On the time warp trail
I gave myself a long weekend from Starbucks to enjoy the farmer's market on Saturday and to play at a Memorial Day service with my community band (more on that later). Description (including pics) below the cut)
Saturday was gloomy and humid, but the market was fun. Busy, though, and some proud father decided that his 2-year old daughter should walk by herself admist the the crowds. Disconcerting and annoying, because she came to full stops and wove through people carrying her WPT (Wisconsin public television) auction balloon. We strolled down State Street and browsed at the MMOCA gift shop and glanced in at the display. We didn't keep track of our meter, so we had to be brief. Our longer stop was at A Room of One's Own, Madison's feminist bookstore. I bought Fun Home by Alison Bechdel in paperback and was directed to admire the comic she had penned for the store a few years before. Very cool. They re-did the layout of the store, which works out well, although I was a little disoriented the first time I visted after the change. After a lazy afternoon of movies.
kissmeimjewish went to Brat fest and I was left home on my own. It was so strange, because I had so little to do. I was bored and lonely for the first time in a while. It reminded me that I need to keep busy to be happy. I did make myself a happy dinner that she wouldn't eat (tilapia, mustard greens, and sweet potato) and took a lovely walk. It eventually rained.
Sunday was perfect! We got up and out of the house in a timely manner, all packed up for half a day of hiking, potential kayaking, and picknicking. We drove about an hour away to Mirror Lake State Park, which is close to Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo. The lovely park is much more low key than Devils Lake. We went hiking, planning on following the east loop trail to the west loop trail (connected by the time warp trail). Well, this lovely park's staff has not moved their trails. We lost the time warp trail, ironically and ended up in a basin of long grass surrounded by tall vegetation and trees. I was told to look confused for the camera, but was unsuccessful.
kissmeimjewish had the look down a bit better.
After we eventually made our way out and onto part of the trail we headed to the west loop trail, only to find it covered with rather tall grass. We did see some gorgeous butterflies though! By this time, I was hungry for our picnic and we weren't too keen on continuing on a trail that might disappear. So, we headed back to finish the East loop. We decided, for time's sake (I had to tutor at 3), that instead of renting a kayak, we would just people watch. The watching was great! The beach at Mirror Lake is a popular breeding ground for frogs, so the shallow areas were teeming with tiny black tadpoles. Kids delighted in scooping them up, and some "tween" girls enjoyed tossing them out into deeper waters.
On our way home we stopped at the home of the Cow Pie, because we'd never visited. Cow Pie is a type of candy made from chocolate, caramel, and nuts (like a turtle). Lots of candy, rather cheap actually, was to be had, although we abstained from huge purchases.
We finished our lovely day with grilling eggplant and Mahi Mahi (fish), roasting marshmallows and enjoying cupcakes on our patio.
Monday was gray again. We visited our parents for brunch. I played with the VFW community band at a memorial service at the Alliant Energy Center. The concert was my last with this band, which is too old for me. I'm also unhappy with the directors gift for gab and the music, which we only read twice before performing for our mostly deaf audience of nursing home residents. I'm looking into a younger band for next season. The service was long and included lots of dignitaries that I could hear but not see. I visited Brat Fest (the largest brat eating experience) beforehand for my free boca brat (included with the concert). My first Brat Fest, I enjoyed watching all the people enjoy their brats. Definitely a Wisconsin cultural experience. We concluded our weekend with cleaning, helping our parents with chores at their house, and a quick dinner.
It was a really nice weekend.
Saturday was gloomy and humid, but the market was fun. Busy, though, and some proud father decided that his 2-year old daughter should walk by herself admist the the crowds. Disconcerting and annoying, because she came to full stops and wove through people carrying her WPT (Wisconsin public television) auction balloon. We strolled down State Street and browsed at the MMOCA gift shop and glanced in at the display. We didn't keep track of our meter, so we had to be brief. Our longer stop was at A Room of One's Own, Madison's feminist bookstore. I bought Fun Home by Alison Bechdel in paperback and was directed to admire the comic she had penned for the store a few years before. Very cool. They re-did the layout of the store, which works out well, although I was a little disoriented the first time I visted after the change. After a lazy afternoon of movies.
kissmeimjewish went to Brat fest and I was left home on my own. It was so strange, because I had so little to do. I was bored and lonely for the first time in a while. It reminded me that I need to keep busy to be happy. I did make myself a happy dinner that she wouldn't eat (tilapia, mustard greens, and sweet potato) and took a lovely walk. It eventually rained.
Sunday was perfect! We got up and out of the house in a timely manner, all packed up for half a day of hiking, potential kayaking, and picknicking. We drove about an hour away to Mirror Lake State Park, which is close to Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo. The lovely park is much more low key than Devils Lake. We went hiking, planning on following the east loop trail to the west loop trail (connected by the time warp trail). Well, this lovely park's staff has not moved their trails. We lost the time warp trail, ironically and ended up in a basin of long grass surrounded by tall vegetation and trees. I was told to look confused for the camera, but was unsuccessful.
kissmeimjewish had the look down a bit better.
After we eventually made our way out and onto part of the trail we headed to the west loop trail, only to find it covered with rather tall grass. We did see some gorgeous butterflies though! By this time, I was hungry for our picnic and we weren't too keen on continuing on a trail that might disappear. So, we headed back to finish the East loop. We decided, for time's sake (I had to tutor at 3), that instead of renting a kayak, we would just people watch. The watching was great! The beach at Mirror Lake is a popular breeding ground for frogs, so the shallow areas were teeming with tiny black tadpoles. Kids delighted in scooping them up, and some "tween" girls enjoyed tossing them out into deeper waters.
On our way home we stopped at the home of the Cow Pie, because we'd never visited. Cow Pie is a type of candy made from chocolate, caramel, and nuts (like a turtle). Lots of candy, rather cheap actually, was to be had, although we abstained from huge purchases.
We finished our lovely day with grilling eggplant and Mahi Mahi (fish), roasting marshmallows and enjoying cupcakes on our patio.
Monday was gray again. We visited our parents for brunch. I played with the VFW community band at a memorial service at the Alliant Energy Center. The concert was my last with this band, which is too old for me. I'm also unhappy with the directors gift for gab and the music, which we only read twice before performing for our mostly deaf audience of nursing home residents. I'm looking into a younger band for next season. The service was long and included lots of dignitaries that I could hear but not see. I visited Brat Fest (the largest brat eating experience) beforehand for my free boca brat (included with the concert). My first Brat Fest, I enjoyed watching all the people enjoy their brats. Definitely a Wisconsin cultural experience. We concluded our weekend with cleaning, helping our parents with chores at their house, and a quick dinner.
It was a really nice weekend.