After our time in
Sauk City, we decided to revisit a few of our old haunts. I have always loved taking the
Merrimac Ferry across the Wisconsin River. I can't remember the first time I took it, but I do know that we made several crossings with the girls as they were growing up. I also remember as they got older, they didn't enjoy waiting for the ferry, this was about the same time they lost their patience with scenic routes. One time when we were returning home from the Dells, I told John and the girls that I wanted to take the ferry. I looked on the map and told John how to get to the ferry stop. He conveniently missed the turn off and all three of them seemed too happy to me for it to have been a mistake!
I was very happy that John agreed to take the ferry today on way from
Sauk City to the Dells. We actually took it the opposite way this time so instead of starting in
Merrimac, we ended up in
Merrimac. We had to wait about a half hour in a long line of ferry riders. It is quite the business. People turn off their cars and hang out waiting for their turn to get on the ferry. It is so worth the wait when you drive on and take the five minute ride. A definite Wisconsin summer activity.
After getting off the boat, we made our annual trek to Wisconsin Dells. I always want to go there, but once I am there in amongst all those people, I wonder why I am there. We did find a nice beer garden at Gilly's and had a late lunch of yummy pulled pork. We walked up and down Main Street and went into a few shops that sell the cedar boxes, key chains, and other assorted
memorabilia. When we used to visit the Dells with the girls, Alissa and I loved these shops, we both love to touch things and there was so much to touch. Courtney, on the other hand, had to sit outside because she could not take all the things in those stores! They no longer seem so great to me anymore either.We did discover a nice new riverwalk which was a step off of Main Street and into quieter parts of Wisconsin Dells. I enjoyed that. We headed home through Portage with a stop at the Wisconsin River in Riverside Park which is a place we always stopped on our trips up north. So many memorable places revisited on this trip!
Be sure to read the previous post to see what we did in Sauk City before riding the ferry.
She cut 
She had fun with her bff Carlee
She enjoyed snack
She brought these cute Panda cookies for snack
She showed us her Panda and Panda hat
She was the Star of the Day
She cleaned
She smiled
She danced
After getting off the boat, we made our annual trek to Wisconsin Dells. I always want to go there, but once I am there in amongst all those people, I wonder why I am there. We did find a nice beer garden at Gilly's and had a late lunch of yummy pulled pork. We walked up and down Main Street and went into a few shops that sell the cedar boxes, key chains, and other assorted memorabilia. When we used to visit the Dells with the girls, Alissa and I loved these shops, we both love to touch things and there was so much to touch. Courtney, on the other hand, had to sit outside because she could not take all the things in those stores! They no longer seem so great to me anymore either.
Be sure to read the previous post to see what we did in Sauk City before riding the ferry.
Here is John's new office building. Now on to the exciting stuff.
I am not sure if it was fate or what that made us decide to eat at Culver's that day, but we sure are glad that we made that decision. I picked up these cow masks while we ordered. I figured I would give one to Tiz and send one to Tewabech. While waiting for our food, I read the reverse side which listed all the events taking place for the State Cow Chip Throwing Contest, who knew? We decided immediately that we would check out these events and so we headed over to Marion Park where it was all happening.
We started by viewing a parade. The theme of the parade was Peace, Love, and Chips so most of the entrants had costumes from the 60's including lots of peace signs and tye dyed clothes.
We checked out the craft fair at the park and then we heard the call for all cow chip throwers to report for the contest, so we headed over not wanting to miss a moment of that excitement. The stands were filled so we were forced to the standing room only area which actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise since people sitting in the stands were "rained" on by little bits of the chips falling apart and sometimes by a whole chip gone off course.
There were about two hundred ladies and another two hundred men who threw the chips. Each contestant chooses two chips from this wagon and tosses them. Chips that stay in bounds and go the farthest are declared the winner. There were contestants from as far away as England, Thailand, California, and New York. After watching some of the Chip Throwing, we headed over to our motel. 
This is the front our motel. Not sure why this exercise bike is out front. Figured it might be the exercise room, who knows. It was nice enough and we would stay there again, it just had some odd features, but sometimes odd can be charming.
We did some bike riding along the Wisconsin River and discovered some beautiful spots, had pizza and beer at a little Pizza place where we were the only customers, and had a few beers at a local bar called The Press Box. All in all, a very nice day.
On Sunday we took a bike ride around Sauk City and Prairie du Sac to explore some more. We bought chips and soda at the Kwik Trip and went back to this spot which we refer to as "our spot" to munch. This table was actually partly in the water and it felt like we were on a boat in the river.
Here are Courtney and Marge in the front yard. As you can see, the Van Aukens have quite the garden going on in their yard. The squash and Alyssum have taken over.
Tiz and I are checking out these big zinnias. There is something in that soil that makes the plants grow like crazy. They need to bottle that and sell it!
Tizita is showing off one of her many little pumpkins that she has growing in her little garden which has taken over the backyard.
This is the Jack in the Pulpit plant which was in Herb and Pearl's gardens. It has some crazy red berries on it at this point.
After our tour of the yard, we walked to the zoo where w captured this gum chewing Panda! Not really, this is one of many hats that Courtney is making for the fall season. Of course, anything looks good on this model.
Now she is a duck!
