Spring break has been a mixed bag. We came home early due to a combo of sickness and boredom.
Day one: On Wednesday we managed to avoid the Dells. Sure, we checked into our motel but then jumped back into the car and took off for Madison. Which was just the thing. The first leg of our journey had been bleak and sleet-filled but as soon as we approached Madison the clouds parted and all was bright, sunny skies. We arrived in late afternoon with time to wander the Atwood neighborhood before dinner. And just so happened upon a vegan-friendly chocolatier where I picked up this amazing chocolate bunny RIDING A ROOSTER?! Lao Laan-Xang was as splendid as I remembered from my last visit (in 2005). I had a flavorful curry while my son was able to get bland sides - steamed veggies, fried tofu and rice - just the way he likes it, and for less than half the price of an entree. Sadly it all went downhill when I subjected myself to the dreadful Bedtime Stories (the only Adam Sandler film I’ve ever enjoyed was Punch-Drunk Love). Back at the motel we turned in for the night, only to find the bed about as stable as laying atop a jello mold. Much more noticeable when sharing a bed with a squirmy nine year old. And most hotels have those wonderfully heavy blackout drapes over the windows. Not this one. Our room’s window was at the end of the driveway so every time headlights flooded the room I had dreams I was floating towards the light. Bonus? The boy was coughing up his lungs half the night.
Day two: On Thursday, sleep-deprived and cranky, our first full day at the Dells was spent mustering up the energy for Mount Olympus. A proper breakfast may have helped him but the kid refused to eat the hotel’s vegan buckwheat pancakes. Because they weren’t like mine. I’d be flattered if it weren’t so frustrating. Vegan breakfast options = the main reason I chose that place. Anyhow. First we hit up the indoor water park, Then, after resting up with the Cartoon Network, we returned for a moderately amusing evening at the amusement park.
Day three: Friday was full of promise. We woke to better weather and piled in the car. Destination, Spring Green and the strangeness of the House on the Rock. The creepiness factor would have scared the bejeesus out of me when I was a kid, but the boy seemed as intrigued by it as I was. And he was fairly patient, only urging me a bit when I took up position in any one place for too long with my camera. Unfortunately I’d forgotten to recharge the batteries for my external flash. And even worse? By the end of our self-guided tour it was obvious, he was feeling truly unwell. A sure sign? He only ate half a granola bar for lunch. We completely skipped Taliesin and the drive back to the motel was quiet. There was more resting. He perked up some when we ventured out to dinner at the strangely vegan-friendly Cheese Factory. But he perked up the most when, over dinner, he asked if we could go home. And I said yes. So we packed up and headed home last night. I raced back without a single stop and had us tucked into our own beds by 10pm.
I wouldn’t say the trip was a complete failure (though I did fail to pack his Nintendo DS or any art supplies) but it wasn’t one of our best. And now we’re both vaguely ill and lethargic. Skipping this evening’s art openings and friends’ birthday celebrations by pretending I’m still out of town. Opting to lay in bed, listening to Alien Lanes, while catching up on some To Do list action items, contemplating a shower and looking forward to watching a new episode of Bones later on. Oh the excitement.
Bonus: Daydreaming of future - and hopefully more successful - travel plans. I am still on board for ATP in NY but the lineup for All Points West is also most tempting. If only I had infinite resources/time/a full-time traveling nanny. Oh what a wonderful world it would be!
Plus: Two people who are very important to me are both away at the moment. One is in Atlanta for a job interview (which I have mixed feelings about) and hopefully a visit to the Cyclorama. The other is on a road trip around the upper midwest, following Morrissey. And we’ll be seeing his show in Minneapolis Monday night. Hey, something to look forward to. Whadya know.
And: There are just 48 days until the next World Beard and Moustache Championships. The kid has shown a newfound fascination with facial hair but I don’t think he’ll be a contender. This year.
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Yes, House on the Rock IS creepy as hell. Even as an adult. And just when you think you’ve made it through the house, you’re routed into SEVEN multi-tiered WAREHOUSES full of more creepy stuff. I was there in 2006 and I think I barely made it through one of the warehouses before utilizing an emergency exit. Ick. Ick, ick, ick.
Ahh, some people do have a very strong reaction to the overwhelming weirdness. I’m not sure if it’s better or worse that we went through when no one else was in the joint. But we did make it all the way through.
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