Fun day in Wisconsin

Of course I had to stop at one of the cheese stands that beckoned yesterday!  We tasted and then stocked up on some really good cheese.  One was a Havarti with peppadews, those wonderful little hot sweet peppers that are popping up on all the olive bars.

 We finally got underway, and  Wisconsin did surprise me after all, as the wide farmland turned into hills and some rock cliffs as we skirted the Wisconsin Dells.  I had asked about visiting there, and was told "it's busy!!"  Turns out what I expected to be a big natural area is clogged with water parks and tourist attractions.  We could have taken an exit off the road, and taken a boat ride, but again....another time.

 I did , however, insist that we get off for Buffalo Phils.  Thanks to Fran, who sent me an article, I recognized it as a restaurant that serves food on a model train!!  Now,  how could we not go???  Clem was nervous about getting off the highway with the motorhome, but I insisted, figuring  if it was such a tourist area, it must be wide and high enough for us, or in the worst case, we could stop, unhook and back up! We did just fine, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as did I.  He was soon taking pictures with his phone and sending them to his train buddies.

What a super place for a family to vacation!  Buffalo Phils was HUGE, not the quaint little place I had expected. When the train is not delivering food, it comes around with toys, and the kids get buffalo horn hats.  Yes, I kind of wanted one, but didn't ask.  I did, however, get my ice cream delivered in a train box!  And the back of the place is a huge arcade, with the biggest blow up bouncing surface I have ever seen.   There is a Great Wolf in addition to several other water parks, and more.  But we had our dessert and took off.


We skipped a few possible adventures and enjoyed the beautiful scenery right into Minnesota.  As we crossed the state line, we also crossed the Mighty Mississippi.  Wow!  Beautiful!  Pretty wide at that point, and little islands.....quite a sight!

 Our waiter Antoine, was all for joining in the fun when I asked if I could take his picture.

Our travel day today has been very pleasant, with lots of pretty things to see, instead of the monotony that can sometimes accompany travel on highways.   Steinbeck mentioned in "Travels with Charlie"  that one day you would be able to drive clear across country, and not see a thing.  How right he was.  I drove all day, so no photos out moving windows!  Clem really needs to pick up the slack, don't you think???  :-)