My desire to see all the states still remains. Currently, there is a car commercials with a young woman on the same quest. I have no doubt that there are many out there with the same itch. I have met a few on my travels and everyone has their own interpretation of what a "visit" means. For some, driving through counts, for others it is a layover in an airport. I know someone that wants to go for a dip in a river or lake in all the states. For me - my quest is to create a memory in each state. I want to see something, do something. I want to be able to tell anyone that asks what I have done in any state on the list. Now, some states I cover better than others, but so far I have remained true to my rules (otherwise I would have 3 less states on my to-do list).
It has been almost a year since I knocked Arkansas off my list. It is time to pick a new target, so I started planning. Next month, I will be taking myself on a one week journey. I am visiting the lands of cheese and corn - I am headed to Wisconsin and Iowa. Yeah me!!!!
Now I know some of you may be laughing but I have a full fledged trip planned. I am headed in all directions in Wisconsin and will cross the border twice into Iowa for two different experiences. The plan is to touch as many cornerstones of my travel wishes as possible. First up will be a visit to 2 national park units - Apostle Islands in Wisconsin and Effigy Mounds in Iowa. To counterbalance, I will be soaking up city culture in Milwaukee and Madison. My love of aquatic life will be quenched by visits to three aquarium like facilities - the Great Lakes Center (Ashland, WI), the Mississippi River Aquarium (Dubuque, Iowa) and the state aquarium in Milwaukee, as well as tours of the islands. I plan for art in Milwaukee and Dubuque Iowa; I plan for history in Mineral Springs and Bayfield. The sports lover in me hopes to get a turn this trip because I hope to grab a seat at the Brewers game (they are playing the Cubs). I plan to go hiking and maybe kayaking. I hope to be spooked and informed on a ghost tour in Bayfield. And then I found some quirky stuff to visit- the National Mustard Museum in Middleton and a troll lined Main Street in Mount Hoerob. Fun shopping from local artisians and urban neighborhoods should fill some evenings. And of course, I plan to stop throughout Cheeseland to visit Cheese-making stores and Creameries.
I know it is a lot of driving and an ambitious goal for a week... but I think I can do it all. And with these states, I will be left with 6 states on my list. The Great Lakes is my greatest cluster, so Wisconsin and Iowa will be a great accomplishment. I hope to comeback with many pictures and stories... and then I will be ready for one of those vacations where you sleep on the beach all day!
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