Pink Hat Gypsy

Our trip to Milwaukee was planned as a means to check Wisconsin off our list of states visited together.   I came here with no expectations, didn’t even do any research prior to our trip. 

Little did I know that the moment our Lyft driver drove into the beautiful downtown that I would fall in love with this gorgeous city located on Lake Michigan. 

It may have had something to do with the perfect weather that ran from the mid 60’s to low 80’s that was a nice respite from the triple digits we were experiencing in San Antonio.  But there was so much more.

Lake Michigan was a inviting color of blue, with lighthouse beacons protecting sailors from the rocky shores in front of them. 

All along the lake there were sailboats taking advantage of the breeze and the weather.  Veterens Park in front of the Lake was the perfect place for flying a kite, riding a a bike, reading a book or taking a nap.

 

The dragon flies looked like a battalion of tiny helicopters swooping in on the park.

We stopped to listen to a 1980’s theme band (complete with polyester clothings and tight shirts)that filled us with memories of being young.

The Historic Third Ward was filled with restaurants like Benelux, where we had brunch on the roof, enjoying delicious food while enjoying the perfect summer weather.

In Old Town you could find nearly any kind of beer you could think of, while enjoying some of the regions finest cheeses and sausages.

We stopped at Brüdd Cafe for a beer flight and cheese plate appetizer.

 Then had dinner at the Milwaukee Brat house where we shared a sausage sampler and cheese soup.

The city is filled with sculptures, 

Fun sculptures

Patriotic Sculptures 

Odd Sculptures

And even whimsical sculptures.

I may have felt differently about this town had I arrived in the weather, where I was told the temperatures can drop to 50º below, but if I were going to chose a place to visit in August again, Milwaukee would definitely be top of my list.

My husband Don has been a million miler diamond member with Delta for years and we have heard mysterious tales of people being picked up by The Delta Porsche Cayenne to transport them between gates.  But we always thought those were just urban legends like the Chupacabra or Big Foot.

Until recently.

 We landed in Detroit ready to make a fast sprint through the airport so we could make our very short connection.

We were barely off the plane when we saw her…Amy… from Delta standing there with a iPad in her hands emblazoned with the words, “Welcome Don & Jill Vermeulen”.

I adjusted my eyes then nudged Don who was ready to go racing up the jet bridge.

“Hello” he said cautiously, “We are Don & Jill”

With a smile she informed us she was there to escort us to our next gate.

And she was not driving one of those irritating little golf carts that are always honking at you in the airport, she walked us outside and put our luggage in a beautiful Porsche Cayenne!

Was this a dream, did the elusive Porsche really exist?   Were we really being chauffeured like royalty across the airport tarmac?

This wasn’t just a quick ride from point A to B, she stopped at one of the larger planes, allowed us to take pictures and even insisted on taking our bags up the staircase so Don could take photographs. (Figures I didn’t have my sunglasses and was squinting the whole time.)

 

When she took us in the back way up the stairs and right to the door of the plane on the jet bridge, people stopped to stare.

 

We felt like rockstars as we got on the plane and were ushered to our first class seats for the flight to Hartford.

Don has always said Delta Airlines treats him so well that it is hard for him to have to get on any other carrier, and I fully agree, but after our encounter with Amy and that rock star service I know we will be Delta loyal forever.

During a visit to Las Vegas we wanted to get away from the bright lights and chaos of the city, so we started a 3 hour drive to Lake Havasu to see if Jerry Jeff Walker was telling the truth when he said that “London Bridge had fallen down and moved to Arizona.”We drove through 3 states to get there, and loved that Nevada not only welcomes you into their state, they also thank you for visiting as you leave.

 

 

 

Through the Mojave Desert we travelled thinking we may never again see signs of civilization.

  Suddenly we were driving past a beautiful lake with water so blue that wondered if we were seeing a mirage.

 Arriving at the Holiday Inn we had booked for our overnight stay, we opened up the curtains in our room, and there it was The London Bridge, not just a replica or a few of the bricks arranged for viewing, it was a fully working bridge, cars driving and people walking over.  It even still bore the bullet holes on the sides left over from World War 2.

 

 

From our hotel it was a short walk over to London Land which according to the signs when you walk past the dragons your in London (and you don’t even need a passport.)

 

 

The Bridge was incredible but beautiful Lake Havasu was calling to us, there were several options for boat tours on the lake but Sunset Charter and tour Company was one that came highly recommended.

 

 

 

We were very fortunate to be able to book the three hour Sunset Experience

 

 

The price was $50.00 per person and when we arrived at the boat we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves boarding a beautiful pontoon boat with only 8 seats (6 passenger seats, a captain and a seat in front next to the captain). Each seat was comfortable and had a water view, there would be no standing tiptoe with 50 other people all trying to get a view instead I felt like I was boarding a boat with friends.

 

 

Kevin our Captain and tour guide was awesome. From the moment the trip started, he shared with us the fascinating history of the area.

 

 

Cruising around the lake and into coves the stories he told made us feel as though we had stepped back in time and were seeing the area as our ancestors had.

 

The scenery was awe inspiring no photograph could ever give justice to the palate of colors and perfection of the land and water.   When he was not telling us stories of the lake he played perfect music as we moved through the water.

 

When the sun had set we sailed under a magnificent canopy of stars on a moonless night, Kevin had a gift for combining music, landscape, and underwater lights on the boat to create an amazing light show.This was by far the best money we have ever spent on anything we have ever done!   

 

 

The 3 hours flew by and I was sad when The London Bridge came into view and we found ourselves at the end of our tour.

Sunset Tours has a variety of sailing options available.

In my opinion this was one of the most amazing tours I have ever taken and if I lived in the area I would go on it every day, both Terrie and Sharon at the ticket office were great, they advise to book at least 2 weeks in advance and more if you plan to visit during their busy fall and winter months.

 

 

One of the surprises in Lake Havasu was that it has the largest number of lighthouses in one area, they are smaller replicas of many light houses but they are all fully functional.

 

 

Lake Havasu is beautiful but it is very hot with very little shade, so if you visit bring a hat, water and sunscreen.

 

The Holiday Inn was the perfect place to stay as it is walking distance to places to eat, London Town and many of the boat tours, they have free parking and breakfast, and if you join IHG you get points could eventually lead to free stays.

 

 

There are lots of places to eat in the area we chose The Blue Chair for drinks and appetizers it is nearby the docks, great place to wait for one of the sunset cruises if you arrive early.

Shugrues has a great variety of delicious food as well as beautiful views of Lake Havasu and The London Bridge.

Our overnight stay barely left us enough time to scratch the surface in the beautiful town, I definitely would return again!

 

 

If your hungry in Los Angelas and on a limited budget then consider checking out The Original Pantry Cafe at 877 S Figueroa St.

Neither fancy nor overpriced this a great little cafe with fair prices, delicious food and huge portions.

   There is usually a line to get in around the most popular times (breakfast, lunch dinner).   They don’t take reservations, you get in line and wait for a table to open.  

If its a small group consider trying to get a spot at the counter if one of those seats comes open and your standing there its yours. Open 24 hours and be sure to stop at the ATM before visiting though as they only take cash. Service is fast and you will leave full and happy.

In a quiet cornfield in Iowa there is a simple tribute to The Big Bopper (JP Richardson), Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Roger Peterson, four men who died in a tragic plane crash February 3, 1959

The crash is a true testament to how a simple act of fate can change a life.

The Big Bopper had the flu, so Waylon Jennings gave him his spot on the plane, and Tommy Allsup lost a coin flip with Richie Valens.  Neither Tommy nor Waylon could know giving up those seats would save their lives.

 

The memorial is neither showy nor fancy, 3 simple records and wings for the pilot, a wind vane made of cake pans and a few treasures that fans have left over the years.

I was so impressed how well maintained the pathway was, the grass from the road to the memorial was mowed and green.

Its a beautiful yet sad reminder of an event that changed the course of music and left us wondering where these men would be today if they had chosen to stay on the bus.

Its a long drive through endless cornfields, there is no fee to get it.  Put 22728 Gull Ave., Clear Lake, IA into your GPS.  Park near the Buddy Holly Glasses near the side of the road and walk about 1/4 mile through the cornfield to the memorial.  

Be respectful of the surrounding area, some very kind farmer is allowing the public to walk through his fields, show him the same respect he shows for these great musicians and their fans by memorializing  the day and place that the music died.

If you love Georgia O’Keefe art or if you just want to see beautiful mountains then go to the little town of Abiquiu, New Mexico and visit Georgia O’Keefe’s beautiful home and surrounding property.

Near the Abiquiu Inn you can purchase tickets ($35.00) that includes the shuttle bus drive over, a knowledgeable guide (we had brilliant Brenda) who knew all things Georgia and had a true passion not only for her art but knew about the beautiful little town and natural back drop that surrounded the home.

The home is very simple, almost sparse, but the true beauty comes from the views one gets from the enormous picture windows that are in every room.

Our guide would hold up pictures of paintings, then point to the inspiration that Georgia had to inspire her.

I knew very little about this iconic artist prior to my visit to Abiquiu, but now I not only know more about her, but I have an appreciation for the way that she captured the beauty in everything from spectacular mountains, to small doors.

We were told stories of how she used all the fruits and vegetables in her meals, this woman was no starving artist, yet she made sure everything in her garden was put to use and that she could not use immediately was canned and saved.

 

They do not allow photographs to be taken in the home, but you may take as many pictures of the surrounding property as you wish.

After your tour, if your hungry visit The Cafe Abiquiu, the menu is filled with delicious looking meals, I chose the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with tomatoes made panini style.

Wonderful day with my dear friends Patrice and Elizabeth plus a delicious meal, who could ask for more!