On our trip, few stops were as delightful and surprising (and delightfully surprising) as Milwaukee.  Our friend Pete Flaig is from Milwaukee and he LOVES that city.  Now I know why.  Longtime readers know that our friend Pete is a geologist, but he's also a professional photographer.  Many of you have surfed his site through mine (which I appreciate) so you know that he's a wonderful photographer.  His mentor, Dave Bernacchi, lives in Milwaukee and Pete sent us to find him at their favorite watering hole, The Swingin' Door.  Please click through to Dave's blog (linked above) to see a photo of me and Josh at the Swingin' Door, but also take time to look at Dave's other photos.  He's AMAZING, truly, and the only thing I wanted to do in Milwaukee was meet Dave.  That he spent an entire evening entertaining me was icing on the cake.  I adore him!

When Josh and I walked into the bar looking for Dave there were three people in the place: the bartender, Jeff and two guys, one of whom was wearing a very expensive camera around his neck.  I knew it had to be Dave, but I asked anyway: "We're looking for Dave Bernacchi, do you know him?"  The three guys exchanged looks the way three guys in a bar always exchange looks when a stranger comes in asking for them, but before they could answer I said, "Pete Flaig sent us from Fairbanks, Alaska."  Clearly-Dave-Bernacchi's jaw dropped slowly, wide open.  Without acknowledging his identity he asked, over and over (WARNING: swears!): "Are you fucking kidding me?"  That alone was one of the top moments of my entire trip.

We sat down and had a few beers, got acquainted a bit and Dave offered to bring us along to a post-wedding reception (the ceremony had been a month or so ago) while he took a few pictures and shook a few hands.  We agreed, happily, and he took us around the corner and up a block or two.  We'd been at the party approximately 90 seconds when an older man (the father of the bride) keeled over and had a heart attack.  Many of us called 911 on our cell phones and as the ambulance crew arrived, Dave, Josh, and I took our leave.

Dave brought us to his art studio in a building where he has space for many artists who work there.  We met some very talented people and saw some incredible pottery, paintings, and of course, photography.

I've updated the FL1/Snowcones Interactive Map and the Flickr photostream.  Next up: Chicago, and then homeward!  Thanks to all who have ridden along in the tiny backseat of the Yaris for this ride.  It was the (pre-)honeymoon of a lifetime.