Madison, WI

Madison, WI June 23-July 5

Our caravan led us into the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on June 23rd. The temperature was a very warm 96* as we set up trailers for the ten day stay, and remained that hot for several days. Needless to say, we were very uncomfortable as we only had 3 amp electric, and could not use our AC. But the day after we bought a 12 volt fan, it turned much cooler. So we could complain about the hot and the cold in the same week! We enjoyed the Rally workshops, vendors and activities. The evening entertainment was super, and I got to sew for two whole days!!!!
While in Madison, we visited some really fun places. The House on the Rock being the most bizarre!!!! Alex Jorden, a former taxi driver and construction worker built the 14 room house, and added many buildings which house his most “unbelievable” collection of items from around the world. Collections of firearms, cigarette lighters, dolls and doll houses, music machines, Tiffany lamps, mythical fanciful creatures adorning the world’s largest carousel, Street of yesterday, Heritage of the Sea, Tribute to Nostalgia, Spirit of Aviation, and much, much, much more! The Infinity Room juts from his house 218 feet out over the Wyoming Valley. We walked out almost to the end of the point and looked down into the valley through a clear glass floor! I just about lost my tummy on that one! It is truly weird, bizarre, strange, and all of the above! It makes Les’s “Tacky” collection look a little pale in comparison! (Don’t get any ideas, Lester!!!)
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin was very impressive, and still in use today as an architectural school. It was quite interesting, and the students were actually working as we were touring. While enrolled, the students agree to a certain lifestyle involving many duties and requirements. It was interesting to see Wright’s designs, and learn how he arrived at his creations.
We visited Little Norway, which is an early Norwegian settlement, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of our busy world. We didn’t tour it, but the shop was fun!! Oh well!! Mount Horab, WI is the home of the “Mustard Festival” which takes place in August. The Mustard Museum contained “all you have ever wanted to learn about mustard” and much more. Mustards of all colors and tastes were available to purchase. Lester purchased a “one of a kind electronic” YODELLING PICKLE! Do we need to add a whole room on to our house for a new collection?????
The Wisconsin Dells is a very pretty area which has become very “touristy” with many water parks and family friendly attractions. However, we did take a cruise on the Wisconsin River as it wound its way through some very interesting rock formations that took millions of years to develop. Witches Gulch, and the “Jumping Dog” were the top attractions there, as you can see. It was a fun time, and we are glad we have finally seen “The Dells”.
Finally, our favorite little friends, Miss Polly, and Little Ben made it to the Blog. Little Ben is the “son” of our friends, Bobbie and Don Smith from Kennedyville, MD. Isn’t he the cutest??? We have to keep him away from Les, because Les wants to use him as fish bait, or Alligator treats in Florida. That is NOT NICE Mr. Les!!!! What did Little Ben ever do to you???? Go play your YODELLING PICKLE Lester!!!
We left Madison for Delaware on Sunday, July 6, and arrived home on Wednesday evening. We are glad that we went, in spite of Lester’s “booboos”, but it made it a bit more stressful. I did learn some useful things though. I can now hook up and unhook the trailer, as well as “dump’ the tanks, so all was not lost. As soon as Les is better, he gets those jobs back. Do you think I probably have a few more years to do those jobs????
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for our safety as we traveled. We hope you enjoyed our “tales” and pictures, and maybe you will plan a visit out to Wisconsin some day. Hope so!
We will see you down the road. God Bless ALL of you-family and friends,
Mary Ann, Les, and Miss Polly

Janesville, WI

Janesville, WI
We arrived at the Blackhawk Campground in Milton, WI early Sunday afternoon and it was “rather warm” to say the least. We settled in and drove to Famous Dave’s to “pig out” on their BBQ. After supper we were treated to the Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Show along the Rock River in Janesville. WOW! Those kids have talent! To ski is one thing, but to ski with people on your shoulders is another. “Barefoot skiing” was also demonstrated. (Don’t even think about that, Chris!) Water Ski shows are big around there as there are so many rivers and lakes throughout the area.
The next morning we toured the very beautiful Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. What a beautiful place with walks winding through garden paths and around the lake. The Garden is constructed on abandoned
grounds on which trash etc. had been strewn for years. Twenty years, many volunteers, and lots of hard work have created this beautiful park. The formal Rose Garden is a site for many weddings. There is also a Japanese Garden, Sunken Garden, and an Italian Garden.
The “Speakeasy” Restaurant hosted our lunch. It was a fun place, reminiscent of the days of Elliott Ness, and made us wonder if we should be “watching our backs”! Great atmosphere and yummy food!
After lunch we toured the Wisconsin Wagon Co. which is still in business making the wooden wagons with ball bearing wheels. Fire Island, NY is a big customer as they use the wagons to carry folk’s luggage to their cottages when they get off the ferry. Custom lettering is put on the wagon, and they come in several sizes. I bought a little “tag a-long” for my teddy bears. It was good to see a manufacturing company still in the USA!
Our final tour of the day was the Lincoln Tallman House which was a beautiful Italianate style home built by a wealthy lawyer named Mr. Tallman over one hundred fifty years ago. Abe Lincoln stayed in the home for three days prior to his election. The house had running (cold) water, and an indoor privy. The contents of the house were 75% original and the remainder had been duplicated. It was fun to be in a home with the “actual” things the family had used, and to be in the rooms where Abe Lincoln had been.
Our Group enjoyed our “final banquet” at a restaurant named HHFFRRGGH-yes, that is really the name. Go figure!!! We had a great time, and have really enjoyed being together on this Caravan. In the morning, we will head to Madison, the site of our International Airstream Rally. We sure hope it cools off!!!!