Madison Trip Day 1
I guess if I need mending done, I should take a trip. I just fixed a blazer that had been on my mending list all summer long.
A gray and drizzly day. Well hmm. I was waiting at the wrong bus stop for the bus and missed it. (To be fair, the bus stop is kind of hidden. And you need to go away from downtown to go downtown. Bus logic :)) I went back up to the room to use the washroom and have a sip of soda and a cookie.
This time, I got the right bus. My brain went into vapor lock and I couldn't think of the word for "transfer," but the bus driver gave me a transfer anyway. The second bus that I got took me downtown. However, we were heading towards the Capitol Building (my stop) but there was a detour and the bus turned, and I panicked and got off the bus. Only to find that I was five blocks from the Capitol Building.
So I started walking. Whoever built the state capitol decided to build it on a hill so that everyone would know that it's an Important Building. This flatlander isn't used to trudging up hills. I made a small detour to the public library to check it out (so to speak), and it was very nice. The downtown area is very well kept up. There is money in this town.
When I got to the Capitol, I turned and walked to Monona Terrace, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Well, I got a view of the back of it, but realized that you'd need to be on Lake Monona to see the front of it. (There is a way to drive there, but I was high above it.) Lake Monona was as gray as the sky.
Then I walked over to the State Street pedestrian mall/shopping area. I didn't find anything to buy, thank goodness. I did find the breakfast all-day restaurant. I got french toast and gobbled it up. Sitting at a table there is great for people-watching. Lots of people wearing UW clothes. I could see coming there for Saturday brunch and watch the world go by.
People are very polite here. People on the bus thanked the driver as they left and some people did the same in the restaurant.
I kept on walking. The closer to the university, the more packed the street was and the more that the shops consisted of restaurants and bars.
Then I spied a poke place. I hadn't planned on getting dinner out, but I couldn't resist getting carry out.
Then I was just done. I had planned to walk over to Lake Mendota on the UW campus, but I was tired of the crowds, and my legs and back hurt. So I ordered a Lyft to take me back to the hotel. The poke bowl was wafting tantalizing smells all the way back.
The upshot is that I'd like to go back when the weather is nicer.
And now this old tired lady needs a nap. Boy, I really conked out.
Talked to Mom, who was really interested in my trip. We both agree that Madison has promise, but I really need to go when the weather is better. We were talking about the fires on one coast of the country and floods on the other, and maybe the Midwest is the place to be. I also told her about how nice the people are here, which had her reminiscing about "Minnesota nice".
Pictures! A pretty church garden:
The Wisconsin Capitol Building:
Lake Monona:
x-posted from Dreamwidth