Editor's note: Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker has agreed to chronicle his experience during the fourth annual Executive's Ride, which began this weekend at the House of Harley-Davidson on Layton Ave.

Wednesday, June 27

6:30 a.m. - Did my first radio interview (via the cell phone) with a station in Rhinelander.  He spoke with me for 10 minutes and then with Dave Fantle from Visit Milwaukee who is traveling with us.  It will run on the news and on their website.

7:05 a.m. - Went on WOKY for my usual good news update and spoke about the ride.  Gregory and Meg are great.

7:15 a.m. - Went on live with a radio station in Park Falls to highlight our 10:30 visit.

7:30 a.m. - Depart from Duluth, MN.  After rain yesterday, the sky is pure blue this morning and around 75.  Perfect weather for riding.

As we head across northern Wisconsin, I am amazed by the brilliant blue bodies of water and the wonderful green of the trees.  It really is beautiful up north.

8:45 a.m. - Ashland is our next stop and we gas up.  A couple of our riders have family ties to the area and one has a visit from a cousin at this stop.  Photo is taken for the local paper.

10:30 am - As we pull in to Park Falls, the reporter from the local paper is at the city limits taking a picture of us riding into town (he gets us on the way out).  A wonderful couple who had been on our previous rides joins us here.  They moved from New Berlin to just outside Park Falls.

They ride in sidecars and today they have a World War II era former Soviet Union version.  It is complete with camouflage.  The reporter really likes the shot of all of us looking at the sidecar.

12:00 p.m. - The Northern Lights Harley-Davidson dealership is our next stop.  They are always good to us.  Last year, we met former Brewers great Jim Gantner at this visit.  Today, a great reporter from The Lakeland Times comes out to get some shots and a story.  Our appreciation plaque is up in their gathering room (very nice).

1:15 p.m. - We are met just outside of Eagle River by the head of the chamber in his car and by the guys who run the World Championship Snowmobile Racing Track who ride Harleys (of course).   They bring us into the track for a wonderful lunch. 

Later, we go next store for the museum and snowmobile hall of fame.  There are some amazing old snowmobiles inside.  They are also amazed to know that our Milwaukee County Park System has some trails.

Coming back to Eagle River is a treat as a couple of my pals from school at Marquette lived in town and I get updates from their mother each Christmas.  My friends’ father was once the head of the newspaper and put together the programs for the races. 

The reporter from the Vilas County paper and a reporter from the local radio station both came by for interviews and photos.  I will be back in the winter.

2:45 a.m. - The Hodag is our next stop.  Really, it is the Rhinelander visitors center, but the very LARGE Hodag out in front is the real attraction.  We love to have our picture taken as a group there each year. 

The country music radio station comes by and we talk about Summerfest - as well as the Brewers and other attractions (on the way over we heard about the Brew Crew’s big win).  The local newspaper reporter grabs some shots of me on the bike and of one of riders who brought his wife and his grand kids (in the sidecar) this year. 

4:30 a.m. - We pull in to gas up in Antigo.  The local radio station has a reporter over to talk about tourism and to get some sounds of the Harleys. 

We gas up right across the street from a restaurant called The Refuge.  The last time I had a meal there was with friends Mike Hunter and Mike Martin from Antigo.  Sadly, the last time I was in town was to attend Hunter’s funeral after he lost his battle with cancer.  He was the chairman of the Wisconsin State Fair board for many years and a great friend to Antigo and Wisconsin.

On the way over to Shawano, we traveled through Menominee County and the tribal lands.  This is a beautiful trip through wooded areas with many great curves.  We also saw a bunch of trees that were knocked out by a recent tornado. 

6:30 p.m. - We pull in to Doc’s Harley-Davidson.  Doc’s has to be one of the most unique dealerships in the world.  In addition to selling motorcycles, he has a car museum (with the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard) and a zoo (with actual alligators). 

Doc’s team has a big cook out set up for us and the food is excellent.
 
8:30 p.m. - Finally, I arrive along the river bank in downtown Green Bay.  Since my first TV appearance is at 5:15 am in from of my bike, I am ready to go to bed soon.  The excitement over the start of Summerfest and the good fortunes of the Brewers will keep me going.  

There was also a great story in the Green Bay Press Gazette about our ride that ran today with information on how people can join us on the way to Summerfest.  The link is below.