Domination of Eiler Journal #14

Operation Darkflower 2006B

Domination of Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin

After the success of the recent Darkflower offensive into Lake Geneva-Wisconsin, the Domination of Eiler feels like another weekend trip. Starting in January, the Domination's alliances and treaty commitments will prevent even a three-night, two-day weekend until at least April. So it's best to get one in now.

As for the last offensive, the Domination force has chosen to drive only one hour away from EilerBase - and spend three nights there! Racine-Wisconsin has been chosen for occupation, based on really cheap accessibility to Milwaukee and Lake Michigan. This occupation will prove that no part of the Domination of Eiler is safe from patrol, not even the cheapest Wisconsin town between Milwaukee and Chicago..

Day 0: Saturday 9 December 2006

Departure from the District of Dominance at about 5:30, after the completion of the Tuesday - Saturday Domination work week. Super 8 motel of Racine (or in suburb Mount Pleasant, depending on whether you ask the local government or the U.S. Post Office) is cheapest online vendor in the region; it was occupied at about 6:30.

• Super 8 staff swore the nearby Marriott hotel would not serve dinner. The Marriott proved them wrong, with fancy hotel bar food (including a good Caesar salad) and basic draft beers. And a nearby Xmas party for amusement value. The Domination amused them too, because its trooper was dressed in Alpine hiking winter gear, right down to ice grip hiking stick (of Oneonta-New York) and Luftwaffe bomber jacket. No telling how far to hike for dinner.
• Jose's Blue Sombrero restaurant was also nearby, at least by the Alpine standards of the Domination Guard. Many kinds of draft beer were present, including two kinds of Dos Equis. Plus a full menu, though light on dessert. What, no sopapillas? Okay, a side-order enchilada sounds good, until real dessert comes along. Worth exploring for Sunday or Monday dinner.
• Country Kitchen chain restaurant is likely for dessert. That seems the kind of thing that something called "Country Kitchen" would be good for, assuming they stay open past 10 pm... No, not even past 8! Free coffee in room instead, courtesy of Super 8 lobby.
• At least one other restaurant is nearby. This neighborhood is not as full-service as Lake Geneva, but still seems survivable for use as a base of operations.

Day 1: Sunday 10 December 2006

Milwaukee attractions are largely not open on Sunday. As it turns out, Racine attractions are largely not open on Monday. So today's a pure Racine day.

Churches have been researched for Sunday morning goodness. But none of them put their schedules on the Web, and none are within walking distance. So, the Domination of Eiler will have to mount up on bicycle and take its chances. It's a bike day anyway; temperatures permit bicycle conquest!

However, late start. Super 8 motel had a steam of loud checkins from 4 am onward, when presumably the last bars in town had just closed. Oh, joy. Presumably this won't be a problem tomorrow. Still, the Domination forces slept in. Force under way at 10:15 am.

• At that hour, it's best to head straight for the nearest church. And so, the Domination patrol randomly found Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church having a Christmas cantata, with brand new pipe organ, 40-member choir, and 10-piece orchestra!
• Then, on to the lakeshore. Downtown Racine is pleasantly devoid of population today, but some shops and restaurants are still open. Ivanhoe Pub provided a quiet 1 p.m. lunch of soup and crab cakes, washed down with pints of Newcastle Brown Ale. At 3 pm the Packers start playing, which explains the 1 pm bar lull.
• The Racine Historical Society is open Sunday but not Monday! This being Sunday, the Society submitted... several displays on local industrialists plus a dead Space Shuttle astronaut, and exactly one display on the history of the town other than these famous locals. Racine's claim to fame was as a logging port, until the forests got logged out the first time.
• Nap time at hotel, followed by pumpkin cheesecake and New Glarus ale at the Summit restaurant. Packers playing, but bar still nearly empty. Fans reportedly have given up on the team, now that it's statistically eliminated from championship.

A full day of Domination. Hibernation sounds good now.

Day 2: Monday 11 December 2006

The Miller Brewery has a fitness program! See also: Miller Factory Tour Group Refreshment Stop

The Pabst Mansion has no beer, but it has lots of Xmas decor... no photographs inside, please.

Two Milwaukee attractions are targeted: the Miller brewery tour, and the Frederick Pabst historic mansion. Domination force doctrine is, beer first, museum second, beer third. Therefore, despite opposition from highway construction barricades, expeditionary force on Miller site at 10 am.

• First tour, 10:30. Free admission. Standard brewery tour, plus an exhibit of old beer bottles in an underground chamber. Tour guides Jennifer and Mallory were most congenial.
• Free samples afterward, of course. They give three 12-ouncers - with choices including several imports! The Domination thereby found that Tyskie beer from Poland is milder than Pilsner Urquell from Czech Republic - and both are much better than the MGD Light from Milwaukee. Sorry, Miller.
• Gift shop was patrolled. Some small trophies including a "Miller Adopt-a-Soldier" bandana were taken.

Then deployed downtown to see the Pabst Mansion.

• $9 admission - but the Domination had the foresight to bring a half-price coupon from the web site.
• Self-guided tour, with volunteers ready to answer questions. It's like the best of both worlds.
• Each room had extensive Xmas decor, courtesy of many small-business Xmas decor vendors. Business cards readily available. Photographs not allowed, though.

Subjugation of these targets required automobile excursion around downtown Milwaukee's Interstate 43 - 94 - 794 interchange - many of whose on and off ramps were closed. Hijinks ensued throughout the day.

Having had enough of Milwaukee driving, the Domnation force retreated to Racine for lunch. There, Charcoal Grill cooperatively provided a prime rib sandwich and the Leinenkugel Apple Spice beer of Wisconsin. Best of trip, and near hotel too. A nap quickly ensued.

Dining options limited, due to a combination of rain and busy cab drivers. (Domination force doctrine prohibits driving for dinner on mission days.) Most bars near hotel either highly crowded due to presence of good draft beer, or highly deserted due to lack of same. In the end, Newcastle Brown Ale and chocolate cake at Summit restaurant.

And that's about it.

Day 3: Tuesday 12 December 2006

Rapid deployment to the District of Dominance, to start the work day at 1 pm. And, for inexplicable reasons, take a nap first. Hey, why not nap time every day?

The operation shows these signs of success:

• Targets of historic and amusement value subdued. In Milwaukee, the brewers are historical and amusing figures.
• Some bike riding done.
• Much fine beer consumed. Wisconsin is always good for that.
• One trophy taken.
• Some pulpy science fiction read.
• Some polishing done on the Domination's fiction-blog November episode. Nothing new for December yet, but the month is still young.

The Domination will admit to these operational shortcomings, though:

• No sticks conquered.

But Domination of Eiler forces return triumphant as ever, all praise to the One Maker.

(signed) Dominator S. Eiler, Fist of the One Maker, for the Domination of Eiler.