The second day of our multi-state road trip was slightly slower paced than yesterday – only in that we had fewer Suite Stops to complete; it was still very, very full of activity and driving. But it was a good thing we didn’t have to hit so many stops, since we didn’t get on the road until 10:30 a.m. That’s what happens when you arrive at your hotel at 10:30 p.m. the night prior and you’ve promised the kids they can swim in the hotel pool. Not to mention, this mama desperately needed some exercise and time alone.
Awesome recreation path near Country Inn & Suites Madison West.
While my husband ran on the treadmill and rode the bike at the small fitness room at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Madison West, I saw sun shining this morning and knew I had to be out in decent weather. Friendly Rob at the front desk explained there was a recreation path just a stone’s throw from the front door of the hotel. I followed it northeast to find an oasis of green in the middle of suburban Madison – and I loved it! And it appears so many local residents do, as well: I saw loads of cyclists, runners, inline skaters and birdwatchers along the trail.
In front of Lake Monona, Madison, Wisconsin
Our first Suite Stop brought us to downtown Madison, Wisconsin, which I found absolutely charming. We parked close to the State Capitol and walked to either side of the isthmus to snap photos of the “twin lakes” on either side of this slim piece of land. We found pretty tree-lined streets and big old houses –- some used as fraternities for the University of Wisconsin, also nearby.
Next up, a drive to Milwaukee, which I also found surprisingly cool – I wish we hard more time to spend in this cosmopolitan city on Lake Michigan (the kids spied some paddleboats at one local, grassy park). But they did get to run around a bit with Sharlene Earnshaw’s kids – in a park next to the Northern Lighthouse. Yep, we ran into our fellow 1K Country Adventure participant here, and that was great fun and a true highlight of our day.
North Point Lighthouse, Milwaukee
After snapping a photo of both families in front of the lighthouse, we explored a bit – Sharlene’s husband actually pointed out this great trail with wooden steps leading down into the woods – of course we had to explore it. After all, that’s how my family rolls. First, we love to be out in nature. Second, we like to see where the unknown path leads!
The kids led the way through all sorts of lush foliage down to the shore of Lake Michigan, where we found loads of sunbathers in bikinis – though it was only about 66 degrees! I get it, though. We’re all happy for summer-like weather, even if it’s not truly steamy.
Cute kids making their way down slippery steps.
And that’s been another highlight of our day – the fabulous sunny, dry weather and moderate temperatures we encountered. Delightful!
Our next stop: the Windy City of Chicago, where we were told to photograph the Cloud Gate mirrored sculpture in Millennium Park. Unfortunately, I screwed up and put the wrong address in our Avis rental car’s GPS, so that took us about 10 miles out of the way. And late-afternoon traffic was awful; finding a parking spot was a pain. Once we finally found the incredible sculpture, we snapped a quick photo and high-tailed it to dinner – Giordanos for some oh-so-good “famous Chicago-style stuffed pizza.” Loved the flaky crust!
Can you see me in the reflection, taking the photo?
After that, though it was about 8 p.m. and all we wanted to do was get to our hotel room – the Country Inn & Suites Naperville – I couldn’t leave Chicago without stopping by Mario’s Italian Lemonade in the University of Chicago neighborhood. I actually wrote about the eatery, sight unseen, for an Every Day with Rachael Ray article last year. I’m so glad we made the detour to go to this institution,in business since the 1950s. The slushy Italian ices, created in and served out of a little green, white and red shack, were so yummy – with finely crushed ice and real chunks of fruit. Of the four flavors we got, pina colada was my favorite!
Mario's Italian Lemonade stand, a Chicago institution for more than 50 years.
And now we’re settled into the Country Inn & Suites Naiperville, hoping for a great night’s sleep, because I’m pretty sure tomorrow’s agenda will be filled with more Suite Stops than today. Which way will we go? I’m guessing at least one stop will have something to do with Abraham Lincoln. Ultimately, though, where we’ll end up is anyone’s guess! And I do hope you’ll chime in with your opinion – make a guess and if you’re right, you’ll earn bragging rights and a cookbook I’ve picked up along the way during this wild road-trip adventure!
Last night’s hotel: Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Madison West
I wish I could tell you how comfortable the beds were in our double-queen suite at this property, but I took the sofabed in the living room last night, since I was up ridiculously late blogging and answering emails (a freelance writer’s work is never done). Still, I sure appreciated the space and the ability to work without resorting to sitting in the floor in the bathroom, so as not to disturb the rest of my family. (Thank you, too, Country Inns & Suites for always providing free wi-fi at all of your hotels! Why the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and other “fancy” hotel brands don’t jump on this bandwagon, I don’t understand.)
The hotel has the same lovely, cozy feel as our hotel did in Minneapolis. It’s much smaller than the Mall of America hotel in Bloomington, but with fewer guests, I liked not having to jostle for food and cutlery in the breakfast room this morning (of course, that could be because we got down to breakfast right at 9:30 a.m., as it was supposed to shut down). Alas, more Styrofoam at this hotel, but I’ll give props to the yummy raisin bran muffins!
Day 2 Suite Stops:
- Lake Mendota and Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin
- North Point Lighthouse, Milwaukee
- Cloud Gate sculpture, Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois
- Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Naperville
Gear Spotlight: Children’s Travel Journal
This travel journal just for kids by Ann Banks makes it easy for them to record their trip, with pages like “First Impressions” “Food and Restaurants” and “Best Day/Worst Day.” Plenty of blank pages for “free writing,” too. I like the sturdy cardstock pages and the clear plastic cover that helps preserve vacation memories. It has an international bent — one page covers exchanging money — but it surely can be adapted to just about any trip. My daughter is keeping track of the names of the hotels and our itinerary for the 1K Country Adventure. It’s cute!
Previous posts:
- Day 1, 1 K Country Adventure: Minnesota to Wisconsin
- Pre-Trip Excitement
- My Family is Going on a Mystery Road Trip
Disclosure: A significant portion of the costs and resources for my family’s participation in the 1K Country Adventure was provided by Country Inns & Suites by Carlson.
So excited to see where day 3 will take you! It has been really fun to follow along on your adventure.
I love this Country!
~Emily
You are certainly covering a lot of ground! I’m imagining the kids are having a blast. Such fun following you on your adventure. Your blogging makes me feel like I’m there
I have to chime in on the free internet as that is one of my biggest pet peeves! Especially for more upscale (read: expensive) hotels to charge for it while the more budget conscious hotels don’t… It must be to get more $$ from the business traveler,but it is annoying for those of us who don’t have a corporate card.
wow you sure pack it in. there’s so much to see in milwaukee, like the discover center or that cool art museum next to it with the wings. and YAY for chicago, not for the heinous traffic. ugh, sorry!
I think Chicago is my favorite city in the world. Glad you had a stop through there.
I just saw my picture on yesterday’s post. Weren’t we glamorous:)
I can explain why (most) large hotels charge for internet and small hotels do not. Because the technology to offer it in large hotels is VERY expensive, on an ongoing basis. In some small hotels, they can put in just a few wireless routers (that have to be replaced every 3-5 years). In a large hotel, they need miles of wiring and/or scores or even hundreds of routers to cover multiple floors and winding corridors. They could build it into the room rate so everyone helps to pay for it, or just charge the people who use it. I agree that it’s annoying – but it’s a real expense, and hotels are a real business with a surprisingly small profit margin.
Not defending – just explaining.
[...] sponsored by Country Inns and Suites. If your route takes you the same way, be sure to read about more pit stops on this day of her journey! You can find Double the Adventure’s take on the day at [...]
wonderful lighthouse
very informative