I've spent a lot of time in Milwaukee over the past few weeks, and I think it's time to give you a glimpse of Waukesha, my hometown. It's a small-ish city (about 65,000, but many of that is from subdivisions pretty far from downtown), but it's growing and definitely has its own charm. In the 1800s and early 1900s, it was famous for its springs, and many believed the water could cure cancer. (You'll be getting a full history lesson someday, believe me. I'm really fascinated with all the stories behind this little city.)
Quickly, one of my favorite mini-stories...
There's a building up the hill by my house that currently houses a missionary school (New Tribes Bible Institute) which was a hotel in the early 1900s. When Prohibition was passed, a tunnel under the hotel (that also could be accessed from the side of the hill) was used to make, store, and distribute liquor. I don't know what it is, but I've always been fascinated by that. Maybe it's because the tunnel is still there...
The tunnel! (Source: http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q1RGLzIwMDkvMDcvMDgjQXIwMDEwNA==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom)
The old hotel, and current bible school/dangerous sledding hill. (Source: http://www.laniertribe.com/laniertribe/Our_Training.html)
On to modern Waukesha. Isn't this the cutest coffee shop you've ever seen?
It's called Café de Arts, and it's owned by this really friendly Turkish guy who roasts all the coffee in the shop. Also, he lives above it, so they're open whenever he feels like it.
Off-topic, but this is our bus station. I love that sculpture in the fountain.
One of the main features of Waukesha is the Fox River. "Waukesha" is Chippewa for "little fox", and there are a ton of foxes in the area. (And albino squirrels...I don't know how they don't get killed, they're so easy to spot...)
There are some pretty awesome bear statues by the river, too. The statues depict a mother bear teaching her young how to fish and are called "Life Lessons". (This is Sarah, and Katherine's hair because I'm too lazy to crop.)
We saw some adorable baby raccoons, too. They're only cute for so long, and then they get mean...
Numerous Café de Arts trips have been taken in the past week. On this particular one, it was pouring out, and we ran over there. The door was locked, but the guy let us in and sold us coffee. Before we got there, he was just sitting there, smoking a cigar, drinking wine, and talking to friends. Again, the magic of living at your small business.
We took shelter from the storm on the side porch.
The floor was painted! Also, moccasins!
There have also been quite a few walks around the river. I love the way these fountains light up at night.
On a completely different topic, here are some pictures of my adorably retro kitchen! I was going to write a whole story about tea here, but I have finished the tea and shall be going to bed shortly...I have my last day of driver's ed tomorrow morning.
His eyes and tail barely even tick anymore. It's so sad.
My kitchen is very yellow, and I love it.
"Bread and water can so easily become toast and tea." When I was little, I used to always comment that it could even more easily become soggy bread.
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