It's Not Fair To Compare Unless You Are At The Fair

After a day in Milwaukee, Bob and I agree that is wasn't fair to compare this fair city with the afterglow of Chicago. Milwaukee's place in the rustbelt has been well-earned with empty crumbling brick manufacturing plants and many people looking for new jobs.

But, they are trying. Milwaukee is built along a river that houses condos, shops, and outdoor cafes. The city boasts about the parks along Michigan Lake shoreline and throughout the city bands play on summer evenings.

Yesterday we were greeted by two people in blue t-shirts showing they are Milwaukee Ambassadors. They had maps, walkie-talkies and were ready to answer any of our questions. I think they are here as crime lookouts - doing a great job, people are staying off the streets.

As we rode the city bus, many, many taverns, one on every corner - filled inside and out listening to bands and even playing volleyball -- but always drinking beer.

Talk about drinking beer. We made it to the Wisconsin State Fair, the only event on my list for Milwaukee. That's where we found the people -- and more beer drinkers. Everywhere beer gardens, everywhere bands playing blaring each other out.

Agriculture is a big deal in Wisconsin so the big draw, besides the beer, are the livestock shows. I caught sight of a row of Jerseys - Elsie was there!- amid herds of Holsteins and even some Guernseys, which are hard to find anywhere in the West. I remembered my time showing at the fair and hanging out with kids and shoveling manure. Yeah!

We were in good company with fairgoers who were there for the FOOD. The food pavilion was sooooooooooooo crowded with gobblers of Wisconsin cheese sandwiches, brautwiches and kraut, ice cream, potatoes, cherries, apples, honey, nuts, pizza --- all Wisconsin grown and sold. It was terrific. But, we had to find the Cream Puff Pavilion!! The puffs have their own great big building! -- and the line goes quick and the cream puff is overloaded with whipped cream!- I ate it up before taking a picture.

We didn't drink, just ate, and we were both satisfied. Milwaukee may be our kind of town, after all.