Bruce's Travels

 By Bruce Shawkey May 27, 2026 -- 9 a.m. departure to Cashton with Chris Vandall to see Joe Hochstetler, the watchmaker. Stopped at a McDonald's for a to-go breakfast for me of two egg burritos, hash browns, and orange juice. Circuitous route through some beautiful country to Joe’s, including winding roads at Wildcat Mountain State Park.  Joe didn’t have Chris’s repairs done, in spite of the agreed-upon pickup time of five months. Awkward time there as Chris and Joe worked out a new pickup time in August. I scored a new black leather band for my Longines chronograph from Joe. We then stopped at Old Country Cheese in Cashton, where I bought a pound of delicious Swiss cheese, and some yummy chocolate toffees. Odd store. Lots of Amish stuff, and the lone worker there was barefoot. Then we stopped at the Reedsburg Family Restaurant for a big lunch of Gyro, fries, chicken dumpling soup, and large Pepsi. Chris treated in honor of my upcoming 70th birthday. Then back home via Highway...

 On the road by 10:45 to Lacrosse. Took the scenic route via Highway 14. Had lunch at Ft Mulligan's Grillpub in Prairie du Chein.  Ft. Mulligan's Grillpub Excellent bacon bleu burger with chicken dumpling soup and a New Glarus Spotted Cow beer. Arrived Lacrosse 3 p.m. and checked in to the Charmant. Now under corporate ownership.  Laid down for a bit, then to the rooftop for a cocktail. Then dinner at the Freighthouse, small tenderloin and a salad.  Saved my loaded baked potato for later. Then back to Charmant for cribbage and Baileys Irish Cream in the bar. To bed at 9 p.m., and had fitful sleep with Dawn across from me snoring like a wildebeest. Friday, May 15, 2026 Up at 8 a.m. for breakfast in the Charmant restaurant.  Charmant restaurant with open kitchen Two over-medium eggs (with orange yolks, no less), sausage links, toast, coffee, and split a fruit plate with Dawn. On the road back to Madison by 11 a.m., and this time took I-90-94 back to Madison to...

Dawn and I went to Dubuque to escape the fuck-capade of a broken elevator here at Oakridge apartments. Started our journey at 2 p.m. Took 18/151 all the way to speed things up. Arrived about 4 p.m., checked in, and made for the pool/whirlpool. Dawn demurred because she felt self-conscious about her weight. Dinner at Caroline's for beef short ribs (they changed the recipe from last time I ordered them, and not for the better I'm afraid), hamburger for Dawn. I also had a brandy Old Fashioned cocktail after verifying the bartender knew how to make one (she did, being originally from Wisconsin). To bed around 8 p.m. Fairly good night's sleep. Up at 8 a.m. for breakfast at the Sunshine. Found out our favorite waitress, Jonell, had a stroke and was forced to retire. She was always so sweet and kept up with all the younger waitresses there. Spent the rest of the day relaxing. Dinner on day two was at Los Azteca's for a Mexican meal of beef enchiladas, chips and salsa, and a ni...

My major trip this year was to Las Vegas, Nevada, to see the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. We stayed at the Venetian hotel and resort, built over three years from 1996 to 1999. It features a grand canal and re-creation of St. Mark's square in Venice Italy. Here is a property map: Las Vegas has an interesting history, and here is a synopsis. Modern Las Vegas officially began in 1905, when land near the railroad tracks was auctioned off to create a town serving the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. The railroad connected Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, making Las Vegas a strategic stop for supplies and passengers. Las Vegas became an incorporated city in 1911. At this time it was a small desert town of only a few thousand residents, supported mainly by railroad jobs and agriculture. Hoover Dam and the Birth of Gambling (1930s)  The Great Depression transformed the city. Two key events in 1931 changed Las Vegas forever: Nevada legalized gambling and construction of the Hoov...

Dawn and I are off to Dubuque for an overnight Dec. 10 -- 11. Lovely Xmas tree in the lobby of the Hotel Julien: Nice soak in the whirlpool and swim in the pool, followed with a nap, followed with delicious steak dinner in the Woodfire Grill at the Diamond Jo casino with our favorite waitress, Michelle. A little bit of Blackjack where I won $20.  Back to the Julien and to bed. Up the next morning for coffee in the lobby, followed by breakfast at the Sunshine, with our favorite waitress, Jonell. Back to Madison via scenic Highway 11. Most dramatic section is the rock cut just outside Dubuque: Stopped at Decatur Dairy for some cheese, then back to the apartment.

 By Bruce Shawkey The annual Fall circle tour is a tradition started many years ago by my sister, Dawn, and me. It takes in many points of interest combined with family memories. We start on the West Side of Madison, heading northwest on U.S. Highway 12. The route was originally signed as WIS 12 in 1917 prior to the creation of the U.S. Numbered Highway System in 1926. The first stop is a McDonalds in Sauk City for a large coffee to have with our apple pie we will eat at our next stop, Ski Hi apple orchard.  Ski Hi apple orchard has been around for a century. Founded in 1925 by the Bassett family, it has long been part of our family history. My grandfather used to go there every Fall in the 1960s to buy apples. Today, Ski Hi offers some 30 varieties of apples throughout the harvesting season. Currently, Honey Crisp is our personal favorite (and their biggest seller) but their website urges people to sample Ginger Gold, Tolman Sweet, Snow, Macoun, Idared, Golden Russe...