It's summer in Milwaukee, and you know what that means: farmers' markets, food trucks, and festivals! I love being here when the city comes to life. There are so many interesting people to meet and fun events to go to. This year, I'm trying to balance activities in the city and outside of it. Since it's possibly my last summer in Milwaukee (because who knows what I'll be doing after I graduate?), I want to soak up everything this area of Wisconsin has to offer.
I love being outside, so one of my favorite summer activities is hiking. Wisconsin has some beautiful state parks, many of which aren't too far from the city. It's nice to be able to spend a Saturday afternoon in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere after braving the hectic Summerfest grounds the night before. So far, I've been to Havenwoods and Kettle Moraine, but I'd like to check out new places as the summer goes on.
I've been enjoying buying produce from local farmers and making my own semi-healthy food. It's always fun to experiment with fresh ingredients to create new dishes, even if I decide not to make them again. I'm not the best cook, but I like the creative problem solving that has to occur when your green beans are almost at the point of over-ripeness.
A different kind of creativity manifests itself in the many concerts and festivals that Milwaukee hosts. Jazz in the Park and River Rhythms are some of my favorites, but nothing tops Summerfest. The crowds of people, the music blending together from the different stages, and the smells wafting off the food trucks make the experience both overwhelming and exhilarating.
This year, I saw my first Summerfest amphitheater show: Lady Gaga. It was one of the best concerts I've been to, and I'm not even a hardcore Little Monster. I was far from the stage, but I could see just about everything because I was above it all. It was almost a surreal experience gazing down at the tiny figure dancing in a bright green wig among set pieces and backup dancers that looked like they belonged on another planet. The music was great, I had room to dance and sing along, and the giant screens showed the details that I otherwise would have missed. I left the amphitheater completely energized (and fell asleep almost the moment I got home).
It's fun finding the balance between the city life I've spent three years getting used to and the outdoorsy life I've always loved. There are so many interesting and beautiful places in the world with all kinds of things to do. We often feel that we have to travel far away to find those places, but some of them can be found right in our own back yard!
