The Wisconsin state capitol is magnificent - certainly the most impressive architecture of any state house we've seen.
The interior is beautiful as well. Unfortunately, the Wisconsin Senate and House were not in session and so didn't entertain us with the brilliance of their statesmanship.
It's strange how we remember certain details of that first big motorhome trip even as we've forgotten so many more substantial facts. We both recall the great gouda cheese we bought seven years ago at a cheese shop across the street from the state capitol. We found that store again and remain impressed by the variety and quality of their cheeses, both foreign and regional. By the way, Wisconsin produces a wide variety of cheeses - not just those cheddars you see on the heads of Packers fans.
I'm sure it's unnecessary, but Nancy insisted that I clarify that that is not her at the display case.
The University of Wisconsin is in downtown Madison. On the campus at the end of State Street is a food truck mall where you find about twenty food trucks serving exotic carryout meals from around the world.
It was invigorating to be in that collegiate environment among all those students who looked about fifteen years old. Nancy and I thought we fit in perfectly.
The Wisconsin campus is great looking, with a number of distinctive buildings. The university library there is enormous - certainly the biggest I've ever explored. As an example, we found an entire floor of books in oriental languages. Wikipedia tells me that this is the seventeen largest library in the US, just behind Stanford, and contains 8,500,000 volumes.
We have been fans of a specialty of the area, deep fried cheese balls, ever since we tried a dish of them at a restaurant during our visit to Lambeau Field last Monday. Yesterday Nancy googled "deep fried cheese balls near me" and found them on the menu at a hole-in-the-wall called Sweet Home Wisconsin. Her hot dog and my burger were excellent, but them fried balls were delectable! Probably not to be found at restaurants outside Wisconsin and Minnesota, but man, deep fried cheese balls are a major culinary invention. Unhealthy, yes, but life is too short to deny yourself if you ever find them on a menu. Trust me on this.
We are indeed fans of this area. Nancy says that she might want to live here if global warming ever made the Wisconsin winters mild.
Yesterday was Nancy's birthday. A gentleman never reveals the age of a lady, and neither will I. What I will reveal, though, is that she becomes more dear to me with each passing year.
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