We Avoid Them Like The Plague So Why Now?

Sunday, September 14 through September 16, 2025

It’s time to pull stakes and start heading south. Some tree’s colors are starting to show a bit of fall. We have friends to meet so we are on our way.

Lambeau Field

We head back to Green Bay, the city. I’m expecting Mr. Garmin to join I-43 which is the shorter of two interstate routes south. But no, it chooses I-41 which is 40 miles longer to the same location. Jil’s smarty pants phone wants us to join I-43. Mr. Garmin must have a reason for avoiding the shorter route as it is set up for our RV’s size, height and weight and Jil’s smarty pants phone is not. So like a true believer in a less than perfect AI device I jump on I-41 as instructed by Mr. Garmin. This will play out as a possible mistake- just can’t say for sure as we didn’t travel I-43.

US 41’s pavement is rough, especially the truck lane in which we mostly travel. Traffic isn’t horrible- I’m getting used to getting cut off- but there’s not a rest area in sight in over 100 miles of travel. There is quite a few construction zones with very little construction actually being performed.

Downtown Milwaukee is a pleasant mix of old and new

We think Mr. Garmin wanted us to avoid downtown Milwaukee……..oops, the cats out of the bag! We are in Milwaukee staying at the Wisconsin State Fair RV park. It’s not pretty, it’s a parking lot, but it’s only 5 miles or so to downtown Milwaukee and its historic district/buildings. We are also here to visit our Nevada neighbors who moved back home to Wisconsin. Once a cheesehead, always a cheesehead.

Following the RV parks printed directions we drove around all four sides of the huge fairgrounds and couldn’t find the RV Park. We even inadvertently joined an equestrian event in the fairgrounds where a kind sole felt we were lost (no kidding) and gave us directions to the RV park. Jil checked in at the RV Park office and says their directions are not accurate. The gal at the desk says you should have called the office……..pshaw!

We drove downtown to Lakeshore Park and walked around a big grassy area at the edge of Lake Michigan. We were in awe of the huge hi rise buildings four of which are over 500′ tall. We then maneuvered our way to the historic district. Jil directs us to a very large building. It’s the old Blatz Brewery building that has been converted into apartments. She walk all four side of that large building looking to gain access to the lobby but all doors are locked.

We meander around a little more and stumble on to the Famous Usinger Sausage Company located in a block of very old buildings. Milwaukee still has some historic districts and has remodeled old buildings making the interiors more modern while keeping the exteriors original.

Blatz Brewery building now apartments

It’s a great use of the old buildings and it beats tearing them down, losing the character of the neighborhood in the process. Besides, the old buildings have a lot of character while new ones are just slab sided glass buildings.

The next day we head over to the Basilica of St. Josephat. This magnificent church was built in 1901 but didn’t become a Basilica until 1929. This place of worship is magnificent. Its dome towers 200 feet in the air. Its many stained glass windows stream filtered light on the pews. I was in awe of its architecture. While impressive outside, the interior is beyond words. It’s the most beautiful church I’ve ever been to the Vatican, Jil has and the Basilica of St. Josephat impressed her too.

We meet with our friends at a German restaurant just a few miles from camp. They live outside of town in a place called Waterford where many of their relatives live. Every orders something different. Baked fish for Dennis, Chicken schnitzel sandwich for Jil, Rouladen for Vicki and I ordered Sauerbraten, a favorite of mine that I was introduced to by my Swiss grandparents.

We spent a lot of time at that restaurant table catching up on old times and sharing what’s ahead in our future. Such a nice couple and a wonderful gathering with them. We hope to meet again some day.

So now it’s Wednesday and the City of Chicago stands between us and our destination. Check in on our next blog and we’ll fill you in on how that went.