Category Archives: Travel

When you think of summer, what do you see? Backyard barbeques, pools, beaches and lakes, warm nights outside, a pooch lying in the grass (or sand), popcorn kernels being thrown at your face while you get eaten alive by mosquitoes (true story–thank you, Rachel)?

Well, I think of all those things. Plus, a few more. The cheesehead state of Wisconsin may royally suck in the winter, but it sure does have its moments in the summertime.

Only in Wisconsin can you find a delicious hot dog stand on the side of the road where the owner works as a principal full time and sells hot dogs just for fun. Only $4 for a Chicago dog, chips and a pop. Yum!

Only in Wisconsin can you ride a moped through the streets and not be run over by the other cars.

Did you know the Milwaukee Riverwalk spans nearly three miles? I didn't (And I bet you didn't either).

Lookin' pretty good, Milwaukee.

I wish I had some crazy good excuse about why I took a weeklong break, but sadly, I don’t. Sometimes life just gets a little messy. To anyone who actually reads what I write on here, however, I hope you will excuse my absence and still continue to read!

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Although last weekend was Memorial Day–the unofficial start to summer just about everywhere–and I was able to enjoy some truly summeresque festivities, including a wedding, baseball game (plus obligatory hot dog) and a bike ride around Rock Lake, it wasn’t until yesterday that I received the mandatory first sunburn of the season.

Skin should not be that red.

Yesterday afternoon was perfect beach weather, so Kate, Seebs and I embarked on a downtown adventure complete with a train ride, a walk from Ogilvie to Oak Street Beach, some VERY ANNOYING tween girls that could be considered the downfall of society, and a sunburn like no other. No matter how much (or how little) sunscreen we put on, we never learn.

I spent my day in Milwaukee, and despite the abysmal weather, I enjoyed traveling back to the Land of Cheeseheads. I took the Amtrak from Union Station in Chicago and just 90 minutes later I was in Milwaukee. This was my first time on an Amtrak train and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the experience was. The roundtrip ticket was cheaper than a tank of gas, the seats were comfy enough with plenty of leg room and I didn’t have to worry about traffic or parking. #winning.

Amazingly, the seats really were almost this nice.

Once I arrived, Josh and I checked out a new restaurant (new for us)–AJ Bombers–which unfortunately I wasn’t too impressed with. Going to a place known for its burgers on Good Friday, however, may have had something to do with it. Still, Josh did order a burger and rated it only “decent.” My grilled cheese fared about the same. Better luck next time.

From lunch we headed out to the Mayfair Mall to catch an afternoon showing of Water for Elephants. I had been looking forward to seeing this movie and while I have plenty of praise for Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson (!!), there was just too much circus-themed animal cruelty for me to give this film a raving review. Fortunately, I was able to use my AMC free movie passes so we didn’t waste any money. Plus, the gigantic Cinnabon we shared afterward more than made up for our iffy take on the movie.

Why must you be so unhealthy?

And just like that, an hour and a half later I was back in IL. ‘Til Monday.

[images via getty images]

One of the best parts about traveling in a foreign city, especially one as old as Rome or Florence (or really, most cities in Europe) is simply walking around and admiring the architecture. The buildings are nothing like what can be seen in America; even the oldest monument here in the States–the Tripoli monument at the U.S. Naval Academy–can’t truly compare to what Europe has to offer.

Italy obviously has a number of tourist hotspots, including the Colosseum in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, both of which we were lucky enough to see. And while touring all of the must-see highlights in each city was a necessity in my mind, it was often the stumbled-upon places that we found to be the most entertaining.

Some of our favorites: a photography exhibition of famous controversial photos at the Alinari National Museum of Photography in Florence and Mayday Club, a casual cocktail bar with delicious drinks (and some non-alcoholic ones too, for my prudish self), also in Florence.

Outside the Alinari National Museum of Photography.

The Colosseum is nuts.

Josh's absinthe-infused cocktail at the Mayday Club.

Walking through the Roman Forum.