In a Highway State of Mind

As Far As It Goes

Well, we've reached Evanston/Chicago, as far east as we will be able to make it on this trip. It's been pretty low-key here so far, hanging out with Hannah and Charlotte. After Medill Cherubs Journalism Boot Camp, Hannah mostly sleeps, with occasional breaks to eat and to see her fav bands at Lollapolooza.

Charlotte alternates between being her sweet self and appearing on stage in dowdy outfits for her roles as the Mayor's Wife and Mrs. Merkle in Northwestern's summer production of Bye Bye Birdie. The rest of the Simon clan arrive today for a reunion of sorts in celebration of a purple summer.

Big Reasons to Love Road Trips Through America

Milwaukee Adventures

Time to hit the road again: This time, we decided on Milwaukee -- a good place to check out the beer scene, do laundry and re-acclimate to civilization as we contemplate our final destination. On the way, however, John decided to go off the map. This decision necessitated a consultation with an official from the Wisconsin DOT to steer us in the right direction.

Our first stop in Milwaukee: Lakefront Brewery, which brews in strict accordance to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. Six bucks gets you a 45-minute tour (very interesting), four beers (very tasty), and two souvenir glasses (the kind you drink from, not the kind you need to see with after drinking the four beers).

We love downtown Milwaukee's Historic Third District, where we are staying in the old Gimbel's Department Store, now converted to a Marriott. Today, we got a glimpse of a forthcoming movie being filmed here called No God, No Master and ate lunch at the historic Public Market.


Riverwalk is a great place to get some exercise, catch the Milwaukee nightlife and, of course, drink more beer.