Monday, August 24, 2009

Marsh-Mellow Acres

The last weekend Kim and I were in Wisconsin we took a trip to "the land" near Sauk City. Always a much anticipated part of journeying to Wisconsin, this mini camping excursion to meet Kim's college gang, for a yearly reunion, and hang out with family and friends is always a blast. This year the weather was peculiarly cool with temperatures in the 60's and 70's, so swimming wasn't particularly inviting. We spent most of our short time sitting around the campfire sharing stories.

Here are some photographic highlights of the trip...

View of the Wisconsin River
Snapping turtles
Dad with the naughties Linus and Spencer
The big top tent in the woods
Randy off to inspect the troops ;-)
When is spaghetti night?
Hey Linda nice catch!
Mid summer storm is coming...unseasonably cool
Sunset camping, need I say more? Beautiful
Until next year friends, we think of you often and can't wait to see you again!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Wisconsin brood

Family snapshot potpourri from Madison.

Jordon









Garry - Pop









Kim & Cris
David - Dad
Janet - Mom & Cris
Aunt Patti & Kim
Uncle Don
The Elskamp's (Janet, Mary Ann, Eddie, Elaine, Patti & Tari)
Shelly & Jordan
Aunt Patti & Jennifer

Thursday, August 13, 2009

House on the Rock

So whilst in Madison, Kim and I took off one day and had a romantic outing to ourselves. We drove to the House on the Rock in Spring Green which is about 2 hours outside of Madison. I had no idea what to expect and Kim didn't exactly clue me in either.

This place is just indescribable and I won't be able to do it justice.

"The House on the Rock is the grand vision of Alex Jordan, who believed that sights and sounds were the most effective means of stimulating the senses. He wanted guests to question his creation, to come to their own conclusions and to turn his world of dreams into their own. The Attraction has room after room of some of the world's most unique and eclectic collections" The House on the Rock

You can find more history and information about this place here and here too. I'll just let the pictures and videos speak for themselves. A playground for all or your worst claustrophobic nightmare? I thought of it as a Disneyland for adults, but you decide.

The House - Outside view









The Infinity Room - Above from the inside









The Water Mill - Part of the Mill House












The following pictures are from the insides of the buildings...

The Main House - The ladies bathroom

The steam train

One of the many carousel horses in the Carousel Room

One of many many curious autamata - depicting ghoulish and deathly themes

The Music of Yesterday - Franz Josef (Buy lots of tokens)

The Carousel Room - Told to be the World's Largest (Amazing)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A view from the car

Well now that I'm done with all of my summer excursions, I thought I'd catch everyone up with some of my goings-on. I won't bombard everyone with everything at once, but merely a daily dose and minor highlights.

Here are some photos of our drive out to Madison. I had a lot of fun with my new Cannon PowerShot SX110 IS camera.

Somewhere over the rainbow in Southern Utah









Starting the climb up the Colorado Rockies









Colorado river cut out









Anyone for a fluffy white cloud?









Green & lush Colorado

Perfect canvas for a great shot...Colorado Rockies