It has been too long since I last updated everyone but that is because we were just too involved with our days and time just slipped past. I will try to rectify that now and bring everyone up to date. The parade that evening was certainly a highlight and was an awesome ‘midwest moment’ for everyone. The following day was just a lazy day around Sun Prairie with a little shopping, some exploring and a lot of just hanging out with family as it was Megan and the kids last day before heading back home.

Family is the core of this trip and a day spent like this was needed. Friday morning we had some time together for family photos and sad goodbyes as Meg, Ben and Grace pulled out of the driveway.

The time we all spent together was special as it had been far too long since we had all been in one place at the same time. We kept tabs on Megans progress home as they were driving straight through, a 17 hour drive..made safely and without incident.

Family visits are always interesting in that there are moments of pure joy and moments of bickering and moments of laughter that can never be forgotten. All in all this was a fantastic visit and I hope everyone remembers it as fondly as I do.

The Wisconsin DMV..out in the cornfields. . .

That Friday was a day of chores for us there in Sun Prairie. One of the things that needed doing was the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles… Jason needed to convert his Oregon license to a Wisconsin license and he need to get Wisconsin plates on his car.

Well I am guessing procrastination and work obligations had kept this at bay but after Meg and the kids left we headed to the DMV, which seemed to us to be out in the middle of the corn fields. Within what seemed like just a few minutes Jay was back, license and plates in hand. The Wisconsin DMV seemed very efficient. Back home Jason installed his plates and is now an honest Wisconsinite — or cheese head or whatever they call themselves.

A few days before we had gone to city hall and he got his ‘dump sticker’ and he loaded up his car with a lot of yard waste that Carol had generated. So off to the dump he and Carol went. Off to the recycle center to disposed of everything. I think he was very pleased with himself. That evening no one felt like cooking so we headed to Guimos Mexican restaurant for an outstanding meal. Harper was welcome in the restaurant as well. We all had a good time eating great food. Harper had part of my steak burrito, being part Chihuahua she seems to love Mexican food too.

After a good breakfast Saturday morning we went into town, a couple of blocks away, and went to the local Farmers market. It was a fine morning to walk around and shop. Harper and I wandered one direction while Carol and Jason went another. We found a bakery stand and shared a wonderful organic nutty muffin. Harper likes muffins. When I met back up with Jason and Carol they were still scouting veggies. It is nice to have sugh great farmers markets in the area. Although this market isn't as large as the one held in Madison, the convenience of fresh veggies every Saturday only a few blocks away is very nice.

A ride through the countryside heading to Amish country

Back at Jasons we puttered around and worked on a few projects. Plans had been made to spend the afternoon in Amish country with Jason's friend Chris and his mother Barbara. We were off to explore. The drive through the countryside was pleasant as we rolled through one small toun after the other.

We stopped once at a Kwik Trip where Jason bought me a burger, which was delicious. Kwik Trip is a gas station/convenience store and is apparently known for there burgers as well. It was a tasty burger and they are made with absolutely no condiments or fixins’ of any kind - just a burger and bun, and they are meaty and delicious. According to Jason, plain burgers are a thing in Wisconsin.

You can always tell when you get to Amish country.

Once we were moving again, horses and wagons began to appear on the road. Amish country was found. We knew we were close as many of the houses we passed did not have electricity, as there were no wires leading to these houses. Our first stop was at a farm house that was a bakery. I bought bread and Barbara said we must try the donuts, so if we must... the donuts were fantastic of course.

At the bakery, this young man was selling corn.

Then it was off to an Amish nursery. Carol and Barbara and Chris all bought Mums, amazing mums and they were very inexpensive. We loaded the cars. While everyone was shopping the flowers Harper and I were making friends with the children that were running around.

I don’t think this young girl trusted us. . .

Barbara then suggested we stop at the Sassy Cow on the way back for Ice Cream, who am I to argue? As we rolled in to the Sassy Cow we saw a lot of cyclists. Apparently the Sassy Cow is a stop every year for the 'Ride Across Wisconsin' bike ride. This is a two day 235 mile event from LaCrosse to Milwaukee and we just happen to meet up with them a couple of miles north of Sun Prairie. We chatted with a couple of the cyclists as we were looking a very unusual bike. A custom made Trek fat tire bike, very cool.

The ice cream was fantastic as well and Harper made friends as usual. We really like Wisconsin. By days end we were back at the house, mums ready to travel home and at least one trip to Menards before ordering pizza for supper.

Carol and Harper make friends at the Sassy Cow

Sunday morning I got out for another bike ride and saw a bit more of the town and the surrounding area. I also made a stop at the local drug store to pick up a few things. I really enjoy exploring a new area by bicycle as you see the area through different eyes at that pace. Since I got out early I was greeting all the early morning dog walkers and others that were out early. The folks in Sun Prairie are a friendly lot. I rode past the new stadium that the two high schools share, it was pretty amazing for a town of this size.

When I returned we made breakfast and got to work. The projects had all been put off and put off and now we were up against it. I had a table to refinish, doors to fix and house numbers to hang, drawers to repair and so on. First there were the trips to the Home Depot, the Fleet Farm, Menards and True Value Hardware ..all seperate trips of course. I sanded and sanded, rubbed and shellacked.

Of course while shopping other projects began to appear, as window shades, American Flags and stair treads began to fill the baskets. Dust was flying and hammers were pounding, and screws were turning. By days end things were getting accomplished.

I returned to the table giving it a few more sandings and coatings and it began to look more like a table that you might want to sit at. The back door lock got repaired, the trash drawer in the kitchen got fixed, it had been closing poorly. Carol and Jason installed stair treads to the second floor, a shade got installed in the bathroom. I whittled down the flagpole to fit the old existing flag bracket and Jason and I installed a new house number that I had carved as a present.

I am sure there were other things but it was such a flurry that it is a blur. For supper we picked up some burritos from La Rosita, a Mexican restaurant/grocery store, just a few blocks away. I think we were all tired by days end, and morning was going to come too quickly as that was the day we were going to leave.

Below, as usual, is a gallery of images that may or may not make sense. . .

SUBSCRIBE

Latest Posts