First, I must tell you how much we miss Tanner and Sterling! We have talked to them several times and they have been telling us what a great time they have had so far. Sterling spent the first part of the week with Chase. The Bixby family has been so great to him and Sterling has enjoyed every minute catching up with one of his best friends. Sterling is now heading to his cousins house (Thanks Jana and Tim). Tanner started the week with Parker at the Burman's house. He always feels at home there and has had a blast. He then went to his cousins house and had a wonderful time playing with them all (Thanks Jana and Tim Krumal). I will have them give you a full recap when they get back. I need to thank Pop and Dee Dee for picking the boys up at the airport and helping to coordinate their time in Sac. The boys are looking forward to spending the weekend with them.
Well, after some more swimming and fishing we left Yogi and stayed the night outside of Milwaukee (SC). The next morning we headed into the city. Milwaukee is a beautiful city full of life. I have been here before on one of my GMS shows and was very excited to be back. We started the morning at the famous Milwaukee Art Museum. Just looking at the building that holds the amazing collection is breathtaking.
When we arrived at the welcome desk we were greeted by the nicest girl (Emily). She had also traveled around the US and gave us some wonderful tips as to where to go on our adventure. When you first enter the museum you are blown away by the uniqueness of building. The windows surrounded by numerous white beams in the lobby immediately grab your attention. It is spectacular but not as spectacular as the view from the windows. The shores of Lake Michigan.
Once inside the museum you are surrounded by the works of many famous artists including Claude Monet, Jules Bastien-LePage, Renoir, Edmund C. Tarbell and so many others. I really was amazed by the Egyptian, 30th dynasty mummy coffin. Peyton loved a few of the exhibits in the contemporary art section. One made you feel as if you were walking in a 3D mirror maze. It was hundreds of lighted neon cords hanging from the ceiling in a dark room. You got to walk thru them which was very exciting for Peyton. The other one was a box that you stepped into and you were surrounded by little light dots. You really felt like you were in a Star Wars movie. Peyton thought it was cool. Dave made his own art in the shadow room.
After the art museum Peyton wanted to go to the Discovery Museum which was located next door. This was very interactive and quite fun. It also had an aquarium inside it. One of our favorite exhibits was the bee hive room where we experienced a 4D presentation of the solar system. Peyton spent the entire time trying to grab the planets. Peyton was also really amazed by the bed of nails (I know... this just gives Good Sam ammo) and the aquarium. Peyton is very intrigued by fish right now. He would actually rather catch them than look at them. Although he did enjoy petting the sting rays and sturgeon, and feeling the star fish. 
Peyton also had fun pretending to be the captain of a ship.
After the museum we headed downtown for dinner. We had a nice dinner on the river at a place called Rock Bottom Brewery. We then headed to a place that I had been to last time I was in Milwaukee called the Safe House. This place is really cool. You have to know the passcode to get in. If not, you have to earn your entrance by doing something silly. Dave and his mohawk danced like a ballerina. It was quite cute. Once inside you realize that everyone in the restaurant can see you do the dance. The whole place is a tribute to spies with a bunch of hidden fun things for you to discover. We just walked thru, but Peyton thought it was really cool. Getting in was tough but getting out was even more fun. You go into a phone booth dial a number then get then secret code that when entered a secret door opens that takes you down stairs, through an old brick tunnel, then out to an alley. Pretty cool. We then headed back to the RV very exhausted but with lots of great memories.
Thought of the day: So, inside the museum there was a ton of incredible art. There was also some contemporary art that seriously looked as if Peyton did it (I honestly think Peyton could have done it better). I seriously don't get it! How can a canvas painted a solid color be considered such fine art that it is in a art museum? Do people really look at this art and say "Wow" this is amazing! What an artist! What technique! What artistic ability! I think it is like the Emperors New Clothes. People in the art industry want to look as if they can see things that the average Joe can't. I think they see the same scribble that the average Joe but act as if they are seeing a masterpiece so that others see them as masters. I could be wrong since I admit I am just an average Joe and maybe the naked king really is wearing clothes. I guess "art" really is in the eye of the beholder and it least it gives one hope that anyone can be a world class artist!
