Midwest-Day 2

I slept till 7:20 and Oakley and Ranger were ready for me to wake up. I didn't hold Luca, who's under a year old. I just know he's not walking or talking yet. But I'm just not used to babies. that said, there were a number of times he just stared me down wondering what I was. About as much as I did was hold out my index finger and let him just grip it for a few minutes.

On my way I went into the Badger State. And there was only one place to go for breakfast: Frank's Diner in Kenosha. I've probably been there half a dozen times or more. I love their food, but also their snark and their sarcasm. And it's not a building, it's just a little train car with maybe 6 tables and 16 counter stools. Adds to the atmosphere with the tight quarters. I ordered the garbage plate, which includes 5 eggs, potatoes, peppers, and onion, plus I added with bacon, sausage, jalapeños, cheddar and mozzarella cheese. And of course, the homemade toast, made with yogurt, bran, and honey. And if I'm guessing, they only spread about 2 sticks of softened butter on the two slices. It was like getting a bagel  in New York City and they put two inches worth of cream cheese in between. 

Sadly, I skipped Elegant Farmer, I anted to get my apple pie, but there just wasn't enough time and I wasn't exactly ready to eat right away. Instead, I drove 45 minutes north to Milwaukee, stopping at 

South Shore Park for a brief walk. It wasn't incredibly special, but it was a chance to take a few pictures of some fountains and the shoreline.

Next, I went to the National Bobblehead Museum, which I didn't even know existed until the day before. For only 5 bucks, and they have 10,000+ bobbleheads, why not? They had bobbleheads of athletes, Presidents, comedians, actors, mascots, actors, religious figures, and so on. I did a scavenger hunt where I had to find a bobblehead for every letter of the alphabet. for the final two, I managed to use John Quincy Adams to fill in the Q and Xander Bogaerts for the X. and for that, I scored a free sticker. Sadly though, I couldn't find Waldo. Not even after I googled the picture of the Waldo bobblehead. The store is pretty limited on bobbleheads to take home, that's the one thing I wish was different.

At this point, I was ready for more food. And I'm sorry, but in Wisconsin, it's tough to get away with a chopped salad or a kale smoothie. It was Sobelman's for a huge burger. I ordered the Loser with Colby-jack cheese, smoked bacon, and buttery caramelized onions. Except I made it a Triple Loser. So instead of a 1/3 pound patty, I took down a full pound of burger. The bartender couldn't believe I would dare to order something like that, but he agreed. I also asked for extra pickle chips to help change up the flavors in my mouth and he came through, which was really cool of him. The New Glarus Spotted Cow beer tasted great, I hadn't had one in 8 or 9 years. And even though I tried to go easy on the fries during my trip, theirs were excellent, especially dipped in their jalapeno ketchup. Despite being a guy who never uses ketchup except for making a sauce, this is one ketchup I'd buy and keep in my kitchen.

I then went to Third Space Brewing, which I had only visited once, in 2017. I quickly realized it wasn't the same, just too many sexual flags hanging in the brewery. I had one flight and left. I was feeling pretty loaded anyway and my phone was draining so I decided it was time to check into the Sonesta hotel in west Milwaukee. There was a line of 7-8 people waiting to check in. I got Room 317, which was cool, it make me think of the verse in Colossians. I took a much needed shower while the phone charged, changed, drank a bottle of water and then headed to Miller Park for Mets vs Brewers. 

OK it's called American Family Field, but it's a stupid name. Put it this way, it's not distinctly Milwaukee like Miller is. At the ballpark, it was Hispanic night. I saw lowriders in the parking lot, the national anthem was performed Mariachi style. I had just one cocktail with peach and whiskey and that was it. 

As for the game, it was a typical disaster. Of course, the Mets hit 2 solo home runs to start off the game, but the entire time I was just waiting for the collapse to happen. And sure enough, it did. Kodai Senga can't even get out of the 5th inning. And it was a  3-2 loss, as starling Marte got thrown out at home plate to end the game. And the truth is I was out by the fifth inning. Francisco Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play and I knew they were going to lose and there was absolutely no point in watching it. Of course there was an incredibly hot blonde next to me but there was an engagement ring and I knew she was seeing me at my worst so I made sure not to have a single conversation.

The Mets went onto lose the next two and get swept, so thank God I was only there for one of the disasters. As good as the trip as, this was far and away the biggest nightmare I dealt with. 10 losses in their last 11 games and barely clinging to a wild card berth.