Greetings, dear prophets and those of you tossed by the waves upon the shores of the Great Orange Cesspool. You've found a spot on the site where Biden''s age doesn't matter any more than it did 4 years ago. Why, it's a stretch of sand on the beach unclaimed! So pitch your umbrella, plop down your tote bag and get ready for more of Marko's summer vacation photos.
Not that this needs context, but, in keeping up the illusion of a series, here’s a link to Part I.
It was Saturday, our second full day in America, our second day in Madison. We were still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the hospitality of our friends.
I mean, we took over somebody's house and left feeling like they thought it was an honor to have helped us.
We got a fairly early start. I drove downtown and I parked at one of my favorite free spots and walked through James Madison Park.
The water was extra high in Lake Mendota. The waves washing over the walk would leave a few tiny fish stranded and flopping. Maybe baby bass? #2 Son and I helped some get back in the water.
We walked up to the Capitol building and I fulfilled my little pilgrimage by laying down in the center of the floor of the rotunda and taking a photo of the interior of the dome.
“Fighting Bob” La Follette!
After wandering about the building we met up with my step-nephew and walked through the Farmer's Market
Gourds!
We purchased bratwurst, cheese curds, spicy cheese bread, white popcorn, tomatoes, scones …
Then we made our way down State Street and engaged in a bit of shopping and nostalgia.
Marko the Werelynx poses in front of the old door to the studio space he rented for a couple of years.
At the bottom of State lies Library Mall—not so many years ago, fascists had posted signs forbidding people from entering the fountain. No sign of signs and yeah, I went in.
So many memories, so many nights spent on State Street. So much changed, so many boarded up store fronts. But there was still a favorite old restaurant where we could get a gyro for lunch, a great little music store was worth poking around in for a few purchases and the first used book store I'd ever been to— where I bought Orwell's 1984 and Mad's Don Martin Steps Out in 6th grade, was still there and I finally bought myself a James Thurber book!
Eventually, we returned to the Capitol. It was time we went up in the dome and out to enjoy views over the city.
And views down onto the rotunda floor
On the way back to ground level, I glimpsed this odd collection of figures getting their photo taken. No clue who they were or if they were putting on a show that evening.
But for a time, our time in Madison was done. We said our goodbyes with my step-nephew and headed north and next week I'll take up the story from there.
Thanks for stopping by.
This is an open thread.