Summertime in Madison, Wisconsin: June 30-July 24
June 30: Preparation and the First Day
I guess the highlight for the past three days was packing for my trip to Wisconsin and setting out on my first long distance post Covid adventure to the great state where I was born. I spent about 11.25 hours in the car and covered around 800 miles while taking four breaks that totaled about 75 minutes. I ran into very few delays, but the traffic was constant and the construction projects almost never ending. Fortunately, most of the work must happen in the overnight hours, because although there were traffic reroutings, I was rarely slowed to a halt. I made it to Lafayette, Indiana about 2 hours from my sister’s place in the western suburbs of Chicago. I booked a room at the Courtyard Marriott, which is a very nice hotel just off the highway.
Lafayette is the home of Purdue University. Before I head out to my sister’s on Thursday, I plan to take a ride down to the campus and see how it compares with the UW in Madison. I opted for a cheese ravioli with meat sauce at the Olive Garden just around the corner from the Courtyard. I went to bed around 9, but as tired as I was, I still only got about 6 hours sleep with a reading session somewhere in the middle.
I am surprised how little attention I am paying to Covid. I donned my mask a few times on the trip, but mostly I went without. Hardly anyone that I ran into along the way was wearing a mask. The guy at the front desk at the Marriott was wearing one. I hope that I am not being to cavalier about Covid restrictions. It is so tempting to just get back to normal. I look forward to seeing my sister tomorrow and my friends in Madison on Friday. I am not sure if I will keep a separate journal of the trip. That plus keeping up with this journal seems a bit much.
July 1-2: Short Stop with Lynn and On to Madison
I arrived at Lynn’s around 10 in the morning and I tried my best not to disturb her during her morning work session. We were moderately successful. At noon, we had a great salad at her place and began our discussion that would last off and on for the next 24 hours. It was the first time that I had visited her apartment since she moved and I was quite impressed with what she had accomplished so far. It is a much smaller place than Highland Park, but she has decorated it quite well with only the television and perhaps one or two heavy items that need placement on the wall. It looks like she has made a wise choice in conjunction with her son and his wife’s purchase of the condo Lynn is renting. In addition to her grandchildren, her friends and the theater in Glen Ellen are close by, cutting short the long trips she use to make from Highland Park.
I guess the highlight for the past three days was packing for my trip to Wisconsin and setting out on my first long distance post Covid adventure to the great state where I was born. I spent about 11.25 hours in the car and covered around 800 miles while taking four breaks that totaled about 75 minutes. I ran into very few delays, but the traffic was constant and the construction projects almost never ending. Fortunately, most of the work must happen in the overnight hours, because although there were traffic reroutings, I was rarely slowed to a halt. I made it to Lafayette, Indiana about 2 hours from my sister’s place in the western suburbs of Chicago. I booked a room at the Courtyard Marriott, which is a very nice hotel just off the highway.
Lafayette is the home of Purdue University. Before I head out to my sister’s on Thursday, I plan to take a ride down to the campus and see how it compares with the UW in Madison. I opted for a cheese ravioli with meat sauce at the Olive Garden just around the corner from the Courtyard. I went to bed around 9, but as tired as I was, I still only got about 6 hours sleep with a reading session somewhere in the middle.
I am surprised how little attention I am paying to Covid. I donned my mask a few times on the trip, but mostly I went without. Hardly anyone that I ran into along the way was wearing a mask. The guy at the front desk at the Marriott was wearing one. I hope that I am not being to cavalier about Covid restrictions. It is so tempting to just get back to normal. I look forward to seeing my sister tomorrow and my friends in Madison on Friday. I am not sure if I will keep a separate journal of the trip. That plus keeping up with this journal seems a bit much.
July 1-2: Short Stop with Lynn and On to Madison
I arrived at Lynn’s around 10 in the morning and I tried my best not to disturb her during her morning work session. We were moderately successful. At noon, we had a great salad at her place and began our discussion that would last off and on for the next 24 hours. It was the first time that I had visited her apartment since she moved and I was quite impressed with what she had accomplished so far. It is a much smaller place than Highland Park, but she has decorated it quite well with only the television and perhaps one or two heavy items that need placement on the wall. It looks like she has made a wise choice in conjunction with her son and his wife’s purchase of the condo Lynn is renting. In addition to her grandchildren, her friends and the theater in Glen Ellen are close by, cutting short the long trips she use to make from Highland Park.
On Friday, Lynn was headed to Lake Geneva for the wedding of her good friend Debbie. I left a little earlier for Madison. The drive was not too bad, with some construction at the end getting in the way. I arrived around 10:30 and looked for Connie in the office of Countryside Apartments. No one was there at that moment, so I checked out my apartment and it was set for me. So, I moved my things in about three hours before check-in. Connie was in the office a bit later and so I stopped into to say hello. She was as gracious as ever and did not make an issue of my early arrival.
My place is located in the upper building facing the courtyard. I have a wonderful view of the Capitol building several miles away, particularly at night when it is lit up against the nighttime summer sky. My deck over looks the pool and I have already sat out there, sipping coffee and listening and watching the birds do their thing. Friday night, I went to Ann and Brad’s home on the outskirts of Madison. Sally was there and the four of us spent a wonderful time on the porch enjoying a cool summer evening and talking up a storm. In addition, we ordered Thai food for an eat in dinner. It was great to see my two friends that I first met in 2013 on the trip to Tuscany. Brad, Ann’s husband is a gracious host and he has been added to the friendships that originated eight years ago. I was home by 9:45 and went to bed. I apparently am only good for 5-6 hours sleep, but the bed is comfortable and my surroundings allow me plenty of room to roam.
July 3: Inspiration amidst Transition
On Saturday, I walked a little more than a mile at Vilas Park. I need to keep walking, but I think the long drive in the car took a lot out of me. It is always enjoyable walking Vilas Park that borders the Madison Zoo, the dying lake known as Wingra, and special bridges that are friendly to the camera. After a 28 minute walk, I drove to Panera’s in Fitchburg, not too far from my apartment, enjoyed coffee and a bagel and ventured the task of writing some poems which are shared below.
Morning Walk with a Panera Inspiration
By Jay Voss
Walking in Vilas Park
Amidst lily pads and birds
Nature paints, I watch
Sun rises, hiding
Behind a tree, splitting light
So I can observe.
Word ladders create
Connections before unseen
I reflect in awe.
Thai food with noodles
Friends together renewing
Both past and present.
My birthplace relived
A visit worth making yearly
Old friends, old places.
I was inspired to buy a mini HomePod from the Apple Store in Madison, so that I would have the benefit of good sound during may stay. I love the device, but unfortunately it does not connect to the building WiFi at Countryside Apartments. I can use the Hotspot on my iPhone, but that uses too much data and I have a limited plan for data. So, I guess my music will happen with my AirPods, which are working fine.
Saturday evening, I stopped in at the Laurel Tavern for the prime rib special and it was quite good. I washed the meal down with a couple of Capital Brewery Ambers and I engaged in some fun discussions at the bar. For most of my time, Don who is a year younger than I am talked about all the people and places in Madison that we have in common. He and I had never met before, but we sure new a lot of the same people. He was divorced many years ago from a woman named Mary Hutchinson, whose name did not registered at the time, but I may know her. In fact, we may have sung in a folk group together back in our college days at the University. I have to research that fact. If she is the same person, I will have something to talk to Don about, should we ever meet again at the Laurel. There were fireworks in downtown Madison on Saturday night that I thought I might able to see from apartment. I saw nothing except the well it Capitol building the distance. I shortly went to bed, So far, so good on this visit to Madison.
July 4
I awoke on Sunday morning, July 4 at my usual early morning time and went to Mass at Queen of Peace in Westmorland where spent my early years. The Mass reminded me of one of the important facets of my life that I am missing in the South, a Catholic priest that has a compassionate demeanor. Fr. Rich said the Mass and he started my day with a pleasant experience. I drove past Westmorland Park to see what might be happening that day, but except for a small tent and a sign on the park shelter, there was little going on at 9 AM. After a swim in the pool and watching some golf, I headed out to Ann’s home again. She and Brad were hosting Sally, Mike, Jerry Marsha, and me to a 4th of July celebration. We sat on the porch and joyed each other’s company. There was steak and chicken from the grill. It was still light, but we heard backyard fireworks in the distance. Sometime around 9, we took off for our various habitats. Jerry and I talked about the possibility of playing some golf. I do hope that happens. We will all see each other again on July 11 in Spring Green for the American Players Theater presentation preceded by a picnic lunch. I hope the weather cooperates on the 11th.
July 5
Monday was a quiet holiday. Nothing much was happening. So, I decided to walk Picnic Point on Lake Mendota. Every time I come to Madison, I try to take at least one hike out to the Point. It is about 1.7 mile walk round trip through woods and lake views, including the skyline of Madison. I have walked it in the early morning sunrise, but today it was mid morning on a warm summer day. I took some photos as I walked and I am including a few of those photos below. I caught a bee seeking pollen from a flower and some driftwood resting quietly on one of the small beach areas on the point. I always look for different views of the State Capitol building and I shot another view through the trees. The Point is an active place with joggers, walkers, fisherman, and a view of boats sliding through the waves just off shore. It is one of my favorite places to walk. I hope to take the walk at least one more time during my visit.
After my excursion on the Point, I stopped at Barriques on University Ave. for a coffee. It took awhile, but I eventually was served. I took the coffee and drove up to Hoyt Park that sits in a wooded part of Madison with a view that overlooks the Hilldale shopping center. In my youth, my friends and I would often go to this spot and peer over the edge of the huge cliff that marked the boundary of an old quarry dug out years before. In those days, there was no shopping center, a few homes and some open fields. It is sort of a mini Mulholland drive with a night view that includes lights and an overlook of a city with some hills, but much flatter than the City of Los Angeles. The rest of my Monday was quiet. I went back to the Laurel Tavern for a hamburger and some onion rings. Sometimes I strike up a conversation with another person like I did with Don the other night, but not this night.
July 6
I decided in the afternoon to take a trip to the Union Terrace for a look. It was another hot day and I thought it would be nice to get a beer and sit on the terrace and look at the lake. I did exactly that and watched groups people sit in the big orange chair and take photos. I wandered over to the statue of Bucky Badger in the Alumni Park and took a selfie that I sent to several of my family members and friends. The question was: “Which one is the thinker?” I received all sorts of responses, and some were numerous. I actually like that statue of Bucky. I have taken photos of it before and have one hanging in one of my bedrooms in Mt. Pleasant. I gave another to TJ Van Thullenar for his house in the same town. Bucky and I are good friends. It was more than pleasant to spend time at the union. I hope to do it some more, perhaps on a night when there is music. If you are a Union member, you are eligible to buy alcohol on the Terrace, but if not, you must buy a one day pass for a buck. It is no big deal, but it is sort of a nuisance
July 6
I decided in the afternoon to take a trip to the Union Terrace for a look. It was another hot day and I thought it would be nice to get a beer and sit on the terrace and look at the lake. I did exactly that and watched groups people sit in the big orange chair and take photos. I wandered over to the statue of Bucky Badger in the Alumni Park and took a selfie that I sent to several of my family members and friends. The question was: “Which one is the thinker?” I received all sorts of responses, and some were numerous. I actually like that statue of Bucky. I have taken photos of it before and have one hanging in one of my bedrooms in Mt. Pleasant. I gave another to TJ Van Thullenar for his house in the same town. Bucky and I are good friends. It was more than pleasant to spend time at the union. I hope to do it some more, perhaps on a night when there is music. If you are a Union member, you are eligible to buy alcohol on the Terrace, but if not, you must buy a one day pass for a buck. It is no big deal, but it is sort of a nuisance
I was supposed to have dinner with Kris Rogers tonight at Lombardino’s, but I found out that the restaurant was closed on Monday-Wednesday. So, we cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday night. I decided to go to the Badger Tavern for dinner. It was a good choice. I had blackened walleye with potato salad and Cole slaw. It was listed on the menu as a Friday option. but I found out that the were serving it daily. So, despite the cancelled dinner with Kris, I made a good substitute choice, knowing that Lombardino’s was still happening on Thursday.
July 7
I went for breakfast at Collectivo on Monroe St. I took my iPad with me and enjoyed a leisurely coffee and muffin. I decided to walk a mile around Wingra Park just across the street. Lake Wingra is often referred to as Lake Muddy, because of silty bottom and shallow waters. It is a lake clearly dying that borders the University Arboretum. Despite its potential doom, it is still a place for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and even barrel rolling. The colorful boats and floating devices offer a wonderful contract to the bluish brown water and green vegetation that is invading the lake. I like this walk and have taken it many times as part of my trips to Madison.
July 7
I went for breakfast at Collectivo on Monroe St. I took my iPad with me and enjoyed a leisurely coffee and muffin. I decided to walk a mile around Wingra Park just across the street. Lake Wingra is often referred to as Lake Muddy, because of silty bottom and shallow waters. It is a lake clearly dying that borders the University Arboretum. Despite its potential doom, it is still a place for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and even barrel rolling. The colorful boats and floating devices offer a wonderful contract to the bluish brown water and green vegetation that is invading the lake. I like this walk and have taken it many times as part of my trips to Madison.
I went to Ann and Brad’s again around 2 in the afternoon. Brad is heavily into ancestry.com, DNA testing to find relatives, and small town newspapers that have funny, informative, and sad story’s and obits about our ancestors. It is a hobby of his and he chose to track my family. He has turned up a significant amount of material and he spent most of the afternoon sharing it with me and showing me the processes he uses to search for ancestors and document the validly of the connections he finds. I am lucky in that two family members have produced two separate works, one for the Voss family, the other for Kunz family. There were many events and situations that he shared with that I knew, but there were others that came as a surprise. Many of these searches usually raise other questions that are not so easy to verify, but are interesting. The fact that Brad took the time to put together this information for me is a wonderful gift and I hope I can do it justice with some further work of my own. He gave me his entire file of pdfs for my benefit. Thank you Brad.
Ann served a very nice and tasty dinner of pork with sides of a corn salad and delicious onion pie. I had never had these latter two dishes. They were quite tasty and complimented the pork and the wine very nicely. We continued our conversation about all things Madison and I was home by 8:30 after a most productive day.
July 8
I tried another Barriques for breakfast, the one in Fitchburg. The highlight of the morning was my trek down to the University Union and sitting in the Rathskeller looking out the window at the Terrace on a cooler than normal day. My purpose was to begin writing this travelogue, which I did and was able to complete it through July 7. Sitting at one of the old desks in the “Rat” as I used to many decades ago as a student was really great. There was music in the background and a glorious view out the back window of the “Rat.” The room was almost empty, but the darkened German motif brought back wonderful memories of studying for tests, talking with friends, and enjoying the ambiance of the student union.
On my way home, I stopped at Culver’s for a hot fudge sundae, a rather poor excuse for lunch. In the afternoon, I worked on processing the photos for use in this travelogue. I was able to accomplish that task and then do some reading prior to picking up Kris Rogers for dinner
Kris and I had a delightful time at Lombardino’s enjoying a Caprese salad and a delicious marqherita and dark mushroom pizza. We sipped our cocktails and talked non stop for two hours about family, a priest named Fr. Rich referenced in an earlier entry, and Kris’ trip to Michigan with her family. It was a pleasant ending to a productive day. The less than perfect Manhattan (less sweet vermouth) I had, a rarity today in my drinking repertoire helped to encourage our conversation. I was home by 8:30, read for a while and went to bed.
July 9
It started with my usual trek to Panera where I continued work on the VV Newsletter for later this month. I have not ridden my bike for sometime, but my friend Ann was due to pick me up at 10 for a “break-in” ride on a free trail near the Yahara River. I spent about 30 minutes putting the front wheel back on my bike, squirting some bike lubricant on the chain and getting myself ready for the ride. Ann picked me up at 10 and we proceeded to a camp ground area slightly southeast of Madison where the Lower Yahara River Bike Trail begins. The total round trip was a little less than 5 miles, but it was just the right length to get me going on the bike again. The feature of the trail is .9 mile boardwalk constructed parallel to a railroad track that spans the dividing line between Mud Lake and Lake Waubesa, part of the Madison chain of 5 lakes joined in parts by the Yahara River. It was a pleasant ride. We stopped for a water break at the part at the McFarland town line which borders Lake Waubesa. On the way back, we stopped for a photo op at one of the rest areas on the boardwalk. A very nice couple took our photo, and then return we took the photo of a larger group of tourists who we also at the rest stop on the boardwalk. We returned to where we parked the car and proceed to the Badger Tavern for lunch. I owe Ann a debt of gratitude for pushing me to take the bike ride. It was fun and sort of renewed my confidence that I could continue to use this as a form of exercise.
We ran into Kris Rogers at the Badger Tavern who was having lunch with three friends. It was a bit of irony for the serendipitous running into Kris after our delightful dinner at Lombardino’s the night before. After lunch, Ann dropped me back at my apartment and I tried to rest up for the beginning of my high school reunion weekend scheduled to begin at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden at 5 PM. Although only about 20 members of my reunion class showed up for this informal gathering, the place was mobbed and I parked at least a quarter of mile away. It was great to see some of my older looking high school friends, some of whose names I remembered, and some not. Regardless, I enjoyed the conversations that we tried to have over the loud sounds of the band. It was amazing to me that I did not recognize some of the people in their elderly forms, but once identified, it did not stop us from reconnecting. I could list off the names of the people who were there, but I will leave someone out. It was good to see John Luther and Marthe Jones who are the leaders of the Reunion Committee, but to reconnect after at least 10 years was a lot fun and foreshadowed the more formal gathering that will occur on Saturday night at Nakoma Country Club. I need to take lots of photos.
I finished the night off sitting outside in the pleasant summer air of Madison at the Badger Tavern once again. The place is no more than two minutes from my apartment and is just so good and so convenient. I am sure that I will spend some more time there during my visit.
July 10
The day began with my continuing to put together a draft of the VV Newsletter. It is coming along nicely and should be ready to go by late July. Ann gave me some positive feedback and several suggestions. After that work, I decided to take a trip to Vitense’s to hit some golf balls. I only purchase a small basket, but it was enough for me to play about 11 holes on Odana Hills in my mind. That means, a drive, the use of one of my hybrids, and maybe a 9 hour. It gives me a more realistic view of what might happen should I ever play golf again. It was fun and only took about 20 minutes. That excursion was followed by a trip to the EVP coffee shop on Midvale Blvd. They have multiple types of coffee with delicious scones. So, my morning got off to a good start.
Later in the morning, I went for my first walk on this visit to Madison in the Arboretum. I took a familiar route among the trees and the wild flowers that populate this gorgeous piece of land in Madison. I ended up on a different route, but all told, I walked about 1.5 miles and took some photos that are shared below. It was a good walk and I need to go back there several more times. It is one of my favorite places in Madison and continued to support my day.
We ran into Kris Rogers at the Badger Tavern who was having lunch with three friends. It was a bit of irony for the serendipitous running into Kris after our delightful dinner at Lombardino’s the night before. After lunch, Ann dropped me back at my apartment and I tried to rest up for the beginning of my high school reunion weekend scheduled to begin at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden at 5 PM. Although only about 20 members of my reunion class showed up for this informal gathering, the place was mobbed and I parked at least a quarter of mile away. It was great to see some of my older looking high school friends, some of whose names I remembered, and some not. Regardless, I enjoyed the conversations that we tried to have over the loud sounds of the band. It was amazing to me that I did not recognize some of the people in their elderly forms, but once identified, it did not stop us from reconnecting. I could list off the names of the people who were there, but I will leave someone out. It was good to see John Luther and Marthe Jones who are the leaders of the Reunion Committee, but to reconnect after at least 10 years was a lot fun and foreshadowed the more formal gathering that will occur on Saturday night at Nakoma Country Club. I need to take lots of photos.
I finished the night off sitting outside in the pleasant summer air of Madison at the Badger Tavern once again. The place is no more than two minutes from my apartment and is just so good and so convenient. I am sure that I will spend some more time there during my visit.
July 10
The day began with my continuing to put together a draft of the VV Newsletter. It is coming along nicely and should be ready to go by late July. Ann gave me some positive feedback and several suggestions. After that work, I decided to take a trip to Vitense’s to hit some golf balls. I only purchase a small basket, but it was enough for me to play about 11 holes on Odana Hills in my mind. That means, a drive, the use of one of my hybrids, and maybe a 9 hour. It gives me a more realistic view of what might happen should I ever play golf again. It was fun and only took about 20 minutes. That excursion was followed by a trip to the EVP coffee shop on Midvale Blvd. They have multiple types of coffee with delicious scones. So, my morning got off to a good start.
Later in the morning, I went for my first walk on this visit to Madison in the Arboretum. I took a familiar route among the trees and the wild flowers that populate this gorgeous piece of land in Madison. I ended up on a different route, but all told, I walked about 1.5 miles and took some photos that are shared below. It was a good walk and I need to go back there several more times. It is one of my favorite places in Madison and continued to support my day.
This day is the anniversary of my 60th year since I graduated from Edgewood High school. About 60 of us met at Nakoma CC for cocktails, a buffet, and lots of reminiscing with high school friends, now much older. I was able to get around and meet many old friends and a good time was had by all. We capped it off with a photo of those in attendance, which I hope to receive in the near future. Marthe Jones, John Luther and the committee did a great job in planning this get together. I have always enjoyed coming to these events, but to able to do it for 60 years every decade or so has been great. Dick Link put together a wonderful slide program recognizing all of our classmates who have passed away. It was a touching tribute. In addition, we a slide program of our 50th Year Reunion and could observe what 10 years had done to us. I am just very glad that I was able to attend.
Edgewood Class of 61
June 11,
The Class of 61 Reunion continued for a small contingent at the home of Gary Poole in Middleton. We spent a couple of more hours enjoying some good food and remembering more anecdotes from the past. I left around noon. Earlier in the morning, I attended a Farmers’ Market at Edgewood High School. I purchased a pastry loaf there for the breakfast at Gary’s home. And so, I had one more connection to Edgewood on this reunion weekend.
Later on Sunday, my friend Sally Anderson picked me up for an outing to the American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Her friend, Karen, joined us and we had a wonderful discussion about Parker High School in Janesville where her kids attended school. We talked of teachers who she knew and who were my teaching colleagues. The play was “Rough Crossing” by Tom Stoppard, a sort of less than funny farce bout putting a script together and rehearsing it on board a ship. The play demanded great timing in the delivering of lines and in hitting the deck on a imaginary rough sea. So, it was not the acting that bothered me, it was the script and I did find a review after the play that articulated my critical response to the play. With all of that said, we had a great time enjoying our pre play picnic and the good conversation that went with it. The weather was beautiful for accentuating the beauty of the outdoor theater in Spring Green. It was a fun outing. Brad took the photo below as we sat in anticipation of the beginning of the play.
Upon reflection, I throughly enjoyed my Reunion weekend. To see so many of my high school friends was priceless. It is good that we have these celebrations to recognize our lives and the passing of our friends.
June 12
Monday of the second week, time to do my laundry. And so I did. I found enough quarters and purchased a small box of of soap and I was on my way. I did a little shopping while the washing machine churned and by the end of the morning, I was back in business of having clothes for another week. I was supposed to play pickle ball yesterday with Ann, Sally, and Sarah, who I met for the first time. It rained and we did not play, but we had a nice conversation at Barriques’s for about a 90 minutes. We rescheduled for Wednesday. Sarah and I, believe it or not both lived on Euclid Ave. She lived there until 2009. At any rate, the conversation gave us the opportunity to at least exercise our vocal cords. I decided on the Laurel Tavern for dinner, which may be the last time. I noticed the Badger Tavern was much busier than the Laurel. If the choice is a Tavern from here on in, it probably will be the Badger.
July 13: Honoring Creative Tuesday
I thought that it might be fun to just think creatively for today's entry on my trip to Wisconsin. Here are a few poetic thoughts about the Reunion that I experienced over the weekend.
Reunion Reflective Poetry
Conversation reigns
As we talk of days of old
Reconnecting all
Thirty-seven have passed
While many of us go on
To celebrate life.
Breakfast at Gary’s
Guys and Girls telling stories
Eating and laughing
Class of Sixty-one
Many alive and quite well
Go forward and laugh
Wild Flowers in Arbor Hills Mostly Photos.
Madison is known for many of its residents planting wild flowers in the the front and back yards of their homes. When an observer like me walks or drives down a street just about anywhere in the neighborhoods of Madison, I find wild flowers growing everywhere. So, on this day, I decided to just take a walk in Arbor Hills, the neighborhood where my apartment is located and take photos of the variety of plants that populate the surrounding yards. And so, without further comment here they are.
The following slide show is not complete due to some technical difficulties that I am trying to solve. I am continuing with this travelogue despite the problem
June 12
Monday of the second week, time to do my laundry. And so I did. I found enough quarters and purchased a small box of of soap and I was on my way. I did a little shopping while the washing machine churned and by the end of the morning, I was back in business of having clothes for another week. I was supposed to play pickle ball yesterday with Ann, Sally, and Sarah, who I met for the first time. It rained and we did not play, but we had a nice conversation at Barriques’s for about a 90 minutes. We rescheduled for Wednesday. Sarah and I, believe it or not both lived on Euclid Ave. She lived there until 2009. At any rate, the conversation gave us the opportunity to at least exercise our vocal cords. I decided on the Laurel Tavern for dinner, which may be the last time. I noticed the Badger Tavern was much busier than the Laurel. If the choice is a Tavern from here on in, it probably will be the Badger.
July 13: Honoring Creative Tuesday
I thought that it might be fun to just think creatively for today's entry on my trip to Wisconsin. Here are a few poetic thoughts about the Reunion that I experienced over the weekend.
Reunion Reflective Poetry
Conversation reigns
As we talk of days of old
Reconnecting all
Thirty-seven have passed
While many of us go on
To celebrate life.
Breakfast at Gary’s
Guys and Girls telling stories
Eating and laughing
Class of Sixty-one
Many alive and quite well
Go forward and laugh
Wild Flowers in Arbor Hills Mostly Photos.
Madison is known for many of its residents planting wild flowers in the the front and back yards of their homes. When an observer like me walks or drives down a street just about anywhere in the neighborhoods of Madison, I find wild flowers growing everywhere. So, on this day, I decided to just take a walk in Arbor Hills, the neighborhood where my apartment is located and take photos of the variety of plants that populate the surrounding yards. And so, without further comment here they are.
The following slide show is not complete due to some technical difficulties that I am trying to solve. I am continuing with this travelogue despite the problem
July 14
Today, I focused on getting ready for my sister, Lynn's, visit. I bought her favorite wine and began to think how I have to prepare the apartment. Fortunately, tomorrow is a cleaning day, which will help with the preparation. My plan for a Saturday Taco Party with eight of us has been narrowed to four, but we are going forward. The rains seem to be on their way in abundance here in Wisconsin, which affected our Pickle Ball play in the afternoon. Sally, Ann, Sara, and I played for about 45 minutes before we were rained out. However, it was good to have the paddle back in my hand for the first time in months. The rules of Pickle Ball are a bit weird, but they came back to me like riding a bike with a few reminders from Sara here and there. Like riding a bicycle, the fundamentals, though rusty, have not gone away. I can sill serve the ball, sometimes with a spin. I can still react fairly quickly to quick exchanges, and I can still place the ball. Our purpose yesterday was to practice not to compete, so I tried to remind myself to take it easy in my volleying and serving. Most of the time I did, but sometimes my reflexes just took over and I hit a shot that is not really fair to the newer player.
I went to an Italian Restaurant, new to me. Nonno is the name. The salad was fresh, the thin crust pizza tasty, and the house Cabernet adequate. The service was a little slow, but the ambiance was OK. Nothing can touch Lombardino's, but this place is open 7 days a week and closer. I was tired last night and so I retired early.
July 15
This was the day my sister, Lynn, arrived. She blew in about 1 PM and we spent the next 90 minutes sipping wine on the deck overlooking the pool and just rambling on about all sorts of stuff. At about 2:35 we left for Marshall Park where we were to meet Ann, Brad, Sally, Jerry, Marsha, and another couple who are neighbors of Sally’s. Lynn and I drove up to the park with only two minutes to spare, but we were on time. However, everyone was waiting for us. Sally’s neighbor, Paul, volunteered to drive the pontoon boat around the lake. I am not sure any of the rest of us knew how to handle the weeds, which frequently entangled themselves around the motor as we traversed the lake. Paul did a great job of managing the two hour boat ride.
Although, I had been on this lake many many times when I was growing up in Madison, I had never really seen a closeup Lakeview of the eastern and northern shore lines. According to Marsha and Paul, many of the beautiful homes we saw yesterday were newly constructed after a much smaller lake home was demolished and the new one built. It is clear that the rebuilt homes were very costly and that change from the old to the new represented a significant change in wealth. It sort of reminded me of the boat rides with my Uncle, Ed McCullough, on Lake Geneva where many of the homes were original mansions and beautiful homes. So, the pontoon boat was filled with great scenes and lots of conversation as some of us talked about stories from our youth as experienced on Lake Mendota. We saw Maple Bluff and its stately homes from the view of the lake and then we caught the shoreline of downtown Madison with its beautiful Capitol dome and the hotels and UW fraternities, societies, and academic buildings that border Lake Mendota. As the boat approached the UW Union Terrace facilities in all of its reconstructed elegance, we could see the eating area with colorful umbrellas to protect against the sun on the veranda outside the theater. We would be eating dinner in this “Pop Up” restaurant about an hour after the boat ride.
So, Paul continued to aim the boat back toward the Marshall Park launching base in order to meet the two hour limit on the boat rental. We passed beautiful Picnic Point and observed all of the residential areas along the drive that border Lake Mendota near Black Hawk Country Club. We passed Spring Harbor where we swam and water skied when we were kids. We arrived back to the launch right on time and Paul did a great job landing the boat with some aid from the attendants at Marshall Park. It was a special treat to spend these two hours on this very large local lake that gave so many of us on the pontoon boat marvelous memories. Thanks to Ann and Brad for making this ride possible.
Our next part of the adventure took us to the UW Union Terrace and the special one month only restaurant where reservations were difficult to get. Ann had made the reservations two weeks before. As we waited the 6:15 seating time, we sat with a couple of pitchers of beer and continued the conversations that we had on the boat. When we were seated, we paired off to share the plates that we were about to order. Lynn and I ordered a Salmon dip with bread and veggies that was delicious. That plate was followed with 20 boneless chicken wings (nuggets) with a Ranch dip to round off the taste of the fried bits of chicken breasts. Both of our plates were quite tasty. Some said these would be small plates. They were nothing of the kind. The proportions of both dishes were more than adequate for two hungry people. Others ordered pizza and it looked quite good. The plate of nachos Jerry and Marcia ordered was huge and could have easily fed the entire table of nine. Lynn and I sipped classes of wine, she white, I red. Feeling a part of the Union Terrace ambiance with a huge crowd of people of all ages and with our special little roped off temporary restaurant was a marvelous way to cap an incredible day.
Lynn was most appreciative of the day, but so was I. Kudos again to Ann and Brad for planning this wonderful combination of water and land based moments to remember.
Lynn and I stopped at the Badger Tavern for a nightcap and with huge sense of satisfaction we returned to our apartment dwelling. I slept fairly well and did not roll out bed until almost 7, quite unusual for me.
The photos below were taken by me, but also by others on the trip. I only signed the photos that I took.
July 16
We spent a leisurely day with early morning coffee on the deck and some more conversation. We planned out our day a little. Lynn wanted to go to Collectivo for more coffee and a muffin, which we did. While she went to Katie’s store on Monroe Street, I wrote my entry for yesterday. Lynn then went to the pool while I finally got on my bike and rode for 5 miles on the Cannonball Trail which is just down the hill from my place. It was a good ride and I did fine with it. I have to walk the bike up the hill to my place at the end, which causes me to breathe a little more heavily. But taking some more photos of wildflowers modified that part of the biking experience. I now have a plan for doing some more bike riding next week. We went to Delaney’s Steak house for dinner, sat at the bar, and sipped a couple of manhattans. Lynn had steak, I had fish. Lynn was OK with her steak, but has had better at Delaney’s. My fish was very good and I enjoyed every bit of it. We left about 7 and drove to the Laurel Tavern for a nightcap. Unlike earlier in the week, the Laurel was a busy place. We bumped into Red Connors again for the second day in a row. What a coincidence. Home by 8:20 and to bed at the usual time. It was a fun and relaxing day. Lynn panicked we she forgot her phone one more time; I was worried that Delaney’s would be crowded. We found her phone here at the apartment and we had plenty of room at the bar. Our anxiety relieved.
July 17-18
The weekend went much too quickly. Lynn and I went down to the Square in Madison for the Farmers’ Market. It was very crowded and not all that enjoyable. I bought some Maple Syrup for Lou and Margaret who have watched my condo back home. We also bought some wonderful cheese from a shop on upper State Street. I took a number of photos of the Market, Capitol, and State Street for this journal, which I will include below. We felt uncomfortable in the large crowds because no one was wearing masks. Although the vaccination rate is high here in Dane County, it still made us nervous. This is the first time I have been to the market in three years and it has not changed at all. The vendors have great products, but the crowds moving in a counter clockwise direction around the square mean that you risk your well being by going against the flow.
We spent a leisurely day with early morning coffee on the deck and some more conversation. We planned out our day a little. Lynn wanted to go to Collectivo for more coffee and a muffin, which we did. While she went to Katie’s store on Monroe Street, I wrote my entry for yesterday. Lynn then went to the pool while I finally got on my bike and rode for 5 miles on the Cannonball Trail which is just down the hill from my place. It was a good ride and I did fine with it. I have to walk the bike up the hill to my place at the end, which causes me to breathe a little more heavily. But taking some more photos of wildflowers modified that part of the biking experience. I now have a plan for doing some more bike riding next week. We went to Delaney’s Steak house for dinner, sat at the bar, and sipped a couple of manhattans. Lynn had steak, I had fish. Lynn was OK with her steak, but has had better at Delaney’s. My fish was very good and I enjoyed every bit of it. We left about 7 and drove to the Laurel Tavern for a nightcap. Unlike earlier in the week, the Laurel was a busy place. We bumped into Red Connors again for the second day in a row. What a coincidence. Home by 8:20 and to bed at the usual time. It was a fun and relaxing day. Lynn panicked we she forgot her phone one more time; I was worried that Delaney’s would be crowded. We found her phone here at the apartment and we had plenty of room at the bar. Our anxiety relieved.
July 17-18
The weekend went much too quickly. Lynn and I went down to the Square in Madison for the Farmers’ Market. It was very crowded and not all that enjoyable. I bought some Maple Syrup for Lou and Margaret who have watched my condo back home. We also bought some wonderful cheese from a shop on upper State Street. I took a number of photos of the Market, Capitol, and State Street for this journal, which I will include below. We felt uncomfortable in the large crowds because no one was wearing masks. Although the vaccination rate is high here in Dane County, it still made us nervous. This is the first time I have been to the market in three years and it has not changed at all. The vendors have great products, but the crowds moving in a counter clockwise direction around the square mean that you risk your well being by going against the flow.
Brad and Ann came over for wine and cheese at 5 PM and then we went out to the Great Dane Pub for dinner. It was a nice evening. We had great conversation and the food was tasty. I had a chicken pot pie. Lynn had a hamburger. Ann had a delicious looking steak salad and Brad ordered a chicken finger dish that turned out to be fish.
I had Fr. Rich for a second time on Sunday morning at Queen of Peace. He was marvelous. His homily was on the good shepherd and it was insightful. His approach to the Bible and to his impact on the congregation is not unlike the approach of Richard Rohr. It is such a breath of fresh air to hear the positive message of Jesus Christ rather than the threats and fear instilled by priests elsewhere. So my day started quite well. Lynn and I went to the Farmers’ Market at Edgewood and I bought some Wisconsin Honey for Lou and Margaret. Lynn took off for home shortly after with a stop planned in Lake Geneva.
Ann picked me up for the Sugar River Bike Ride at 11:15 and we met Ren at the New Glarus Depot at noon. We enjoyed a wonderful 8.5 mile bike ride on the trail with some conversation and strategic stops along the way to catch our breath. When we returned, we stopped at Sugar River Pizza for some of their delicious versions of pizza. My margarita with sausage and a very thin crust rated right there with the best I have had anywhere. The coating of mozzarella across the pizza with a drizzle of balsamic was quite special.
I spent a quiet evening at home. Lynn was gone. I was exhausted from the bike ride, but very happy to have resurrected that part of my exercise regimen. And, I have an invitation for golf on Tuesday morning with Jerry. Ann is my social director, and it looks like my final week in Wisconsin will be a busy one, seeing some old friends and continuing my connection to my great traveling friends in Madison.
July 19-20
Monday was a day of rest after a very busy weekend with my sister. I did very little except for spending a little time in the pool, trying to start a new book, and moving about in my car a bit. I had no plans and met no one. I worked on this journal and on the continued refinement of the VV Newsletter due out next week. I made a brat for dinner and it tasted quite good.
Tuesday was a different story. It began with 9 holes of golf with Jerry Rather at Pleasant View Golf Course. We played the "Woods," which Jerry said was the toughest and longest of the 3 nines. It was hilly, long and challenging. I scored only a few strokes better than the rounds that I have played lately. The use of my new hybrid approach to golf was encouraging. I used my 3H, 5H, and 7H enough to know that I am hitting the ball more consistently and longer than in recent years. My short game needs so much work that unless, I do something about that, there is little hope that I can really improve my scores. I have spent some time at the golf range with my new clubs and that work has paid off. Finding a practice green with sand traps and good chipping areas has not been easy, but that Is what I need to do,
We finished a little after 9, so I returned home to spend a little time on my computer. I met Gary Poole for lunch at the Hubbard Ave. Diner in Middleton. Gary and I spend over an hour reminiscing about our childhood and our later lives. Gary has traveled several times for long periods to Australia and Africa. He talked about those experiences and how much fun he had on these excursions. I shared with him my series of travels over the last ten years. We talked about all of the shared experiences of our childhood in Madison. So, it was a session of two old guys talking about the past, about some of the mistakes we have made, and about some of the joys we have gleaned from family, friends, and others. It was an hour well spent.
The rest of my day was routine. I am beginning to ponder the drive home, which begins early Saturday morning. Although I am not looking forward to the drive, I am eager to get home and to get ready for Gina and her family. I have become more worried about the impact of the Delta strand of Covid on Gina's trip, but also my trip to Ireland in September. OAT is still planning to do the trip, but each day the situation in the UK gets worse, so it will be an interesting choice for them to go forward. So, Covid and my concern of having my new passport sent to me on time may cause a change in plans. I made a simple hamburger for dinner and went to bed far too early, which pre-ordained waking up two or three times during the night.
July 22
I began the morning with Pickleball thanks to Ann, Sally, Sara, and Anna. Thanks to Sally who reserved the court at her community, but could not play due to some minor injuries suffered on the court on a previous day. We practiced for 20 minutes and then played two games. I have to learn how to pace myself during a contest to keep my breath under control. So, I was able to play two games without a problem. I owe a big thank you to my Madison friends, and especially Sara for her coaching and encouragement. An added plus to Sara's involvement is that she has an electric bike and showed us the benefits of the technology. Her demonstration also modeled a particular brand and style of bike. I have spent the last couple of days researching electric bikes, so her experience was most helpful in convincing me to take a closer look. All this underlines the fact that I have had a chance to renew some of my past physical activities, i.e, biking, pickle ball and golf. I hope my body can withstand the minor shock of renewing these ways to exercise.
I had Fr. Rich for a second time on Sunday morning at Queen of Peace. He was marvelous. His homily was on the good shepherd and it was insightful. His approach to the Bible and to his impact on the congregation is not unlike the approach of Richard Rohr. It is such a breath of fresh air to hear the positive message of Jesus Christ rather than the threats and fear instilled by priests elsewhere. So my day started quite well. Lynn and I went to the Farmers’ Market at Edgewood and I bought some Wisconsin Honey for Lou and Margaret. Lynn took off for home shortly after with a stop planned in Lake Geneva.
Ann picked me up for the Sugar River Bike Ride at 11:15 and we met Ren at the New Glarus Depot at noon. We enjoyed a wonderful 8.5 mile bike ride on the trail with some conversation and strategic stops along the way to catch our breath. When we returned, we stopped at Sugar River Pizza for some of their delicious versions of pizza. My margarita with sausage and a very thin crust rated right there with the best I have had anywhere. The coating of mozzarella across the pizza with a drizzle of balsamic was quite special.
I spent a quiet evening at home. Lynn was gone. I was exhausted from the bike ride, but very happy to have resurrected that part of my exercise regimen. And, I have an invitation for golf on Tuesday morning with Jerry. Ann is my social director, and it looks like my final week in Wisconsin will be a busy one, seeing some old friends and continuing my connection to my great traveling friends in Madison.
July 19-20
Monday was a day of rest after a very busy weekend with my sister. I did very little except for spending a little time in the pool, trying to start a new book, and moving about in my car a bit. I had no plans and met no one. I worked on this journal and on the continued refinement of the VV Newsletter due out next week. I made a brat for dinner and it tasted quite good.
Tuesday was a different story. It began with 9 holes of golf with Jerry Rather at Pleasant View Golf Course. We played the "Woods," which Jerry said was the toughest and longest of the 3 nines. It was hilly, long and challenging. I scored only a few strokes better than the rounds that I have played lately. The use of my new hybrid approach to golf was encouraging. I used my 3H, 5H, and 7H enough to know that I am hitting the ball more consistently and longer than in recent years. My short game needs so much work that unless, I do something about that, there is little hope that I can really improve my scores. I have spent some time at the golf range with my new clubs and that work has paid off. Finding a practice green with sand traps and good chipping areas has not been easy, but that Is what I need to do,
We finished a little after 9, so I returned home to spend a little time on my computer. I met Gary Poole for lunch at the Hubbard Ave. Diner in Middleton. Gary and I spend over an hour reminiscing about our childhood and our later lives. Gary has traveled several times for long periods to Australia and Africa. He talked about those experiences and how much fun he had on these excursions. I shared with him my series of travels over the last ten years. We talked about all of the shared experiences of our childhood in Madison. So, it was a session of two old guys talking about the past, about some of the mistakes we have made, and about some of the joys we have gleaned from family, friends, and others. It was an hour well spent.
The rest of my day was routine. I am beginning to ponder the drive home, which begins early Saturday morning. Although I am not looking forward to the drive, I am eager to get home and to get ready for Gina and her family. I have become more worried about the impact of the Delta strand of Covid on Gina's trip, but also my trip to Ireland in September. OAT is still planning to do the trip, but each day the situation in the UK gets worse, so it will be an interesting choice for them to go forward. So, Covid and my concern of having my new passport sent to me on time may cause a change in plans. I made a simple hamburger for dinner and went to bed far too early, which pre-ordained waking up two or three times during the night.
July 22
I began the morning with Pickleball thanks to Ann, Sally, Sara, and Anna. Thanks to Sally who reserved the court at her community, but could not play due to some minor injuries suffered on the court on a previous day. We practiced for 20 minutes and then played two games. I have to learn how to pace myself during a contest to keep my breath under control. So, I was able to play two games without a problem. I owe a big thank you to my Madison friends, and especially Sara for her coaching and encouragement. An added plus to Sara's involvement is that she has an electric bike and showed us the benefits of the technology. Her demonstration also modeled a particular brand and style of bike. I have spent the last couple of days researching electric bikes, so her experience was most helpful in convincing me to take a closer look. All this underlines the fact that I have had a chance to renew some of my past physical activities, i.e, biking, pickle ball and golf. I hope my body can withstand the minor shock of renewing these ways to exercise.
I spent the afternoon doing my laundry and beginning to pack for the trip back to Mt. Pleasant on Saturday. I am disappointed about the cancellation of my trip to Ireland, but there is also a sense of relief that the decision has been made. It also takes the pressure off my passport concerns. I decided to pay a visit to Paisan's for dinner. I sat at the bar and had a delicious salad and pizza, but had no conversations of consequences sitting at the bar. I did not sit on the veranda overlooking Lake Monona, but the lake was filled with weeds as I drove by it. The Madison skyline is still beautiful, but the lake looks like it is in trouble.
July 23
This was my last full day in Madison and I began it with a second visit to the Arboretum to walk in a different area and look for additional photos. In essence, this is Volume II of the Arboretum, preceded by Volume I photos back on July 10. My walking exercise had suffered in Madison. I was not keeping up with my usual weekly mileage totals, so I decided to try and get a least a mile in on this walk. Some of the walk was uphill, so it was more of a workout that I get on my flat surface walks in Mt. Pleasant. As I walked, I took a number of photos, displayed in the slideshow below. I thought about mixing these photos with July 10, but this photo shoot happened later and in a totally different section of the arboretum. The Hydrangeas were the main attraction, but the combination of many different trees and bushes, some with colorful blooms made the experience a memorable one as a "Last Day in Madison" experience.
After my walk and photo op, I began to load my car for the trip home. The biggest challenge was my bike, but once the wheel was off, it fit very nicely in the extended back space of my Ford Escape. With the back seats folded down and the front passenger seat moved up, I had plenty of room for the bike, my golf clubs, two cases of Spotted Cow, my suit cases, cooler, and some other odds and ends. All fit nicely, and I had full view out of my rear window. Since I was the only passenger in the car, I did not need anymore seating space. I felt confident that I was ready to leave.
My last event of the trip took place at Quivy's Grove Restaurant where I met the Rathers and the Nelsons for dinner. Quivy's was once a farm, but now they had restored the brick farmhouse and barn into eat in restaurants. They also had tents for outdoor dining. I had the baked cod and it was very good.. We had good conversations with good food and we said our goodbyes at the end of the meal and I was off to get some sleep for the long drive home.
My last event of the trip took place at Quivy's Grove Restaurant where I met the Rathers and the Nelsons for dinner. Quivy's was once a farm, but now they had restored the brick farmhouse and barn into eat in restaurants. They also had tents for outdoor dining. I had the baked cod and it was very good.. We had good conversations with good food and we said our goodbyes at the end of the meal and I was off to get some sleep for the long drive home.
July 24-25: Homeward Bound
I left Madison at 4:35 Central Time on Saturday morning and for the next two days I aimed the car for Mt. Pleasant, SC and traveled onward. I was driving south on Alternate I-39 about 5 AM when I looked out at the rural country side and saw the full moon dressed in an orange glow. There was no traffic around, so I stopped the car and took the following photo with my iPhone 12 Pro camera. It looks like a good shot on the initial photo, but as I began to process it, it sort of lost some of its magic, so here is the unprocessed original. It was the very beginning of a 16.5 hour car ride that would take place over two days and it served as an energizer for facing the long drive. As I get older, these 9 and 10 hour drives on a given day take their toll on this old body. The moon was a shot in the arm. Except for the signature and the transferring of the photo to the website, this is the original photo taken with my iPhone 12 Pro.
I left Madison at 4:35 Central Time on Saturday morning and for the next two days I aimed the car for Mt. Pleasant, SC and traveled onward. I was driving south on Alternate I-39 about 5 AM when I looked out at the rural country side and saw the full moon dressed in an orange glow. There was no traffic around, so I stopped the car and took the following photo with my iPhone 12 Pro camera. It looks like a good shot on the initial photo, but as I began to process it, it sort of lost some of its magic, so here is the unprocessed original. It was the very beginning of a 16.5 hour car ride that would take place over two days and it served as an energizer for facing the long drive. As I get older, these 9 and 10 hour drives on a given day take their toll on this old body. The moon was a shot in the arm. Except for the signature and the transferring of the photo to the website, this is the original photo taken with my iPhone 12 Pro.
I decided to skip Chicago altogether and took I-39 South from Rockford to I-74 then on to Indianapolis. From there, I took i-65 South to Louisville and then on to London, KY where I stopped for the night about 10 hours from my starting time, including stops for gas and a walk around the facility. I stayed in a Quality Inn that was refurbished and was not too bad, considering the price with tax was under a $100.00. The room was small, but the bed was comfortable and it was a good place to stop. I was in time to attend the 5 PM Mass at St. Williams in London and it was a pleasant experience. The priest was a good homilist and I enjoyed the service. Following Mass, I ate at a local grill that was also quite good. No one was wearing masks and distancing was not a common practice. I was given a table in the bar that was a bit separated and I was happy about that. I had an inexpensive sirloin steak dinner that was satisfying and went down easily with a local beer that was of an amber color.
I had a relatively good night sleep of 6 hours and took off the next morning around 6. I still had 7.5 hours ahead of driving time, but it would be through the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee, so it would not be boring as I manipulated the trucks and the other drivers as we twisted and turned around the mountain curves. When I arrived in Ashville, NC, I knew the mountains were over and that I was on the last push towards home.
I-26 is undergoing a great deal of repair and although I was not held up very much, the last leg of my journey was filled with narrowing roads and slight twists to get around the construction. I finally arrived home around 2 PM and was grateful to the image of the moon that had energized me during the drive. This day would have been my 40th Wedding Anniversary. So, I had Terry on my mind. I was invited to Ann Whalen's for drinks with Barb, Don, and Bill; and so it took no time for me to settle back into my routine. I was happy to be at home and looking forward to the visit of my daughter, Gina, and her family in a few days.
Postscript: Why do I like revisiting Madison?
The home of my upbringing through college has fond memories for me. I have detailed above all of the events that I took part in while on my visit and everyone of those and some that I did not get to are the reasons why I try to make an annual trek to my original hometown. The drive is tough, particularly when you are navigating alone. However, I get to see much of this great county as I follow my GPS to Madison. I stay in a great apartment rented on a short term basis that allows me to spend 3-4 weeks in Madison at a fairly reasonable cost. I see some good friends from the far past and from more recent times. I see how all of the homes that I lived in are fairing as they approach multiple decades of life. I visit places from my youth that have great memories. I can ride my bike on incredible bike trails and hike beautiful lakeside areas. The Arboretum is one of those very special places not always found in a city. This is a well preserved piece of land, protected by the University as a marvelous research facility. It offers incredible beauty to walkers, runners, and bikers who choose to traverse its hidden pathways. It is a blessing that it exists and has not been destroyed by development. So, the trip is worth it to me. It provides special moments in these years of retirement which recall very special moments from my childhood and early adulthood. Go Madison and On Wisconsin.
I had a relatively good night sleep of 6 hours and took off the next morning around 6. I still had 7.5 hours ahead of driving time, but it would be through the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee, so it would not be boring as I manipulated the trucks and the other drivers as we twisted and turned around the mountain curves. When I arrived in Ashville, NC, I knew the mountains were over and that I was on the last push towards home.
I-26 is undergoing a great deal of repair and although I was not held up very much, the last leg of my journey was filled with narrowing roads and slight twists to get around the construction. I finally arrived home around 2 PM and was grateful to the image of the moon that had energized me during the drive. This day would have been my 40th Wedding Anniversary. So, I had Terry on my mind. I was invited to Ann Whalen's for drinks with Barb, Don, and Bill; and so it took no time for me to settle back into my routine. I was happy to be at home and looking forward to the visit of my daughter, Gina, and her family in a few days.
Postscript: Why do I like revisiting Madison?
The home of my upbringing through college has fond memories for me. I have detailed above all of the events that I took part in while on my visit and everyone of those and some that I did not get to are the reasons why I try to make an annual trek to my original hometown. The drive is tough, particularly when you are navigating alone. However, I get to see much of this great county as I follow my GPS to Madison. I stay in a great apartment rented on a short term basis that allows me to spend 3-4 weeks in Madison at a fairly reasonable cost. I see some good friends from the far past and from more recent times. I see how all of the homes that I lived in are fairing as they approach multiple decades of life. I visit places from my youth that have great memories. I can ride my bike on incredible bike trails and hike beautiful lakeside areas. The Arboretum is one of those very special places not always found in a city. This is a well preserved piece of land, protected by the University as a marvelous research facility. It offers incredible beauty to walkers, runners, and bikers who choose to traverse its hidden pathways. It is a blessing that it exists and has not been destroyed by development. So, the trip is worth it to me. It provides special moments in these years of retirement which recall very special moments from my childhood and early adulthood. Go Madison and On Wisconsin.