Thank You, Wisconsin. It was a lovely trip!

[davsand]

Just got home from taking my mom to Rhinelander see her sister in the nursing home. Quite simply, your state rocks. I know tensions have been high in Madison ever since Walker hit town, but that negativity never showed in anybody I talked to or dealt with in your state. Yes, I did talk to people that Walker's policies have/will injure, and yes, people did talk about it, but they never failed to be gracious to an FIB and her 82 year old mother.

Thanks!



Laura

[sybylla]

1. It's so sweet that you shared this.

I'm very happy that your trip was pleasant. Hopefully next time you visit, things will be better.

[davsand]

2. I was hearing that the tourism is not as strong this year.

I talked to a few folks and I was hearing that the number of tourists has been reduced this year. I'm know it is early in the season for the northwoods, but even so, I just hate to hear it. Seemed to me like an awful lot of families depend on that money to keep going, and with everything else going on, a bad tourist season could not come at a worse time. I heard it in Portage, I heard it in Rhinelander, and even in a couple gas stations along the highway...

My husband and I talked about moving to Madison years ago--when we first got married. We loved that terrain around Black Earth and Mt Horeb--it is just beautiful. We ended up staying here for family, but you gotta know that Wisconsin has always been in the back of my mind. Odd thing, as I have grown older, that area up in the northwoods has become even more attractive! If we ever manage to escape the cesspool that is Illinois politics, maybe we'll find bliss in your northwoods!



Laura



BTW, is politeness the Wisconsin state sport? Sure did seem like it!

[sybylla]

3. Tourism has been down ever since the gas prices jumped.

Those families do count on it. A tough economy and high gas prices will keep enough people home that a few tourist haunts will probably go toes up.

It's sad, but it always happens in times like this.

As for politeness being a sport - some are highly competitive at it - like New Yorkers are at being rude. But you don't have to drive the interstate or even city streets very long to find that not everyone feels that way. There are some here who just don't do "polite" - especially behind the wheel.