Great American road trip: Wisconsin curds and Georgia O’Keefe

by Jamie Rhein on

Even when whizzing through a state on the way to somewhere else, it’s possible to make observations. One can discover something new or remember a detail known, but forgotten.

As I am writing this, we are whizzing through Wisconsin on our way to Minneapolis after a night at La Quinta Inn in Madison. This is one leg of our road trip to Montana. No time on this leg for stops–except to pee and fill up on coffee and gas. We’re on a schedule with people to visit by dinner.

Still, I want Wisconsin to have more impact than the breakfast we had this morning which was just like the breakfast we had at a La Quinta in Denver two summers ago.

La Quinta Inns might be the same everywhere, but I’ve noticed a difference in barns. In Ohio, where I live, most I’ve seen are white. In Wisconsin, red seems to be the most common. I’ve also thought about the cheese curds that I bought near Wisconsin Dells three years ago when we also took this route. We didn’t have time to linger back then either.

At a rest area stop this afternoon, I picked up a brochure for Sun Prairie, the birthplace of Georgia O’Keefe. Sun Prairie is not far from where we are at the moment. Her grandparents who were Irish immigrants who settled here in 1848. O’Keefe was born in 1887 and grew up not far from her grandparent’s farm. According to the brochure, O’Keefe’s family’s house burned down in 1976, but there is a historic marker in its place. The town also has celebrations in her honor.

As we’re whizzing through Wisconsin, I’m noticing the scenery and can see why O’Keefe might have been attracted to New Mexico where she spent years painting the desert. Although Wisconsin’s land is covered with green lushness, the shape is similar to many of the hills in the Southwest. There is a craggy quality. Peel off the trees and you could be at the back of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque. Wisconsin and New Mexico are like the yin and yang of landscape.

Years ago, a woman I knew who lived in Albuquerque said she was moving back to Wisconsin, her home state, because New Mexico was too frightening and harsh because of its lack of trees. Wisconsin is like a mother, she said-with fewer sharp edges.

I’ve heard people from the desert who live in the Midwest speak of feeling boxed in and smothered by trees. They miss the vistas.

As we flew by the Dells’ exits, my son salivated over the water parks. Every hotel seemed to have one. “Can we come back sometime?” he wondered.

“Yeah, maybe.”

He’s heard a lot of maybes. Fortunately, hotel water parks are not particular to Wisconsin’s scenery. I sure wish we had found the time, though, to stop for those cheese curds.

Attend Milwaukee’s Summerfest in honor of George Carlin

by Jamie Rhein on

George Carlin, the guy who created quite the stir in the 1970s with his comedy routine, “Seven Dirty Words You Can’t Say on Television,” just died yesterday.

When I went looking for a travel related element to add to this piece of news, I came upon this tidbit. Carlin was arrested for performing this very routine in 1972 at the Milwaukee Summerfest . As it so happens, the Milwaukee Summerfest starts this Thursday, June 26 and ends on July 6. That’s some festival.

The festival is touted as being the world’s largest music event. After browsing the line-up, I can see why. It is impressive. Stevie Wonder, The Love Monkeys, LeAnn Rimes, Rush, Fantasia, and Tim McGraw are just a few of the performers. Isn’t that a mix of styles?

This festival also has many, many activities that are family-oriented. The family-oriented quality is partly what got George in trouble.

The day admission fee is doable. Adults are $8 weekdays and $15 weekends, for example. You can buy and print tickets and a parking pass for no extra fee online. It’s one way to beat the crowds.

Here’s an article about what happened in 1972 at the festival and the impressions that Carlin gave later about the event. And here’s a quote of his that has to do with travel–kind of.

“Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.”

Here’s a link to other Carlin quotes and a link to his Web site, also quirky and funny.

Mars’ Cheese Castle

by Erik McLaughlin on

I was, recently, lucky enough to get an “escape weekend” from Chicago to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the drive to Milwaukee, along Interstate 94, I found a mecca of cheese and salami. Mars’ Cheese Castle is not only an almost mandatory pit-stop for those traveling between Chicago and Milwaukee, but it is a treasure trove of tasty foods and great service. Part restaurant, bar, gourmet deli and gift shop, this is a worth the stop!

I am a big fan of wines, cheeses and various meats/salami. Mars’ Cheese Castle satiated my appetites quite nicely. An easy access location allows an easy break from the Interstate and ample parking makes it tough to say “no” to a quick stop for supplies.

Wisconsin is known for great cheese and the Castle doesn’t disappoint. Immediately, upon entrance, the deli counter is in view. Packed with great things, both local production and foreign, I was lost for about an hour just browsing. Of course you can get famous and fresh Wisconsin Cheese Curds, in many varieties. I was surprised, by the store’s humble appearance, at the selection of imported cheeses including Gruyere, blues and goat cheeses.

Their meat section contains a nice selection of sausages and various luncheon meats. Usinger’s products are prominently featured and after a few taste tests, I saw why. There are also some interesting gift ideas, such as sausages shaped like beer bottles. For something to add to your salami and cheese collection, hit their fresh bakery in the back of the store. Fresh cheese, bread, danishes, and rolls are made several times per day.

While you are busy buying foods for your picnic or to enjoy later that night, browse their gift section with some eclectic items that are uniquely “Wisconsin.” The Green Bay packers logo is on every conceivable item you could imagine. Cows are another common subject and a better collection of “Brick-a-Brack” or “Chotckies” could not be found, anywhere.

What good is all this food without a little wine or beer too wash it down? While there, we managed to get a few bottles of Von Stiehl Wine, from a surprisingly good selection considering they also had beer shaped salami. Still, it is a beer brewing state and beers, beer steins and gift boxes they have a ton of.

Mars’ Cheese Castle is easy to see from the highway and easy to get to. The food and beverage selection is impressive and you can get a dish towel with a smiling Wisconsin cow picture. What else can you ask for on a road trip through Wisconsin? Next time you are in southern Wisconsin, stop by and make sure you are hungry!

[See map]

The Fonz in bronze in Milwaukee

by Jamie Rhein on

Almost a year ago, I wrote a post about a town in Serbia that was hoping to get some good luck by erecting a statue of Rocky Balboa. The original Rocky Balboa statue now resides at the base of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the same steps that Rocky ran up in the first Rocky movie. At first the museum said no go to keeping the statue. It was not considered art by the museum’s standards. The statue was sent on over to the sports arena until the museum changed its mind a few years ago and took it back.

There is a similar situation in Milwaukee where statues pop art has created a difference of opinion and a pop culture icon will permanently represent the city. A group has raised enough funds through “Bronze the Fonz” for a bronze statue of Fonzie from the TV show Happy Days. Happy Days was set in Milwaukee so these folks want to do something to honor the notoriety. Fonzie was picked to be the Happy Days icon since the Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli was an integral part of what made the show stand out.

There are some folks in Milwaukee that are not pleased that a fake person is being memorialized in bronze. Henry Winkler, the actor who played Fonzie of course is real and pleased with the efforts. As a matter of fact, I saw him in West Hollywood at the West Hollywood Book Fair I attended last September. He walked right by me on his way to his guest speaker session. Those that are complaining consider that a bronze rendition of Fonzie is a far cry from highbrow art.

My thinking is that popular culture is a part of art. Andy Warhol, for example. became famous for this concept. If the Fonz in bronze makes the group of people who raised the $85,000 in order to get the statue made are happy, and it provides some cultural interest in Milwaukee’s city scene for everyone else, why not? According to the AP article by Carrie Antlfinger, Fonzie has company as TV character people statues go. There’s a bronze version of Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis for example and Bob Hartley (Newhart) in Chicago.

Liberal Housemate Wanted (Madison, WI)

by Iva Skoch on

I just saw this sign at Just Coffee (fair trade coffee shop) in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend and it made me laugh. It also made me realize it’s been a while since I looked for a roommate. Apparently, people no longer look for housemates based on their inherent sense of cleanliness and ability to pay rent on time. Today, what one seeks in a roommate is a “liberal” way of life. Republicans need not apply. What about embracing diversity, kids?

The poster says “we are serious about recycling, voting, not wasting food, water, electricity, etc.” Is that honestly what “liberal” has become in this country? And, what do you mean by “serious about voting”?

Honestly, in a town like Madison, the nest of American creativity (just a reminder – Jon Stewart, S. Colbert, The Onion…- all started here), is it even possible to find a non-liberal housemate?