Visiting my beginnings- Day 5/6

9/6/2015

I am in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is where my family is from. I have come here many times over the years for family visits, weddings, birthdays, and sadly funerals. During all these trips it has been difficult to really get a feel for this city, but over the last 2 day I got to explore parts of it that I had never been to before. There is an entire downtown area id didn't know about and a river walk! Now I want to explore more and learn abut what makes the city tick. I even got to see Lake Michigan.. ok not so much see it but look out into its vast darkness during the evening. It is so interesting to think that is is what some people in the Midwest think of as beaches... I am so used to the ocean being the beach so wrapping my head around the lake as the main body of water is very interesting. Today I am going to go see the lake during the day! I can't wait to see it during the day and compare the two experiences. I will update this post later with some pictures from my trip there this afternoon.

Walking around Brady street with my family.

Checked out this great little record store. Found some great treasures here.

Check out the gargoyle!!

While up here my mom and I made the short trip up to Chicago to see family friends, a visit that was long over due. It was a great time seeing them and catching up on what everyone is doing. it is so nice to have family friends that no matter how long it has been you can just pick up right where you left off as if no time has passed. I got to reconnect with their daughter who is the same age as me and it is clear that if we had not moved away we would have been instant best friends! Our similarities are many and pretty darn funny. We both hate tomatoes and onions for one thing! We even made the short drive over to the old apartments where my parents lived when I was born and just 3 blocks down to their house! It was so great to see where my life began and wonder at how things would have been if we had stayed. The game of what ifs is not one i play very often but it was kinda fun to think about in this case. I am so glad I came on this trip and I cant wait to go explore the art fair that is going on downtown just down the street from the 90th birthday celebration brunch this afternoon! It is truly uplifting to get to spend quality time with ones family and get to know a place you have visited your whole life in a completely new light!