Join Waukesha resident Brien Lee and his blog, Sir Fido, as they explore the city and report on the interesting things they find.
Monday was rainy, so Tuesday morning I followed a cloud to the Milwaukee Road steam engine which was here for a visit. I was quite surprised because I thought I'd missed it after I saw it in last week's paper. I was able to sneak my bike past a parking attendant and right up to the train as it very slowly started pulling away. Huge clouds of the blackest coal smoke and a steam whistle that used to be a lot more common in the Menomonee Valley were two reasons so many picture takers gathered. The shiny black engine hauling matching black coal and water tenders pulled away from the Amtrak station to switch tracks then reversed to join with a modern diesel and ten or so passenger cars. The steam engine was going to pull the cars and the Amtrak engine all the way back to Minnesota. The diesel engine going along for the ride was going to provide electricity for the cars and help on hills if needed.
I couldn't wait until the end of the day Tuesday so I could try out my fancy new Weber grill, a gas / charcoal hybrid. Of course got out of work late, got home late but finally lit the coals and it's never been as easy. All I had to do was pour charcoal out, turn on the gas valve and push the igniter button. Am looking forward to a summer of much grilling.
