2022 Fall Trip: Wisconsin

Monday, 9/12: 127 miles and camped at Badgerland RV Park, Stoughton, WI

Interstate 39 all the way.

Badgerland RV Park: Site VIP 8.

It was misting rain when we left Nature's Way.  It was only a 2 hour drive today, so we didn't get on the road until 11:30, and then it was an easy Interstate 39 drive.  Badgerland is a new park for us.  It is located very near Madison, Wisconsin's capital and the University of Wisconsin.  The park is water and electric only, but does have a dump station for transients.  Most the sites are seasonal campers, and they all have septic storage units that can be pumped out on an as needed basis.

The reason for our stop here was to visit my cousin Judy and her husband Walt.  Walt is a retired professor from the University, and he gave us a driving tour of the campus.  It is HUGE, with over 45,000 students.  There was new construction going on everywhere.  Later we stopped for an early dinner at the Great Dane Pub and Brewing.  Then back to their house for some more catching up.  Judy is into genealogy and got me caught up on ancestry from my mother's side of the family.   It was a really wonderful time.  In fact, we had such a nice time, I forgot to get a group photo.  Darn!!!!  :-(

Tuesday, 9/13: 124 miles and camped at Lake Emily, Amherst Junction, WI.

Another day of Interstate 39 all the way.

Lake Emily, Site 6.

Again, we had another short, easy 2 hour drive today.  And, the weather has turned warm and sunny.  Lake Emily is a very familiar park for us as we have stayed here many times.  It is electric only, but the sites are large and very wooded.  Our pals Dave and Ann Wright are long, long time friends and live nearby.  I've known them for over 50 years, and although distance has resulted in only occasional visits, each revisit is like picking right up where we left off.  Great, great friends and much humor between us.  We stopped at their house, and then walked a short distance to eat at the nearby Ambrosia Pub and Grill for dinner.  I had the grilled shrimp, while Judy had the taco salad.  Both excellent dinners.  Tomorrow we will do a lot more catching up.

Wednesday, 9/14:

Judy did some research online, and she discovered that we could get the updated COVID Omicron booster at a Walgreens in nearby Waupaca.  We had online reservations for 10:00.  Because we had gotten the previous booster at a Walgreens in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina back in April, all of our insurance information was already in their system, so the entire process was easy.  We weren't there more than 10 minutes.  We made a couple other stops to pick up a few miscellaneous supplies, then back to the camper for lunch and naps.

About 3:00 we headed to visit the Village Gift in downtown Amherst.  Village Gift shop is a project of Tanya (Dave and Ann's daughter).  She offers local foods and crafts, such as honey, maple syrup, soaps, art, jewelry, and thrift clothing.  We did some shopping and left more than a few dollars for the local Amherst economy.  

About 5:00 we rode with Dave and Ann to Sunset Lake.  For many years, a group of locals have met on Wednesdays at Sunset Lake for a weekly pot luck picnic.  Judy and I have been to these gatherings in the past, and have met some wonderful people.  It's always nice to reconnect with this lively, eclectic and very interesting group.  Today was no exception, and the weather was sunny and warm.

Sunset over Sunset Lake.
The red colors are caused by smoke from the western forest fires. 

Thursday, 9/15:

This morning's project is laundry.  RV'ing is not all glamour.  Mundane chores like laundry are still a necessity, although we don't have to worry about mowing the lawn.  :-)  While doing laundry, we did some grocery shopping next door.  After the laundry was finished, we visited the Village Shop one more time to again stimulate the Amherst economy.

Dave and Ann came to the campground for more reminiscing and laughing, followed by sausage, peppers and onions for dinner. 

This truly has been a special visit.  I go back over 50 years with Dave and Ann, and it never ever gets boring.  Our bodies may be aging, but our minds are still young at heart.   :-)

Dave and Ann are going to make one final appearance tomorrow morning for breakfast at the camper, and then we move on to Minnesota to start our Mississippi River adventure.