Between the Bars

Hydrobikes at Juneau Park Lagoon

I found myself in awe of the juxtaposition of nature and city life found in Milwaukee when I moved to the lower East Side. I love how I can wake up in the morning and bike along the Oak Leaf Trail, spend the afternoon playing volleyball on Bradford Beach, and then relax by catching the game at a nearby tavern – all while never straying far from home.

Downtown Milwaukee has definitely been shaped by the industries that built the city – from the steel and iron mills to meat packing plants and breweries. But the construction of the lakefront has a different history. In the 1920's, the city had the novel idea to unite people and nature. This is why today trails and roadways, not factories, skirt Lake Michigan, making the lakefront the perfect spot to partake in peaceful outdoor activities.

Sure, we may not have Navy Pier or flourishing green precincts like the Chicago Park District, or the white sand and turquoise waters of the Caribbean, but it doesn't matter. Our lakefront has a lot to offer as it provides Milwaukee citizens and visitors alike with plenty of activities that make for a great escape without traveling hours away from the city.

As a matter of fact, just north of Veterans Park near the lakefront, the Juneau Park Paddleboats Company offers three perfect ways – hydrobikes, paddleboats, or radio-controlled sailboats – for Milwaukeeans to get away from bustling city life and unwind.

The hydrobikes, and other activities, are located in the Juneau Park Lagoon at Veterans Park, which is just off the shore of Lake Michigan and along North Lincoln Memorial Drive. Until this time, I hadn’t actually seen a hydrobike, and even though I didn’t know what to expect, I wanted to take one for a spin.

According to the rules of Juneau Park Paddleboats, Inc. either a valid driver's license or a state I.D. is required as a deposit, life jackets are provided and must be worn by all passengers, parental consent is needed for anyone under age 16, and children must be at least one year of age in order to ride a hydrobike.

Eric and I chained our bikes to the nearby bike rack and strolled up to the stand where we were warmly greeted by the Paddleboats staff who then had us sign a waiver as they collected our $10 fee. I was thrilled to learn that both single and double passenger hydrobikes were available. I really wanted to get a tandem bike with Eric so that we could tour the lagoon together, or better yet, to coax him into doing most of the pedaling. Had I know of his desire to chase the ducks in the pond, I would have probably chosen to go solo, though.

We secured our snug, orange life jackets and then shuffled onto the wooden dock that jutted out into the picturesque Juneau Park Lagoon. At this time, final modifications were made to the height of our seats so our 30 minute ride would be comfortable. Then, we were briefed on how to operate the bikes.

Interestingly, the hydrobikes didn’t look the way I imagined. I envisioned a Big Wheel, like the one I road as a toddler, but they were actually built around a sturdy aluminum bicycle frame mounted on a pair of 10-foot catamaran-style pontoons.

   

As Eric and I began pedaling forward, a steel chain drive began to spin a propeller down below. I felt surprisingly stable on the water as we moved from the dock to the middle of the tree-lined lagoon.

I read earlier that couples find hydrobikes to be great “relationship builders”, especially on the tandem bikes. Even though I thought that statement was a bit ridiculous, I eventually understood. Eric and I had to work as a team to pedal at an agreeable speed and to simultaneously steer with our handle bars. Thankfully, both of us are pretty even-tempered because feuding couples would be going in circles.

Fireworks Light Up the Lakefront

One of the highlights of summer for me is Fourth of July weekend.

Yep, it’s great to have an extended weekend, but what makes the holiday extra special are the blazing fireworks that light up the pitch-black sky on July 3.

Each year Milwaukeeans are dazzled by a spectacular Independence Day celebration that’s performed one day early by Bartolotta Fireworks Company and hosted by US Bank.

Milwaukee’s US Bank fireworks show was an honored tradition for my family and I until my parents moved north to West Bend. But this year, after a four-year hiatus, I decided to relive one of my favorite pastimes.

I took the day off of work to head to Lake Michigan’s lakefront. Eric met at my place and we gathered up some last odds and ends. We figured that since we were the only two who could get out of work, we’d secure a spot early in Veterans Park and hold down the fort until the rest of our friends could get there.

See, you’d be crazy to assume that you can show up at 6 p.m. and score a place to watch the show. Already by 3 p.m. Veterans Park was brimming with thousands of families and friends, locals and visitors who were grilling out, picnicking or just relaxing as they anticipated the night’s spectacular.

From McKinley Marina to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the entire lakefront looked like one enormous camp ground as hundreds of tents and campers scattered the once bare terrain. Many of these people camped out over night and declared their seats by roping off a large plot with police tape – that got a little ridiculous, if you ask me.

Eric and I made a quick run to the grocery store to get a couple of snacks to munch on – fruits, veggies, chips – and some beer, and then picked up two #4 sandwiches at Jimmy John's on Brady Street. We filled a couple of coolers and found several blankets, and then we made the short hike to Lake Michigan to stake out our spot.

Believe it or not, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into a day of waiting in the park – seasoned spectators know what I mean! You need to pack food, a cooler and something to sit on, and then navigate the city to find parking and later devise a plan for departure and a fast route home. Of course, all of that seems pretty painless when considering the meticulous planning involved in US Bank’s firework extravaganza.

Eric introduced me to SciFi's blog DVICE, which featured a post last year about Milwaukee's lakefront fireworks, which explained how it all works. To get this 50-minute show and each shooter synchronized, it takes a heck of a lot of time, patience and skill, I’m sure.

According to the site, originator Jeff Bartolotta uses a software package mainly created for pyrotechnics and to choreograph the explosive spectacle. By means of this computer program, each and every sky explosion is laid out on a time line and graphically simulated in 3D. Bartolotta doesn’t use computerized ignition though; instead, fuses are hand-lit by an impressively efficient seasonal team of about two dozen pro-pyrotechnics and volunteers equipped with flares. You can read more about the technical stuff by heading over here.

One of the highlights of summer for me is Fourth of July weekend.

Yep, it’s great to have an extended weekend, but what makes the holiday extra special are the blazing fireworks that light up the pitch-black sky on July 3.

Each year Milwaukeeans are dazzled by a spectacular Independence Day celebration that’s performed one day early by Bartolotta Fireworks Company and hosted by US Bank.

Milwaukee’s US Bank fireworks show was an honored tradition for my family and I until my parents moved north to West Bend. But this year, after a four-year hiatus, I decided to relive one of my favorite pastimes.

I took the day off of work to head to Lake Michigan’s lakefront. Eric met at my place and we gathered up some last odds and ends. We figured that since we were the only two who could get out of work, we’d secure a spot early in Veterans Park and hold down the fort until the rest of our friends could get there.

See, you’d be crazy to assume that you can show up at 6 p.m. and score a place to watch the show. Already by 3 p.m. Veterans Park was brimming with thousands of families and friends, locals and visitors who were grilling out, picnicking or just relaxing as they anticipated the night’s spectacular.

From McKinley Marina to the Milwaukee Art Museum, the entire lakefront looked like one enormous camp ground as hundreds of tents and campers scattered the once bare terrain. Many of these people camped out over night and declared their seats by roping off a large plot with police tape – that got a little ridiculous, if you ask me.

Eric and I made a quick run to the grocery store to get a couple of snacks to munch on – fruits, veggies, chips – and some beer, and then picked up two #4 sandwiches at Jimmy John's on Brady Street. We filled a couple of coolers and found several blankets, and then we made the short hike to Lake Michigan to stake out our spot.

Believe it or not, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into a day of waiting in the park – seasoned spectators know what I mean! You need to pack food, a cooler and something to sit on, and then navigate the city to find parking and later devise a plan for departure and a fast route home. Of course, all of that seems pretty painless when considering the meticulous planning involved in US Bank’s firework extravaganza.

Eric introduced me to SciFi's blog DVICE, which featured a post last year about Milwaukee's lakefront fireworks, which explained how it all works. To get this 50-minute show and each shooter synchronized, it takes a heck of a lot of time, patience and skill, I’m sure.

According to the site, originator Jeff Bartolotta uses a software package mainly created for pyrotechnics and to choreograph the explosive spectacle. By means of this computer program, each and every sky explosion is laid out on a time line and graphically simulated in 3D. Bartolotta doesn’t use computerized ignition though; instead, fuses are hand-lit by an impressively efficient seasonal team of about two dozen pro-pyrotechnics and volunteers equipped with flares. You can read more about the technical stuff by heading over here.

Understanding Lakefront Development

For years, the beaches and parks around Lake Michigan here were the victim of age, neglect and changing times.

The shoreline was filthy, smelly and used as a dumping ground for trash. Less funding for maintenance compounded the problem, and the debris washed in from the lake stayed put.

Last year, Milwaukee revamped Bradford and McKinley beaches, giving the community a new reason to hit the sand and to keep the area clean. The Bradford Beach House was given a facelift and now offers live music, events, concessions, rentals and volleyball. Vivacious crowds are breathing life into a once-desolate beach.

Additionally, the old, unused Coast Guard station at McKinley Marina was demolished and changed into a new, open-air park pavilion that allows public access to the gorgeous lakeshore panorama.

These changes are a step in the right direction.

Still, I have wondered why Milwaukee's charming lakefront isn't built up like Chicago's. I've envisioned gardens, monuments, restaurants and even a small amusement park. That could provide additional attractions and entertainment for residents and visitors alike.

But in doing research, I've learned the reason for Milwaukee's reluctance to develop areas near the lake. Milwaukee takes pride in its parks system, and early in the development of the city, Milwaukee decided to keep the lakefront as a place for man to be in harmony with nature.

The Lakefront Development Advisory Commission is responsible for recommending all projects relating to lakefront development. Its visions include protecting the natural beauty and view of the lakefront. Developments that don't require the lakefront in order to function are discouraged. Restaurants, nightclubs and the like fall into that category and, thus, wouldn't be recommended.

According to the Milwaukee County Parks Web site, the parks system began with the creation in 1907 of the Milwaukee County Park Commission. Although parks had been established in Milwaukee by the City Park Commission, the new county commission had a broader goal.

The Web site says: "Early commissioners conceived of a park system that would form a 'green belt' or series of scenic drives and parks encircling the county... Commissioners selected land not only for its natural beauty and interest but also for its fitness for various forms of active and passive recreation."

The general feeling is that littering the lakefront with buildings and restaurants detracts from the lake's natural beauty. Policies differ from state to state, but Milwaukee's restrictions for shoreline development resonate throughout cities around each Great Lake.

So, should something like Chicago's Navy Pier be considered for Milwaukee? Navy Pier is not a new development. It started as a commercial shipping area in 1909, became an eyesore in the 1970s and was revamped into a civic destination. Navy Pier was grandfathered in, much like Northpoint Burgers and Custard, the recently refurbished snack shop on Milwaukee's lakefront.

While a commercialized spot such as Navy Pier could make our lakefront more exciting and bustling, the existing policies seem to be working here. A recent survey stated that visitors to Milwaukee rated the lakefront as the first of three top attractions in the region.

The urban living experience is growing in Milwaukee. Improving the natural beauty of the area is paramount to attracting new residents and business to the downtown area.

While it may not always seem like it, Milwaukee's lakefront is indeed prospering by continuing to preserve a destination that's unique to our city and one that elicits much pride.

Originally published here.

Photo comes from gettyimages.com.

In Honor of Memorial Day...

What does Memorial Day stand for? A day off? The start of summer? Parades and picnics? The opening of public swimming pools? The day you can start to wear white again?

Some think that the “memorial” in Memorial Day has been ignored. It seems that many of us don’t observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given their life to fight for our freedom.

As many people prepare to go to the beach or have a picnic or just spend a day at the mall, Memorial Day gets lost amid the hubbub of a long weekend and the unofficial maker of summer. While I admit that I sometimes lose sight of how lucky we are to live in a free country and to have people willingly fight for our democracy, I’ve also learned that Memorial Day’s meaning goes far beyond the three-day weekend we anticipate each year.

When I was young my parents would take us kids to the local Memorial Day parade to honor our veterans or fallen soldiers and to actively acknowledge the fact that my two grandfathers served in WWII. For the last few years, however, I haven’t made much of an effort to partake in real Memorial Day events.

That’s why this year I decided to bring the solemn meaning back to Memorial Day and turn my mind and heart to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice – not to honor war, but to honor those who died in such conflicts or war. I feel by taking an hour or so out of my extended weekend to reflect on this meaning, I’m doing what little justice I can to the day.

On Sunday, Eric and I spent nearly an hour at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center. Located along the shore of Lake Michigan, the War Memorial Center is Wisconsin’s most visible memorial that’s dedicated to the men and women who gave their lives to preserve the freedom of the United States and the world.

The Center was conceived by a group of Milwaukee women in the late years of WWII to honor everyone who served in the United States Armed Forces. According to the website, the Center’s mission is “to honor the dead by serving the living through arts and diverse cultural activities.” People who were moved by this vision began fundraising and eventually pooled together enough resources to dedicate the building in 1957.

To this day, the Center is a way to keep the veteran community’s legacies alive, ensuring that future generations remember the sacrifices that were made to afford each of us the freedoms we enjoy every day. It’s also a great way to get back to the original spirit of Memorial Day, or to just spend a few hours to reflect on any given day.

The building itself shows the architectural and cultural significance of Milwaukee at the time it was constructed. It was designed to look like a “floating cruciform with cantilevered portions” and it's considered a classic in the development of modern architecture.

I also learned that the west-facing wall of the Center was later transformed into a tribute to honor those who died in service from 1941 to 1957 and from 1950 to 1953 by a 1,440,000-piece mosaic that features Roman numerals to represent the dates of WWII and the Korean Conflict.

Eric and I went up a couple of steps and entered through the main entrance and into the gallery. On Sunday, the entire place was quiet besides the muffled sounds from activities taking place outside.

The building itself shows the architectural and cultural significance of Milwaukee at the time it was constructed. It was designed to look like a “floating cruciform with cantilevered portions” and it's considered a classic in the development of modern architecture.

I also learned that the west-facing wall of the Center was later transformed into a tribute to honor those who died in service from 1941 to 1957 and from 1950 to 1953 by a 1,440,000-piece mosaic that features Roman numerals to represent the dates of WWII and the Korean Conflict.

Eric and I went up a couple of steps and entered through the main entrance and into the gallery. On Sunday, the entire place was quiet besides the muffled sounds from activities taking place outside.

Lakeshore State Park

With over 140 parks and parkways totaling nearly 15,000 acres, the Milwaukee Park System typically offers a source of recreational enjoyment for Milwaukeeans and visitors alike.

Early commissioners conceived a park system that would form a "green belt" or series of scenic drives and parks encircling the county. Commissioners selected land not only for its natural beauty and interest, but also for its suitability for various forms of active and passive recreation.

When I went to the newly created Lakeshore State Park, the first new state park in about 20 years, I didn’t think it honored the commissioner’s early philosophy. With dozens of signs deterring folks for picnicking, swimming and fishing, this atypical park didn’t really provide the recreational enjoyment you’d anticipate.

See, the word "park" conjures up leafy canopies and lush foliage, which is what I naively expected to find at this "Island Park,"as dubbed by locals. But, let me tell you, don’t expect any of that at the new Lakeshore State Park or you might be disappointed like I initially was.

Just bear in mind that it’s not a "state park" in the sense that it’s composed of fertile forest trails, picnic areas and camping sites, but more like an urban oasis where folks can take a short stroll, connect with the waters of Lake Michigan and the outer limits of the city – I can assure you there’s a lot it has to offer.

So what can you expect? An appealing urban experience with a large, wide-open space that serves as a connection for pedestrian and bicycle access to the shoreline, as well as a park that offers a spectacular panoramas of Lake Michigan, the harbor and Milwaukee’s skyline, which looks marvelous from the bridge.

  

According to JSOnline, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson designated the site in 1998 and the Madison office of JJR drew up the master plan to make the kidney-shaped island into a usable space. In all but a few aspects they came up with a success, starting with the elegant foot bridge that takes you from a path south of Discovery World and into the actual park.

The silvery pedestrian bridge is "graceful and transparent" with a well-proportioned, open arch and a see-through railing decorated with stylized sunbursts, sailboats, kites and so on. Like the Calatrava this makes for numerous Kodak moments, rightfully so.

 

From the bridge a 3/4-mile path snakes around the park’s outer edges and links up with the Hank Aaron and Oak Leaf state trails. As a bicyclist I love the fact that this park finally connects the lakeshore bike paths north of Downtown with bike lanes through the Third Ward and southbound. It makes riding form the north shore to the south shore much easier and more pleasant.

This curvaceous path wasn’t designed solely for bicyclists. It’s also wide enough for hikers, rollerbladers, and even Segway-ers, all of which were in profusion on Saturday. Obviously, for anyone who loves to be outside biking, hiking, and enjoying the weather, the "Island Park" is ideal for an outdoor adventure or escape from the bustling city.

Aboard the Lake Express

Earlier this month, Eric and I finally got a break from the whirlwind of weddings, seasonal activities and events that kept us on the go for the weeks prior.

We booked passage on the Lake Express, the Milwaukee-Muskegon cross-lake high-speed ferry service, for a weekend getaway to Whitehall, Michigan’s adorable Cocoa Cottage Bed & Breakfast.

It was our first real trip together after nearly three years of dating – the other mini weekend jaunts were strictly businesses or wedding related and didn’t offer much in the romance department, just stress and a few hangovers.

Despite the nature of the trip, we learned from those few days away that we make a great pair. Neither of us allows a few bumps in the road to infringe on an enjoyable time together; after all, seldom do things go as planned, well, at least in my life.

Of course, Eric and I both knew that even though we meticulously planned this particular excursion, it was inevitable that we’d come across something unforeseen. But! Naturally, we’d keep our typical even and mild disposition and open mind so that nothing, in the end, no matter how big of a wrench it was, could wreck our time.

With that being said, our trip was wonderful, regardless of a few, uh, bumps in the water...

On only about three hours of sleep, I woke before the buzz of my alarm clock at 6 a.m. – it was purely adrenaline waking me – I was just so excited to get out of Milwaukee for the weekend.

After brushing my teeth and putting on a few quick coats of mascara, I woke Eric. We gathered up our suitcases, loaded the car and stopped at Alterra on the Lake for a cup of joe to go.

The morning was cool with a wintry chill in the air, dew had collected on Eric’s car and a light fog loomed over dips in the road as we made our way toward the Port of Milwaukee. About ten minutes later, we pulled into the terminal parking lot, which was filled with vehicles.

As we hauled our luggage over to the two men standing at the entrance, waiting to load guest’s bags onto their cart, the Lake Express pulled into the dock. It was gleaming from the beams of light coming from the light poles and reflecting off its enormous, glossy white hull – it was so magnificent!

Balzac at the Beach

Sure, Milwaukee is dubbed Brew City because of our prosperous brewing heritage, but while the city is often considered the nation’s watering hole, it’s evident that our palates can appreciate more than just yeast, barley and hops.

At Bradford Beach from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, Milwaukee’s prestigious Balzac Wine Bar hosted the Balzac at the Beach wine tasting, giving folks a great reason to hit the sand, have some fun, and perhaps learn a thing or two about another favorite libation: WINE!

At about 3:30 on Sunday, Eric and I ambled from my apartment to Milwaukee’s new, trendy lakefront venue. Upon arrival, my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the swarms of people packing the shoreline. It was really great to see a vivacious crowd breathing life into the once desolate sandy pad.

Even though this was the final Balzac tasting of the summer, the weather was still seasonably hot, although the gusts of air coming off of Lake Michigan made the temperatures feel much more temperate and comfortable.

We climbed the winding staircase that took us from the sand to the Bradford Beach House patio where we filed into a line of folks who were waiting to pay $25 for the evening’s tasting. While Eric and I also opted to purchase our tickets at the door, you can buy them in advance by phone at (414) 755-0099 or by stopping into Balzac Wine Bar, too.

As the line pressed on, we noticed a lot of people paying cash. Then, we soon discovered that it was cash only. Boy, do I hate when that happens. Who doesn’t take cards these days? Lucky for us, though, there’s an ATM on the premises, so we weren’t SOL after all.

Finally, we paid the fee and were given a yellow wristband along with a list of the vendors and their wine selection. Then, we made our way onto the expansive patio which was brimming with locals who were already swirling and sipping the various wines.