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Planning for this meetup was a bit limited, and several frequent previous attendees were definitely missed, like @WICon, @GLDIII, & @LidensCheng. However, we got underway at Germanfest on Friday, July 25th, in the evening. The setting sun brought some relief from the punishing heat, which would dog us all throughout the weekend. @KatieKoppelman and I met up, each of us bringing friends of ours to the meetup, before finding our way over to @HankRhody, @MnemonicDevice, @mattbalzaler, & @TheRightNurse, along with one of their friends. We had a wide-ranging conversation while waiting for fireworks that failed to appear before being distracted by voXXclub, a German Boy Band singing classic rock and pop anthems in German. They had awesome dance moves.
The next day started with a quick run to the mad science and crazy crafting store American Science & Surplus. (This 85+ year-old company is currently trying to raise money to move its warehouse and stay open.) After that, it was on to the meetup proper, over at Mader's German restaurant. This is probably the classiest place we've ever had a meetup, and the food was excellent.
After lunch at Mader's, everyone went to their own destinations. Katie and I had heard about the Milwaukee Public Museum at the Cultural Tent at Germanfest, so we decided to pay a visit. It's quite a classy museum, with a little something for everyone. The butterfly garden is not to be missed. After that, there was a plan to visit the Safehouse spy-themed bar, but it's by reservation only. Everyone found their way to their own restaurant. I ate at Doc's BBQ, near the museum.
The next morning, everyone trickled into Germanfest in the sweltering heat. The plan was to see the Dachshund Races, but not only were they on the opposite end of the venue, but the crowd was insane. Some were able to see the races, but many of us just chatted in the shade, with @SamRhody rounding out Team RhodyBal. Unlike previous events, we just wound down and headed our separate ways.
Discussion (8)
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As it turns out wiener dogs run pretty close to the ground. Makes it kind of hard to catch a glimpse over the backs of the crowd. This being the first year we'd tried to catch the running of the sausages none of us had any idea the crowd would be that full. Assuming anyone attempts it again I'd recommend getting there much earlier than any of us did and stake out a spot in the bleachers.
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As Johnny Carson's audience would ask, "How hot was it?"
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It was so hot the dachshunds came pre-cooked.
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My sincere apologies. We had been working on the replacement of an emergency generator at work and had a setback that delayed comissioning by a week and shutting down power to cutover at 4am each day - Germanfest Weekend. I had to work Saturday & Sunday.
Glad you made it to Maders - nice 'Old Wold' setting, food is good as well. Next year I'll be back.
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I'm working on my knot tying to prepare for another voyage on the Ricochet Yacht.
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