Wisconsin was on my list of states to visit friends last year. However, those of you who follow my blog may recall my altered itinerary last year after my tornado experience in Oklahoma. And then later in that trip, I got a concussion! Memories …geez …. so last year, after thousands of driving miles, I headed straight to Arizona bypassing visiting WI friends. But here I am! Now enjoying nice weather, seeing sights around the state in the company of friends. Of course, I enjoyed Wisconsin cheese curds, yum!

In the LaCrosse area, we visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Seventy acres of land gifted for a Marian shrine. For historical info, click here. I learned the Marian devotion is specifically to express love for the “ever-Virgin Mary”. As a spiritual person, I am respectful in learning about other religions. Here there is a Memorial to the Unborn, The Shrine Church and an amazingly beautiful Votive Candle Chapel.

As I drove across the state, I stopped in Wisconsin Dells. It’s been decades since I had been to this glacially – carved area. I remember it being a very beautiful area. It still is, but now it is a resort town with waterparks, plenty of tourists and still glacially – carved areas to see!

Onward … to Madison area. There I stopped at Pheasant Branch Conservancy which has numerous trails. I’ll return some time to walk more of the trails. Then my favorite place, Goose Pond Sanctuary, although you’re walking along a road. Miles away is the Wildlife Observation Boardwalk, a new stop for me and only a few birds. Being a member with The Nature Conservancy, I decide to check out one more property: Waukesha Wetlands State Natural Area. Some of this land was donated to The Nature Conservancy by a woman. Thank you! Protecting wetlands is so important; water will flow through this watershed area to WI homes.

Then to Milwaukee area where we stopped at the Milwaukee Art Museum. My friends specifically wanted me to see the Burke Brise Soleil. The “wings” open and close with the museum hours. Santiago Calatrava is the Spanish architect/creator of “the wings” which are a “complex mechanical work of art”. Absolutely amazing to see this! The moveable sunscreen has a 217 foot wingspan. The seventy-two steel fins weigh 90 tons. Unfortunately we missed their flap at noon and learned they are illuminated from sundown till closing at 10pm. All must be quite a sight!

Onward to Ohio!