My Visit Comes to an End
Tomorrow, I fly home to Alaska. I can’t believe my time here in Wisconsin has come to an end. It has flown by, but we have had the most awesome time with each other. Every time I see my kids, it makes me a little more sad that they don’t live near me - or vice versa. I hope another 16 months doesn’t have to pass until our next visit.
Today, the snow is coming down sideways. The winter storm warnings started two days ago, and it’s finally arrived. Yesterday I drove out to Waunakee - a small town northwest of Madison - to meet up with an online friend named Kerry. Kerry and I met five years ago via blogging, and this was our first face to face. We had a lovely time, but couldn’t do what we had originally planned (visiting Mt Horeb to see the trolls), because the back roads weren’t in the greatest shape.
Kerry and I went out to lunch, and when we left the restaurant, the sidewalk, trees, and car were encased in ice. What I thought was rain, was sleet, and what a mess it made! I had to chip the ice off of the windshield, and after dropping Kerry back at her house, I made my way back to the kids’ place very slowly and cautiously. I had forgotten what it was like to drive on ice, but soon my “Philly driving skills” kicked in and I did OK. Most importantly, I got back to the kids in one piece.
The landscape around Madison is absolutely stunning. There are farms and barns and silos dotting the surrounding area. The reds of the barns against the snow are striking. I took a few photos, but not as many as I hoped to get - there aren’t many shoulders along the roads to pull off onto.
Today, we might go sledding - if the snow and wind slows down a little bit. Right now it’s too cold out there. I also hope to make a dry run to the airport, so I can find my way out of here tomorrow. I’m driving myself as I rented a car at the AP and need to return it there.
I’ll make a more detailed post with photos after I get home.
Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my wonderful and loving husband, Steve! I’m sorry I missed his special day, but we’ll celebrate both our birthdays when I get home. I’m ready to go home. While I hate the thought of leaving my kids, I’m missing my husband and can’t wait to see him again.
