this dinner in the city that we had planned when I was living out there. I just recently found out that my cousin Mike works at Butter restaurant. (I’ve talked about it in a post before it is definitely a little pricey, but worth EVERY PENNY. The food is amazing.) So we decided we’d take the train down and head out to Butter. We get there; food was incredible and while we’re enjoying our food these two young ladies sit down next to us. The seating is very close in the restaurant, so close that we might as well have been on a double date. We find out their names are Ginny and Theresa. We all get to talking about the food and what not, and the topic of the trip that I was taking in a few short days comes up and they are both really excited/nervous for me. I was naming the places I would be going and Theresa probably half serious mentions I should stay with her at the “party house” when I’m in Milwaukee. I jumped on it and said I’d love to. We get to talking more and then she seriously offers and we exchange info. Now I start to hear about this house and realize that if all this stuff is there they might be the coolest people over 25 (not by much though) I know. Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, pool table, Ms. Pac man original arcade game, ping pong, poker and gambling room. This place sounded incredible. When dinner was over Mr. Cronin and I left and Theresa and I have stayed in contact ever since.

Which brings us to the present day; Issy and I are in Milwaukee with Theresa and her husband Steve. I thought Theresa was awesome (well she is) but her husband is COOOL. That’s right an extra O. He is an accountant, he loves to gamble, and is a huge sports fan. Steve at one point won $7200 in a weekend of gambling; he’s also been kicked out of a casino for counting cards before (to a gambling nut like me that is the Holy Grail). He’s a Brewers fan so he understands what it’s like to watch a losing team (I’m a Mets fan). And he runs huge poker tournaments. Let’s be serious any guy with his own breathalyzer is a champ.

Saturday night Theresa invited some friends over and we were all hanging out having a good time. We played ping pong (Steve whipped us all, but he does have home court advantage), shot some pool, and Steve wowed the place with some cool card tricks. Jenny and Scott (the friends), and Theresa’s mom were all a riot. I was surprised to be honest but Wisconsin folk really know how to get down. They showed me an awesome night; I can only imagine how they are out on the town. Today I’m going to check out downtown Milwaukee and maybe even play some hoop with Steve. My turn to kick some butt!

One Mile at a Time.

Party In the USA

Check out more pics or the trip and there are even a few videos this time

Nick, Vinnie and I Doing Back Flips



My Front Flip



This is a video of our Chinese Fire Drill. At the End, the Camera was hit by the seat that's why you see it go Flying.

Leaving Fort Wayne and on my way to Chicago this morning. I'm time traveling into the past so wish me up.

One mile at a Time.

Good Thrill Hunting

Last day in Michigan was a blast. I may have come down with a little cold but it was well worth it. I got to see downtown Detroit, we finally went cliff jumping and hung out with Vinnie and his friends who are way more fun than my group of kids were back in the day. It will be sad to see Michigan go but Chicago and Milwaukee will be a good time too I’m sure.

Ciara and I went downtown Detroit and I must say it’s not as bad as people say it is. It’s much worse! I’m just joking around but of course on the day that I’m there, there was a huge fire in the city. Blocks were shut off and trains were down it was a little hectic. The city itself was beautiful though. Really nice high rises and it wasn’t too congested even with everything going on. We checked out the Spirit of Detroit, the Joe Louis hand, and the Greektown Casino, which just like the other casinos recently, accepted my deposit. The Economy is doing badly I guess I’m just doing my part. On the way home we got to see the big tire on I-94 we couldn’t go near it because there’s a fence around it but you can still tell it was a giant.

It was only about 70 degrees out but we were determined to go cliff jumping. Vinnie, his friends and the twins and I all went to “The Quarry.” It’s a huge lake with some nice cliffs around it. We did front flips, back, flips, and cannon balls for a while and then it just got too cold. It was an awesome time, there are some high cliff jumping cliffs around me at home but the water here was much nicer. You could actually see things under the water and there were no rapids from a flowing river so you felt much more comfortable.

When we got back we hung out for a little, I took the twins for a ride on the bike real quick and then I headed out towards my Aunt Pat’s house in Detroit. I haven’t seen her in a while it was good to sit and talk with her for a while. She loves the fact that I’m taking the trip and thinks it will be a great experience (It’s comforting to continue to find people who get it. Who understand what’s actually going on here. Thanks Aunt Pat it was inspiring talking with you)

It was around 10:30pm when I rolled up back to the Direstas’ house and Vinine runs up to me and takes a picture of Isabella with a camera phone. Then he goes inside gets into his swim trunks and jumps into his pool while his friend takes a picture with his camera phone. After he gets dressed he just says Joe get in the car lets go. I jump in and they explain to me that they and their friends are having a scavenger hunt. The picked out about 30 things they had to get pictures of with their camera phones and had 2 hours to do it. 711 Employees, Trains, Old Timers, and a Chinese fire drill were just a few things that were on this list. It was groups from 2-4 every group had their own car and people were all over the place. It was a really good time I wish I did stuff like that when I was younger but I guess taking pictures of cows isn’t all that exciting.

Michigan you will be missed. I’m going to be in Indiana for the night then I’m off to the Windy City. Maybe I’ll run into Kanye I’m in a good mood so I might even give him an autograph.

One Mile at a Time.

And Then I Found Ten Bucks

We have a contender ladies and gentlemen. Michigan of all places! Maybe it’s just the great company I’ve had, the good weather, or the fact that I’m getting more into the trip daily, but the Michigan/Ohio combo has been insane. I went to the Toledo Zoo with Vinnie and we spent a long time there. I went to go see the twins (Nick & Anthony) soccer game, and then went out in Detroit with Ciara.

Zoo’s are really fun, most people think that it’s only for class trips, or little kids. Well I may be a little kid (at heart) but this was no class trip. Vinnie and I saw lions and tigers (they didn’t lose anything so Vinnie was happy) some cool snakes and some dancing Elephants it was a great time. The zoo is a great way for people to learn about the different animals that are out there, but I just can’t seem to see how it can be fun for the animals. Yeah all they have to do is eat, sleep, and play but with such a small living space. They don’t even get to hunt their food which goes against their natural instincts. Looking at it that’s how I felt when I was working trapped in a cage. I was having fun, I was allowed to roam when I wanted to, but I was still confined to these time frames and working on someone else’s schedule. Now I’m no fool unless I own my own business that will always be the case. So I guess my options then would be my own business or find a job that doesn’t seem like work something that I am passionate about and would be fun for me. I’m a team player, I love to work out and stay in shape, and I like to help others. So for a while now I have been thinking about becoming a fireman. It has all the elements that I am passionate about and will constantly feed my high adrenaline needs. I guess sky diving wasn’t enough. I’m just tired of being on display at the zoo.

Vin and I after the zoo came back to the house and took a quick 15 min nap, had dinner, and then went to the twins game. These kids are incredible. Anthony and Nick are sophomores playing Varsity soccer. Ant is a Striker and Nick plays defense and they get busy. The team didn’t have a great showing yesterday but the twins put in work. It was great to see them play, although I am definitely going to miss seeing Franklin play this year. He’s playing Varsity as a sophomore as well and the kid is a beast, I mean he can almost beat me so he must be good. Franklin, kill it this year and I expect to get updates after every game.

After the game we all met back at the house and Ciara and I went out in Detroit. It was a good time and the Dollar beer certainly was something new. When we arrived it was alright. People were drinking and socializing but by the end of the night everyone was out on the dance floor getting down. Ciara started off as a great wing women but tailed off and I was flying Han Solo. It was alright I didn’t mind it, it all worked out. And to top it all off I found ten bucks outside the car when we were leaving. That’s part of the reason this post is so late in the day because I came in extremely late. It’s been awesome seeing the old neighbors and today doing some sightseeing Downtown Detroit and seeing the BIG TIRE. I’m a geek I know.

One Mile at a Time.