Day 8: It's pronounced Milly-wa-kay

"Is it me, or is it hot in here?"

When you can start your day with a traditional Ukrainian sausage, you do so, no questions asked. Our final recommended eatery (thanks again Marissa and Jason), is Kramarczuk's a market/restaurant specializing in traditional Eastern European foods. While not the end-all-be-all, this place was on Triple D, so it gets my stamp of approval already. We both get the Ukrainian sausage sandwich and share a plate of various varenyky, which are basically pierogi. Did I mention it's 10am?

The sausage is fantastic, but we agree the cheese on top is an unnecessary addition. The highlight of this meal however is the potato and cheese varenyky. Scott Lee, a pierogi connoisseur, states, "these are the best I've ever had" and "it's the skin that makes it good". We leave full, ready for the slow drive ahead.

Trouble brewing as the AC in the Benz is on it's last legs and humidity from the storms sets in. We resort to cracked windows and sunroof, which helps tremendously but let's the smell of Wisconsin (cow and beer) permeate the car. Madison comes slowly and the stop is appreciated as both of us are fading from the food and temperature. We had hoped to catch the end of the Germany-Spain match at the famous UW terrace but just missed it. The terrace is really impressive and something that every school should have, but this school still remains the impostor UW.

We power through the remaining hour and arrive in beautiful Milly-wa-kay as we'll been calling it which is Algonquin for the "good land". Tired and hot, we hang out in our room in the Hilton City Center, home of the first urban-indoor water park of its kind in America (Paradise Landing). It is sadly not available for our patronage during the week - I guess there is not a lot of demand for it from the business crowd. Our patience for dinner hurts us tonight; our first three choices are closed including the one we drive to that is suppose to be open but sends their kitchen staff home early due to slow business. They tell us the owner knows how to cook some of the simpler menu items, but we decline. We get bailed out by takeout from Maxie's, a stellar cajun/soul food spot with a persona I might incorporate in a future Glavin/Ham restaurant concept. For the first time this trip, our order greatly exceeds our appetite. Which is problematic because the food is delicious; gorging ensues. The banana cream pie is overkill and will undoubtedly set me back several days at the gym, assuming I actually go to the gym.

Pie, part ii.

The night is capped of with a viewing of Funny People, redeeming last Knight's movie (see stupid Hollywood producers, anyone can make a bad pun - it doesn't make it funny or necessary). Tomorrow is our last relaxing day until NYC, but I am stoked for the musical journey we are about to embark on.

Tomorrow's Agenda: 
Route: Milwaukee > Milwaukee
Estimated Distance: 0 miles
Estimated Time: 0 miles