Two weekends ago was the 105th anniversary of Harley Davidson - known to regular readers as one of the local legendary brands that have made Milwaukee famous (or is that infamous...). Anyway, in the tradition of the 100th anniversary several hundred thousand bikers made there way into Milwaukee from all over the US, and the globe...and the city literally came alive to the sound of the roaring "potato, potato, potato" sound of a tidal wave of engines.
It was also our local US Labour (spelt Labor here) Day weekend - the last long weekend of the summer and the weather couldn't be better. And Wee P (nephew Patrick) flew in from Manhattan to visit with his Nana and chill out round the lake for a few days.
He arrived Friday night and Robbie and I picked him up then headed down to the Summerfest grounds to take in some of the Harley entertainment. For three nights they had taken over the music festival grounds on the waterfront, and had music on six different stages all night long. We arrived in time to see ZZ Top but first we had to park and wade through the city of bikes that was the many acres of parking...
Even the buses got in on the act...
As we walked into the grounds right in front of us was this Kiwi biker and his woman
We didn't get quite as close as we normally do...
But the sights were worth it...!
This seems a recurring theme....
As you can tell from this high waisted, pale demin "daddy" jeans, and the graying hair, the crowd was bursting with baby boomers...plenty out for a good time!...
The only two boys in the place not wearing Harley merch...(at least they're drinking the right beers for the event - last summer while at Miller we were planning Miller Lite's sponsorship of the event)
fun with lights...!
Paddy got lots of comments about his cool hats... this one went something along the lines of "you didn't ride in here on your Harley wearing THAT hat did ya?..."
There were even activities for the Harley moles...
Very important activities....
There were events and street parties all over the city, so we headed to our old neighborhood of Brady Street which was awash with bikes, bikers, booze, bands, and cruising...
Out of focus for a reason....
The next morning, we were up early for a boat ride post dog walking...While this shot looks like a wolf in front of the moon, it's actually Milesy early morning with the sun not far off the horizon - just shot into the sun...he was anxious to get out on the water.
our little piece of lake paradise
Later in the day we took Nellie and Paddy out for a look see and had lunch at a nearby waterfront bar. This is some of the rather unusually sedate action around Party Island where all of the boaties tie up their rather ugly lake pontoon boats for some drinking, partying, and general schenanigans
The next morning, we were up early for a boat ride post dog walking...While this shot looks like a wolf in front of the moon, it's actually Milesy early morning with the sun not far off the horizon - just shot into the sun...he was anxious to get out on the water.
our little piece of lake paradise
Later in the day we took Nellie and Paddy out for a look see and had lunch at a nearby waterfront bar. This is some of the rather unusually sedate action around Party Island where all of the boaties tie up their rather ugly lake pontoon boats for some drinking, partying, and general schenanigans
Aliota's Hideaway - our usual Friday night dive where we go for beers and hot dogs for Miles
Wee P and his nana
Nellie and her "baby"
Saturday night we joined forces with some of our neighbors for a parties on our co-joined front lawns...Robbie did the hot wings and corn, I made brownies and the neighbors supplied the rest - and we managed to consume a case of red bull and 2.5 bottles of vodka between 8 of us sitting around the firepit by the lakefront, until the wee small hours...the representative from NYC held his own! No photos - we were all too drunk!
Saturday night we joined forces with some of our neighbors for a parties on our co-joined front lawns...Robbie did the hot wings and corn, I made brownies and the neighbors supplied the rest - and we managed to consume a case of red bull and 2.5 bottles of vodka between 8 of us sitting around the firepit by the lakefront, until the wee small hours...the representative from NYC held his own! No photos - we were all too drunk!
Tuesday we farewelled Nellie at the airport as she headed back to LA for her final week in the US. So, it was back to a household of just the three of us after a couple of wonderful weeks of having house guests to stay. The lake was wonderful, sunny and calm and very few boaties out - just the three of us, a couple of beers, a bowl of water, and some wonderful summer memories...
