Madison

Later on Saturday, we drove to Madison, which lies 30-40 minutes from New Glarus on a pleasant afternoon drive through rolling terrain. Our first stop was Olin-Turville Park on Lake Monona. I had spent some time in the park back while attending a couple of beer festivals several years ago. It's peaceful and downtown spreads out before your eyes.



Through the Grasses


Across the Water

We relaxed along the lake and soaked in some of the late afternoon sun. One of the things I like about Chicago is the open space along Lake Michigan. Madison has some of that feel too, when you can rest in the park and see the Capitol rise above all the other buildings in the distance across the water. The weather was perfect.



Lens

Downtown waited, and we headed in, parking in a garage, which, by Chicago standards, is a steal of a price. We made our way around the Capitol and then walked down State Street. It's an eclectic ribbon, closed to car traffic, that stretches from University of Wisconsin to the Capitol: clothing, restaurants, museums, and bars. In past trips to Madison, I've enjoyed the blend that the street offers.



Capitol Near Sunset

Dinner at the Ocean Grill, a downtown restaurant, was very satisfying. Afterwards, we drove to a little park on the other side of downtown, so Sandra could view Lake Mendota, the bigger of the two major lakes, in the light just after sunset. A very filling day.