What you DON'T know about Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

I recently spent a couple days in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.  I had never been there and didn't really know what to expect.  The area I was in (Cudahy, which is South of downtown) didn't seem much different from other places I had been around the country and  once I got away from the airport, had a nice, small-town feel. I thought I would put some shots from the area showing the non-Harley part of the city, Lake Michigan and the presence of California gangs in the area!  

I walked down Layton from my hotel to Lake Michigan.  Didn't know how far it was going to be.  Incidentally, it ended up being an 8 mile round trip!!!!

Yep, THAT'S the name.........

I passed several small bars and pubs.

Don't see this everyday, beer just hanging out on the sidewalk with nobody around!

This is indicative of most of the architecture in the area.

This was a long 4 miles to Lake Michigan!

Couch anyone?

Path down to the lake.

Lake Michigan (click on this shot to maximize it for the full effect.)

The biggest surprise of my trip was finding this graffiti on the concrete piers on the lake.  "NS X4" indicates the presence of Northern California gang members in the area.  Depending on the gang member, it likely means "Norteno/North Side 14" or "Northern Structure 14."   The next day, I found out the local police didn't know about this graffiti or the presence of these gang members in the area. 

More Norteno Graffiti.

"SUR BK" = Sureno Blood Killer.  

All in all, a nice couple hours walking around in the Milwaukee area. 

An Afternoon at Venice Beach

Had the chance to visit Venice Beach the other day.  I got a couple shots to hopefully give a broad overview of the area. 

Venice is a several mile long stretch of a beachfront neighborhood on LA’s Westside. The area is  notable for several things including: a 2.5 mile long concrete Boardwalk; great surf; Muscle Beach; the eclectic nature of its visitors and residents, and skateboards. 

In years gone by though, it hosted several amusement parks and canal waterways fashioned after those in its namesake Italian city.  Actually, a few of these canals remain although they are nothing like they were in the 1920’s.  

The area is full of street performers.  This one was into broken glass, including glass being broken over his head!

Even the trashcans were fancy!!!!!!

This guy was very talented.  What he was doing playing for tips on the beach wasn't clear, until he was done and started walking around with his bucket asking for tips.  Dude was CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

Venice has a long musical history.  The Doors were formed in 1965 after Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek met at Venice Beach. 

Next Jim Morrison? 

And..... Next Ray Manzarek........

From the smells along the beach, there were A LOT of these "Medical Evaluations" going on!!!!!

There is a great skate park on the beach and it was interesting to note that although there is graffiti  everywhere else, there was none here.

I like the shadow which was captured entirely by accident. 

If I could have spent more time here, I could have tried for some more action shots.  I only took a few pics and now I wish I had stayed longer. 

They let artists get a permit and come paint in this area.

Um, for medical purposes only.......

The area is jam-packed full of interesting people.

I figured I would see some gang-related ink.  Saw some Sureno stuff but didn't get any good pics.  I did come across this Juggalo, which ARE gang members for anyone who may think they aren't.

Sureno

I spared you the pictures of the guys in thongs working out!!!!!!

The Governator’s acting career began after becoming a regular bodybuilder at Venice's famous Gold's Gym.

Thanks for looking!  Remember, clicking on any of the shots will being them up in a bigger window.....