The Great American Summer Road Trip: Chicago Morning + Milwaukee + Madison

Hey there. We just passed the 1,000 mile mark, and are on our 8th state, currently holed up in a starbucks in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the University of Wisconsin. We tried to get into the local AEPi house (pictured below) as both Jim and I are brothers. How did we get there from Chicago (where you and I last left off)? Read on to find out...

(Lights weren't on, nobody was home, although the place was massive)

We started off in Chicago at Joe's house, where Joe and I (and his dog Onyx, pictured below) woke up and went on a run around the Chicago 'burbs. When we returned, his mom Sharon has prepared a massive meal for us, which we gobbled down. Then Jim and I hit up a local mechanic for a quick windshield wiper fluid refill, before heading to Lou Malnati's for some delicious Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Pics below:

(Sharon gets carried away. Eggs on toast, banana nut pancakes, apple and chocolate donuts, orange juice, and maple syrup for days.)

(My running partners, Joe and Onyx - pictured right to left)

(Lou's deep dish pie with Sausage and Mushrooms. Delish.)

(Allegedly the best in Chicago. Not that I have anything to compare it to, but I wouldn't be surprised.)

(Random sign at Lou's for the Champagne of Beers. Amusing because of the Harlem Globetrotter perched on the moon.)

We then set off for Milwaukee, where we arrived and went on the tour at the Lakefront brewery, led by the eccentric brother of the founder. Our tour guide was busy swinging mallets and lifting kegs, but agreed to mug with me behind the bar. After picking up a t-shirt, I headed to Kopp's Frozed Custard, and had a Tiramasu frozen custard (don't ask me what the difference is between frozen custard and ice cream), which was the most delicious ice cream-like thing I've ever eaten. Not kidding. It even de-throned the Spumoni ice cream from Spumoni Gardens out in Brooklyn. After the cone and a surprisingly robust three dollar cheeseburger, we hopped in the car and headed to Madison, where we are about to go sandwich hunting, as we plan to hop in the car and continue west, hopefully getting across the state and into South Dakota before pitting for the night. By the way, you can not walk 2 feet in Milwaukee without tripping over a bottle or can of Miller Lite (which is brewed there). We kinda found the miller light mecca in the back of the local beer store...

Here's some good news. Thanks to our surprisingly productive first day, we think we can get back on schedule and make it to Seattle by Thursday night. Awesome. Rest of today's pics are pasted below. Until next time...