I’ve been officially called out for not blogging in a while. Yes. Correct. Bad Blogger. I do have many things to say, so if there was just some way to give someone all my words, and the pictures that go with those words, and then that person could make everything look good on the internet, imbed all the links, insert the tags and la de da, that would be great. Technology is not my strong suit and time is not my friend.
But in the mean time, let’s talk about The Hop. What? You haven’t ridden it yet? Shame on you. It’s free! (Thank you Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. And also thank you to the creators of the Hop for not going TO Poto on the route. That would be a huge problem for me.)
I started out with much animosity like many people. Mostly because I tripped over the tracks and ate s%*# in the middle of the road twice in two weeks while taking my dog out. The tracks and station are right next to the building where I live.
BUT, in true bandwagon girl fashion, I ride the s#*% out of that thing. I’m taking this living downtown thing seriously. I Hop to meetings, I Hop to brunch, I Hop to happy hour. I Hop when it rains, I Hop when it snows, I Hop when the weather is glorious. I Hop all the stops, and I Hop one stop. I Hop. You Hop. I Hop you Hop we Hop.
Kids love to Hop! Some parents just take their kids on and loop around a bunch of times so they can relax and know that their kid is entertained. It’s a shelter from the storm and a nice nap zone for our citizens who don’t have homes. It’s a way to get from the Historic Third Ward to Brady Street without taking an Uber or Lyft. And by golly, when this thing starts expanding… we are going to really take this city by storm.
I’ve met interesting characters, showed off my city to my out of town guests, and rediscovered bars I had forgot about but love. Aka, hellooooo Elsas on the Park you gem of a place. Serving fine dining until 1am, the best roasted veggies in the city, and blue cheese stuffed olives in the best martini you’ve ever had. More on that place later, because I have a LOT to say about it. Other favorite Hop Stops: The Cafe on the Plaza for brunch, The Milwaukee Public Market (obviously), Chipotle for some din din, Balzac for the best happy hour in Milwaukee and more! I should really make a really good list for ya’ll of places to go within a few blocks walking distance of The Hop. Later. Or ask me for a recommendation. You don’t get a body like this without really knowing your restaurants.
I’ve saved tons of money on parking and rideshares. I’ve added another adventure to my infamous “Tour o’ Milwaukee”. You may think it doesn’t go far, and I will admit I thought the same thing myself at first. But it also makes places that weren’t walkable to someone like me who lives down here now totally walkable. Last night I discovered that I could get to JoCats with a Hop and a 7 minute walk. Not that I ever want to go to JoCats again. But Balzac… I’m coming for you now!
It’s free for now so please just come down here and do a loop. 20ish minutes gets you around once. Start at the Amtrak Milwaukee Intermodal Train Station. When the loop ends at Burns Commons Park, the driver exits his little driver room, walks through the middle of the train to the other end and drives back to the train station. It’s like a reversible car! Or park wherever you want and get on wherever you want. Choose your own adventure. Scared to Hop alone? I’ll Hop which ya!
I’ve heard it will be $1 to ride in the future, but also I think that’s too expensive for people like me who use it all the time. Maybe they will have a monthly pass or something which would make way more sense for us down townies. Whatever they do, I hope it continues to get used, because my Milwaukee deserves it.