Busy, Busy Weekend

Mike had a paper to present at a conference in Milwaukee. It turned out to be cheaper to drive, so we made the trip a dry run for our Nova Scotia trip. Good thing, too, because we forgot some vital items, including our cameras. Thankfully, we had our trusty cell phones (what did people do in the old days? ;) ). We had a very busy weekend! We trekked out on the 94 toward Chicago and Milwaukee. Along the way, we came across The Chocolate Garden with its decadent truffles in Michigan's wine country. Of course, we had to have a sample (of the chocolate). . . .
It so happened that the same weekend Mike's conference was being held in Milwaukee, another convention was being held in Chicago: Brickworld 2010!
Pictures don't do justice to the detail of many of the models on display.
Neuschwanstein Castle.
A Lego Victorian dollhouse.
Landon walked around with his eyes bugging out of his head. He kept talking about all the Lego displays and train sets.
This American flag was built using clear Lego bricks and had a light showing behind it.
The chess board and all the players are built with Lego bricks, and the players actually move by remote control.
People built detailed mosaics of scenes, people, and famous paintings.
All of these buildings were recreated in minute detail.
Mont Saint-Michel. OK, so Mike geeked out on the little brick works of art. But seriously, could you create this stuff?
After Brickworld, we went to a Chicagoland institution, Superdawg (Well, maybe "Just OK" Dawg. Apologies to die hard fans). Maybe we were just hot and tired, but the experience didn't live up to the hype. However, on our way back, we did go to two places whose hype was well deserved: Giordano's deep dish pizza and Garrett Popcorn. Oh, Chicago and your tempting gourmet treats!
So, you'd think we would feel Lego'd out after Brickworld, but no! Chicago also has a Legoland Discovery Center. It's kind of like Legoland, but smaller and indoors.
The Chicago skyline in Lego.
Landon having a blast riding with Papi on the flying bat-winged cars.
Building a micro version of the (former) Sears Tower with Mami.
"Ah, come on! There's more to see! Wake up!"
"Get me outta this lion!"
We finally did make it to Milwaukee, where we drove around looking at many fun and beautiful houses near the lake. We even made it to Northpoint Custard on Bradford Beach on Milwaukee's north side. It's about as close to Cali as we've seen in the Midwest.
Such a cute little man! Landon loved running along the beach kicking his ball and playing catch with us.
Looking at shells with Mami.
We finally had to head home. On the way we ended up near the Jelly Belly Factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI. We took the tour. After all, what's a road trip without wild side trips! We ended up back home around midnight Tuesday morning. Oh, yeah--and Mike did fine on his presentation. . . .