WISCONSIN

[Insensitivemonster]

Headed back at the end of May - first weekend of June. 

We'll be in Madison for the most part, but sounds like chances are high we'll be in the Dells for a day or two and possibly High Lake (at my aunt and uncle's cabin on the lake) 

I want to go to the Circus Museum in baraboo (is it worth it at all? I haven't been in years)


 and possibly the freshwater fishing hall of fame.


and hopefully bay beach. (who doesn't love a burlap sack slide.. ouch! ouch! ouch! ouch!)

Am I right to think that the mosquitos will be thick, and it will be too cold to swim?

Any recommendations for the following:

Food, Thrift Stores, Weird shit.

[Insensitivemonster]

Maybe LaCrosse for the world's largest six pack?




And of course I will be making a trip to a funeral home on the west side of Madison to take another tour through Sam Sanfillippo's taxidermy collection

[Insensitivemonster]

And Ella's deli for a Reubin

[Quincy Hoist]

Maybe LaCrosse for the world's largest six pack?




And of course I will be making a trip to a funeral home on the west side of Madison to take another tour through Sam Sanfillippo's taxidermy collection

Good luck on the funeral home. A friend of mine just finished grad school here and convinced the dude to let him check out the taxidermy before he moved for his post-doc, but he said that the guy reeaaaalllly didn't want to do it and that the taxidermy museum is now supposedly restricted to people who are using the facilities to host a corpse.

Late May / early June will hopefully be too early for the worst of the mosquitos, but also probably "a bit cold" for swimming in lakes... though the algae will not be out yet, so it is probably actually your best time to do so.

[k.]

If you are gonna make it up to Bay Beach, let Tina and I know and we'll grill out some brats there and go on some rides with ya.

[Insensitivemonster]

Maybe LaCrosse for the world's largest six pack?
And of course I will be making a trip to a funeral home on the west side of Madison to take another tour through Sam Sanfillippo's taxidermy collection

Good luck on the funeral home. A friend of mine just finished grad school here and convinced the dude to let him check out the taxidermy before he moved for his post-doc, but he said that the guy reeaaaalllly didn't want to do it and that the taxidermy museum is now supposedly restricted to people who are using the facilities to host a corpse.

Late May / early June will hopefully be too early for the worst of the mosquitos, but also probably "a bit cold" for swimming in lakes... though the algae will not be out yet, so it is probably actually your best time to do so.

That's odd.  I've never had a problem scheduling a tour of the basement (even fairly last minute requests have been granted).  I simply call the funeral home, ask if it would be ok to tour the basement. They give me times that it's ok, and I simply show up.  I've even brought friends and family members (my great aunt got a big kick out of it). 

You've got to be SUPER respectful and patient. (especially if they happen to be talking to a family).. but they have always been kind enough to send me down there, ask if i wanted everything "turned on" (there are a few displays that are animated like the squirrels on a ferris wheel and the muskee chasing a lure).. and I say yes, and then they let me (and others) wander around. 

Never been denied, and they've always been super nice about it. The original owner (Sam) is an old drinking buddy of my dad's.. but I have yet to meet him. 

First time I was ever there was over 20 years ago for my cousin's funeral. The taxidermy room was also the smoking room.. pretty odd experience.

[Insensitivemonster]

I see that the roadside america site has it listed as 'not open to the public'. 

Something may have happened in the past year to make them stop allowing people to check it out. That's too bad, because it's a pretty amazing display.

I hope the freshwater fishing hall of fame takes it on once Sam passes away.

[Quincy Hoist]

Yeah, it is a recent change. That said, my friend did manage to go, and that was in February, so they do make exceptions. If you've got a family hookup than I would think you can find a way in. That same friend wanted to schedule a trip there for my bachelor party last summer but I think we realized that we would not be able to maintain proper decorum, so we went to a shooting range instead.

I am trying to think of other weird stuff to do that is relatively new in Madison (since I know you come back semi-regularly) but am drawing a blank. Not to say it ain't there... I am just kind of a homebody at the moment and am more thinking about my move away from here than what's actually going on. You could always rent one of the big floating porches from the East Side Supper Club and have a cookout ON lake Monona, but I think that is kind of pricey.

Unless you're going to La Crosse for other reasons, not sure that the huge 6 pack is worth the full drive, even from the Dells it's over an hour to get there. Some nice landscape there, by WI standards, but, uh, the bluffs ain't exactly impressive by Bay Area standards...

[Insensitivemonster]

Yeah, it is a recent change. That said, my friend did manage to go, and that was in February, so they do make exceptions. If you've got a family hookup than I would think you can find a way in. That same friend wanted to schedule a trip there for my bachelor party last summer but I think we realized that we would not be able to maintain proper decorum, so we went to a shooting range instead.

I don't blame them for turning people down. It's definitely NOT a place to bring a big group (especially a big rowdy group). It's in the basment of an operating funeral home. They are letting you in during regular business hours (NOT during funerals), and there is always a chance that they will be talking to clients when you arrive.   I'm SUPER polite when I call and when I arrive.  The last time I went (approx 1 year ago), they were super cool about it.  When we showed up, they were obviously meeting with a family, so we waited patiently (and quietly) in the lobby.   

I've been there at least 3 times in the past 3 years.. never had to drop the family connection (the current owners don't really give a shit I'm sure)... but one never knows when things change.

[Insensitivemonster]

the bluffs ain't exactly impressive by Bay Area standards...

   Belive me, I know what I'm getting into. Last time I went to the Dells I thought it was hilarious. I can't wait to go back and get a FULL EXPERIENCE (I love water parks. Dave will HATE IT)

Being there for a week means more time to waste doing silly roadtrips across the state.  Sounds like we'll be 'up north' for a few days. I look forward to pillaging your thrift stores.

[bradx]

give a holler if you make it to my area, we're about a half hour south of green bay on the lake michigan shoreline.

[Swampy]

I'm from Wisconsin. Hell, I AM Wisconsin! You wanna do Wisconsin beyond that Dells shit, hit me up! Stock car races, fishing, beer, cheese, etc...

[bradx]

oh yeah, not many mosquitos in late may early june, and you might be able to swim some inland lakes by early june if we have a warm one...

[Insensitivemonster]

I'm from Wisconsin. Hell, I AM Wisconsin! You wanna do Wisconsin beyond that Dells shit, hit me up! Stock car races, fishing, beer, cheese, etc...

Last time I came out we hit at least 3 casinos, made a quick trip through the Dells, saw a civil war re-enactment, went canoeing across lake wingra, and I forgot what else. 

Not really a fan of fishing, stock car races, or beer.  I'm sure we'll hit up some farms and get super fresh squeaky cheese.  I'll let you all know if we end up in your neck of the woods.

[ADAMK]

Zippin Pippin opens at Bay Beach at the end of May.  Elvis's favorite roller coaster is only 5 tickets.  Super down for having a big GB blowout if you can make it, Missy!  It'd be nice to see K. and meet his ol' lady too.