Day 1 - Madison, Wi

I slept about 11 hours again!  Yes!  I think not sleeping my last night in Hannibal was because I actually had to get up and do something.  Is this what not having a job or any responsibility is like? I was surprised to see a flock of wild turkey's out my window when I woke - I'm in the middle of a very nice residential area! 

I started the day at Tuvalu Coffee house for a cold brewed coffee.  I think this is my new thing.  Every one I've had has been very strong but smooth and not bitter at all.  The baristas say that the heat is what makes coffee bitter (who knew!).  I think I need to learn how to make this because my current Airbnb host's coffee maker looks very confusing (OK very intimidating).

I ran by the grocery and found two brands of cold brewed coffee in the refrigerated section; Starbucks and Stok.  I bought the Stok and I'm excited to see if it's at all like the coffee houses.

I wanted to go to the Chazen Museum of Art today, but when I got there I couldn't find a parking spot.  Turns out it's on the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Madison's campus and I suspect students are moving in this week.  Oh well, I'll try later in the week. This sign on campus made me chuckle.  I get stopping and parking, but standing?  College security has seen it all I'm sure

I found a lake shore to enjoy the view for a little bit and then I drove around Madison for a while.  Everywhere I turned there was another UW building.  I finally Googled and turns out the campus is 936 acres!



New word for the day - Limnology, as in University of Wisconsin Center for limnology. Definition; the study of the biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes and other bodies of fresh water.

I ended up at a small library in Verona to finish making a handle for my laptop sleeve and reading. The weather is much colder than in Hannibal and pretty breezy today so sitting outside wasn't as appealing. Tomorrow is supposed to be much nicer.  After hanging out at the library, reading the local and regional newspapers, I realized this should be a part of all my stops.  Librarians would be very helpful in finding local points of interest.

I stop it at farmer's market for cucumbers, tomatoes and some apple butter that was made that morning.  Back to my Airbnb where I meet my hosts roommate, Marka, she is very nice. I still haven't gotten a good picture of the three dogs but hopefully that will happen soon. But for now I'm just going to sit here and enjoy the view, eat my farmer's market finds and read.

My host came home from work and said she received almost 13 inches of rain yesterday!  I knew it was nuts but not that bad.  She said the building where she works flooded....and not with water.  Ugh!

Dinner was at an Indian restaurant. Some really nice vegetable curry (but not as good as Sheena's) and fresh naan bread.  I could have eaten nothing but the bread!  So, so amazing. I've seen several Indian restaurants in the area - I'll be checking them out. 

Before I go to another Indian restaurant I need to do some research.  Here's a pic of what they bring to the table before you order - I have no idea what any of it is. Yes, I ate it and yes, it was good.  I did NOT try the bowl of mouth freshener that was sitting by the door.  I have no idea what that was.  Maybe some caraway and...well I have no clue.  I think I'll stick with my mints



On the way back I stopped by a pub that was having a trivia night.  It was way too crowded to stay so back to my Airbnb to call it an early day.  So looking forward to some better weather tomorrow.  I realize how lucky I was to have such great (albeit hot) weather in Hannibal.

I had two friends reach out to me yesterday, Vicki and Myra, to say they are traveling with me via my blog.  I had no idea anyone was actually reading this....I'll have to start reporting more interesting
things than food and naps. :)