Wisconsin Expeditions

We've been having fun exploring Madison.  First up, the State Capital building.  It had been renovated recently from 1990-2001.  It was gorgeous inside and the view from the balcony was cool because you see exactly how close the 2 lakes are to each other.  The city is nestled in the middle.



I love how the locals eat lunch on the Capital lawn.  They just sprawl out the blankets and enjoy.



This is Lake Mendota to the north of the city.



This is Lake Manona to the south of the city.

After the tour of the Capital, we bought some lunch for a picnic and ventured over to Picnic Point, a nature preserve area to the north behind the University of Wisconsin.  Being not familiar with the area, and not having info or a map, it was definitely an adventure.



When we got to the area we'd thought there'd be picnic tables. Instead we were met by Mama Duck and her ducklings.  They instantly popped out of the water in hopes of a meal.  Valerie didn't let them down. She started feeding them bread from her sandwich.  Chloe was the only one who had a seat... her stroller.  I sat on a log, and Michael and Valerie stood to eat.



We decided to head down the trail further up the point to see what might be there.  There were benches and fire pit areas, but no tables.  When we got back to the car, we realized each fire ring was marked.  We didn't go all the way to the end of the point because that would have been an additional mile to walk.  Who knows, maybe the tables were another 1/2 mile down the trail!



The Capital building can be viewed from just about anywhere in the town, including the nature preserve!

 

Later that evening, I watched Chloe while Michael and Valerie went out to dinner.  Chloe decided she'd chum around with the watering can.

 

I finally figured out how to do the upload!

 

We went to the zoo this morning.  It is a very popular area.  It too is free like the botanical gardens we went to on Wednesday.  Parking is limited so you are left to fend for a space on the neighborhood streets.  I told Michael I wouldn't want to live in that neighborhood despite the pretty houses because of the numerous cars parked down both sides of the roadway.  There were 2 city parks surrounding the zoo.  It would have been a delightful place to have a picnic lunch if we were thinking ahead!

 

 

They had standard animals at the zoo, but they also had animals I hadn't seen before.  This was a double humped camel.

 

 

This is a Capybara.  The world's biggest rodent.  It is 4 1/2 feet long.

 

 

I tried to get Michael to get Chloe to poke her head through one of the holes.  She wouldn't have it.

 

 

She'd rather run around instead.  She didn't want to have anything to do with posing for pictures.

 

 

She did enjoy Grandma playing peek-a-boo with her sunglasses though. :)

We have been having fun with our adventures.  When we got home, I watched her so Michael and Valerie could do a landscaping project.  They are clearing out old shrubs along their fence line in hopes of putting in a vegetable garden next spring.  One thing I definitely noticed in this community is every house has a garden, even if it has to be planted in the front yard!

Wisconsin Trip

It has been 3 months since I've seen Valerie, Michael, and Chloe in person.  I've been counting down the days for my trip to Wisconsin to visit them.  They picked me up at the airport, and of course they were all smiles as well as myself.  It was so good to see them and give them big bear hugs!

Tuesday was a day to get familiar with the area.  Michael brought to my attention the train was out back.  I didn't even hear it which surprised me.



He says it's not often that the locomotive is right there.  What a special treat.
It was a long train.  I couldn't even see it all.  Not only that, I didn't even hear it when it left!



We spent our afternoon driving around town.  This would give me ideas as to what we might like to do as the week progresses.  Michael took me to CarMax.  It is a different layout than the older stores.  I like this design much better.  It's got an open, clean, crisp atmosphere. :)
Then off to Joann Fabrics to pick up some supplies for a crafting project we hope to do for Chloe.



Chloe and I spent some time at the park across the street while Valerie and Michael caught an afternoon siesta.



Just like a typical toddler, she has an inquisitive eye, and notices things most people don't.



We even sat on the front porch and blew bubbles while Mom fixed dinner.



But that was short lived once she saw Daddy. He had to coax her back to the area.



After dinner we walked down to Lake Mendota to catch a glimpse of the sunset.  They live on the southeastern side of the lake.  The Madison community is really into fitness.  I am amazed with how many trails there are.  Even at this time in the evening, there were quite a few people out jogging, walking, biking, etc.  There is a map just to show all trails in the area, and there are so many, it looks like a street map!



 I tried to take a picture of Chloe in this hat Tuesday night, but this morning (Wednesday) Chloe decides to put it on and come over to me as if to say, "I'm ready!  Now you can take my picture!"

Valerie and I decided to venture to Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  It was a gorgeous day.  Much like a February day in Florida: breezy, low humidity, and high in the low 70's. 



The gardens are on the northeast side of Lake Monona.  This is the lake view taken from the Sunken Garden display.



These are a series of pictures taken from within the grounds.





















They even had a butterfly conservatory.  Chloe really liked this area.  She pointed and babbled up a storm to let Valerie and I know about all the butterflies!!





They even had quail in there.









We had a wonderful time.  If you only want to stroll the Botanical Gardens, it's free.  It only costs to go into the Butterfly Exhibit, but it is well worth the money. :)

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

A crafting project with Amber

Amber had called a couple weeks ago inquiring if I would help her repurpose her Mom's old coffee table into an ottoman.  This sounded challenging, and at the same time like FUN!  It took 2 Mondays.  We'd start around 3:30-4:00 after shopping for supplies. We'd take a break for dinner, and then finish for the day around 11:00.  Even Clif got on the scene.  He was able to cut the legs down to size, and notch the foam batting to fit along the wood casings and trim.

Although I don't have a picture of the original table (but Amber will try to get one from her mom so I can insert it later), this is the first point we thought to take a picture of what we were doing.



Once we got the foam attached by using spray adhesive, we covered it with batting.  Amber painted the legs from the natural wood stain to white.  Just this process alone took up the first Monday.

The following Monday, we had to go back to the store because Amber realized she didn't get enough fabric to pull to the underside.  Once home, we were real focused, and by 11:00, our job was done!







She now has a multi-purpose ottoman.  Looks like she's ready for bed!  We had a lot of fun doing this project.  Not bad for a couple of amateurs!

Withlacoochee State Trail

Today is July 4.  Those that know Clif and I well know that we usually don't travel over this holiday.  Anyway, fears put aside, we decided to venture over to Floral City to pick up a portion of the Withlacoochee State Trail.  We got there at 10:30, and got started on our adventure.



We decided to head north with a goal of riding about 10 miles each way.  We passed Fort Cooper State Park in which we decided to eat lunch there on the return. 



A few miles later we happened upon another park in Inverness. 



A courageous man was swimming along the dock.  I say courageous because this time of year there is a risk of contracting a deadly ameba from the warm waters.



The scenery was beautiful.  Lots of boaters were on the lake.  Although you don't see them here.



Then we passed the old train depot.



A turtle was meandering across the trail.  We continued along the trail until we got to 9 miles, then turned to head back.



On the return, we did go to Fort Cooper, but when we got there the skies opened up to LOTS of rain.  It was over a mile to the parking area to find a shelter.  We had a picnic lunch and the rain dissipated.
I had to get a picture of the sign when we left because I wasn't taking it in the rain!



The scenery in the park was pretty.  For it being July 4, they weren't busy at all.  As a matter of fact, when we got there, we were the only ones at the park.  About 15 min later a couple with a dog came.  That was it!  Very peaceful to say the least.  We headed back to the trail to continue to the truck.  We could hear thunder in the distance and saw another rain storm moving in.  We rode rather quickly in beating it back to the truck.  We did.  Just as we left the parking area, the rain came. We ended up biking a total of 21.3 miles.

 Despite the rain, it was a delightful day nonetheless.  Now that we are safe and sound at home, we will watch the neighborhood fireworks from the comfort of our living room. :)