I like Wisconsin. I could easily live there.
Over the weekend we went to stay in a remote cottage. It's one of the last things FLW designed.
I thought Drew would like peace, quiet, no phones, no TV. It's on Mirror Lake.
It's my idea of camping, complete with a bed, shower, heat, hot water, stove, Subzero fridge, Thermador oven/micro, Guggenheim collection stoneware, and Kitchenaid cookware.
We drove up 55, picked up 39 in Bloomington, and stopped to eat at the Machine Shed in Rockford.
It's sort of a midwest Cracker Barrell (shopping in the front), but with better food. I'd hate to work there. They have to wear overalls and a hokey red gingham shirt. But the food is good and plentiful. Among the sides from which you can choose are sweet potato fries, which I just love.
Then, we debate on getting gas in IL or WI. As it happens, we get it in Rockford because that seemed easier, but it's cheaper in WI. Then, because the entire section of 39 in Rockford is under construction (and has been for years) the signage is confusing and we end up blowing through the toll. We are clearly not alone, as there are signs for paying your toll on line.
We then stop in Madison at Whole Paycheck for our food. You know, I'm confused by the marketing strategy. Whole Foods stores are always too small and way too crowded. I'm not going to browse and impulse buy if I can't even negotiate my cart. That place was packed, and every one I've ever been in is. If you're out there, Whole Foods, I'll make an effort to shop at Whole Foods if you give me room to do it. In a lot of ways I prefer it and will pay the extra for the food, but not if you make me uncomfortable and stressed out before I get out of the produce section.
Food and beer obtained. We drive about 30-45 more minutes. We get there. We unpack, Andrew gets a fire going, and we eat. The radio in the cottage gets three NPR stations (that's Wisconsin for you). He got some sort of andouille sausage, I got spinach and feta (they were chicken, but it's still sausage -- it is Wisconsin, you know). I relax, and then fall fast asleep (since I got little the night before, because someone who snores doesn't think he has a problem).
I get up, make some joe on a coffeemaker just like the one I have, except there are no filters. But that's why God invented paper towels. I watch the sun rise through the many windows as I pad around on the heated slate floor.
In leisurely time Andrew gets up. He cooks breakfast (oats, eggs, sausage, juice, coffee). He goes fishing. I read, knit, do crosswords, sip tea. He returns and naps, despite having slept for nine hours already. I don't understand sleeping much more than 7 or 8 hours.
I fix a bit of soup, some salad, some cheese, and leftover sausage for a snack.
He fishes, I read, knit, and do crosswords.
We fix dinner. We eat dinner. We sit before the roaring fireplace. We read.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......................................................................
We get up the next morning, make breakfast (french toast, juice, cocoa, eggs). We have to leave. Boo.
We stop north of Madison for cheese. This was his idea, interesting since when we first met he couldn't understand why anyone ate so much cheese. But then, Dad turned him on to the meat sticks and string cheese, and I got him turned on to curds.
The first place, Ehlenbach's, is closed.
We find the Mousehouse.
The proprietor is a nice man, and recommends a few things. We leave with cheese and meat.
And so, to home. At least I got the hour that spring stole back.
