Post Wisconsin Observations

Madison is changing - mostly vertically

They sell beer by the six pack and there has been no apocalypse - contrary to what the beer distributors here think will happen if Pennsylvania were to make that move

If you put in bike lanes, people will bike - trying the converse is neither practical nor responsible

Budget Bicycle Center's service department is disappointing - it shouldn't matter how fancy or unfancy a bike is, you give it the same attention as every other bike.  We took my daughter's bike (which we won in a drawing - it's not fancy) to get the chain tightened and the service guy couldn't even be bothered to get out of his seat to talk to us or even get the ticket.  When we picked it up, they hadn't even bothered to put the training wheels on in a way that the rear tire touched the ground.  I'm actually opposed to training wheels, but they might be right for her.  Either way, we were clearly treated with less than acceptable service because of the pedigree of her bike.  I will not return there on any trip.  I should have gone to the Yellow Jersey where I know the owner values any bike (or at least any customer) to come through his door.


Beer tastes better on the Terrace

The Dane County Farmer's Market is still amazing - how many different beasts can you get jerky from with one circuit?


You need to go to the source to get truly delicious fried cheese curds

There is an art to making a Brat

There is an art to making a Kringle


The best cart (name) I saw - FIBS:  Fine Italian Beef & Sausage (they went with the alternate meaning for that acronym)


There is a much wider variety of beers than just pale ales and IPA's

Woodman's is still the best grocery store around

My new favorite brewery doesn't distribute out of state

What do Kubla Khan and Cheese have in common?

In Madison did Eric find
A tasty cheesy treat well-fried.
Within the cafeteria
Behind the plexiglass clear shield
Held waiting under heat.
So first he asked to have a bowl
And then he tasted new delight.
Crispy with a melted center,
Yellow, not that mozzarella.
Though close cousins the two do be,
A stronger personality –
More individuality.
But oh! That gooey goodness did go know I not
And I did decree within that place that day!
A savage a place as I have ever known
For foodstuffs’ lives depend on fickle students
And their tastes do wax and wane amongst many!
From this place I would save my new favorite treat.
As if in my power it had been to save them
A mighty fountain of my willpower
A deluge in the comment box commenced
Did soon sway the gods themselves to my mind
And within a week fried cheese curds had returned.
That with music loud and long,
I would taste in my mouth,
That crunchy crust, that cheese ooze!
And all who saw would want them then,
And all who smelled them, not resist.
For all who came on fried cheese fed,
And ate the cheese of paradise.