Well, we have been home for 12 straight days (except for a night at my parents’) and, quite frankly, it’s really boring. We wake up each morning and can’t tell the girls that we are going to climb a mountain, or white water raft, or camp, or stay at a Kimpton, or explore the desert. Instead, they can do laundry, jump rope, play Pokémon GO, or ride bikes. Not quite the same. And I feel like my options are even less glamorous.
So we left town. Hit the road after the girls worked long shifts at the farmer’s market. We headed north toward Green Bay for the Packers Family Night tomorrow. But we had to stop in Milwaukee. I can’t think of more than a few times I’ve been in this city, mostly for concerts and the girls have never been.
We found a great Spothero spot for only $6 and spent the afternoon wandering around the Historic Third Ward. Oh my goodness, the shopping!! I bought myself an awesome box of artisan chalk that I can’t wait to use at the Brookfield Fine Art Fest’s adult chalk competition. I also got an Patagonia hat I’ve been eyeing for ages for an extra 10% off since Zak captured a Pokemon in the store. Embarrassing, but I’ll never turn down a discount. We also bought an acrylic wine glass and corkscrew since we brought wine, but forgot those essentials.
The real reason we didn’t make the three and a half hour drive straight through to Green Bay and added a stop in Milwaukee is because it is home to a brand spanking new Kimpton, the Journeyman. We have read about their rooftop bar and knew we should probably stop for a drink. Afterall, could we really be Inner Circle members and not? We entered the down-to-earth lobby and immediately faced a brilliant fireplace, an awesome chandelier, and a gorgeous pool table. (And I don’t think many pool tables are beautiful, nor necessarily belong in a hotel lobby. Journeyman pulls it off.) We were trying to take it all in when I spotted a familiar face at the front desk. It was Gretchen!! She’s the best at Hotel Burnham, one of our favorites in Chicago. We knew she had dreamed of being part of the opening team at The Journeyman and we were so thrilled to see her fulfilling her goal. She immediately greeted us, questioned where Zak’s beard went, and welcomed us to Milwaukee. Then she asked why the heck we were in town and not staying with them. Of course, we explained that we so badly wanted to be, but this wasn’t our destination. She kindly directed us to the rooftop and informed us there is a line from the elevator through the lobby every night from 4 to 11 because it is so insanely popular.
We made our way to the top and found the elevator landing full of folks at 3:55, anxiously awaiting the 4:00 door opening. Once the doors were opened we were directed to find a spot in an orderly manner. We found a cute corner with a great view and a comfy couch. Zak and I immediately ordered local IPA and the girls got kiddy cocktails that were as magnificent as the ones from Pittsburgh’s Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco. We played rounds of shuffleboard, a sport I’m surprisingly good at. We nibbled on an awesome appetizer wood fired pizza. We soaked in the sun and the stresslessness of being away from home. Once we were 100% confident we’d return (like there was any question) we said our good byes to Gretchen and promised to be back so very soon.
We are now making our way north to Green Bay, because these cheeseheads are ready to party and get excited for the 2016 season! Go, Pack, Go!!
