Living the High Life

I have been negligent in my duty to inform. Sunday near two weeks ago now was National Ice Cream Day. This last Sunday, the fourth in July was National Parent’s Day. A Beer Garden has opened in Hoyt Park just off the mountain bike trails. I suspect the influence of dipsomaniacal forces.

Spectator friendly cycling events are plentiful this weekend. The WORS Sunburst Showdown is the most spectator friendly mountain bike event one can find. The La Crosse Speedway is holding more cycling events. I am also guilty of neglecting the Kenosha Velodrome in Washington Park. Regular events there run to the end of August. Metro Mountain Bikers completed five Time Trials at The Rock this year and I have not seen more scheduled.

Misao and I found ourselves both free this past Monday. Rather than go for a bike ride or spectate over our garden blooms we enjoyed some of the free amenities Milwaukee has to offer. First we went to The Domes. Three Bridges Park has created a great connection to The Domes from the Hank Aaron Trail. Afterwards we lived it up at the Mad Rooster Café. Then we went to Miller Brewery, just a few blocks from our home for their free tour. They say it is free but they charge you for the photos they imply are part of the tour; $20. And since we don’t drink we didn’t enjoy the free samples.

Then atop all this frivolous madness of decadent indulgences we attended the State Fair on its opening day as we could get in for $2 each with a donation of canned food. After driving ten minutes to find a free parking space we made it in before 4:00pm.

We came across a familiar name. We made our traditional rounds, enjoying the best tasting and priced food in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. We viewed all the animals, especially enjoying the chickens and rabbits. I could see myself raising rabbits. I just don’t know if I would have the stomach to harvest them.

Then we found our way to the cream puff building. The greatest joy of the fair is fasting moving lines. It gives one hope that goodness and virtue still exist in the world. We quickly attained our cream puffs. Then, shortly afterwards, I witnessed a site I could never have imagined or have wanted to. All four cream puff service windows were absent any customers. So goes the Obama economy.

Now the $20 question. (see rules in sidebar link) In honor of National Ice Cream Day, missed but not forgotten, what is my favorite flavor of ice cream in recent years? It includes fruit and you need the exact name per a specific brand. This could mean $40 to the charity of your choice if you can answer the doubler too.