Latest (And Probably Last) Trip to Cashton

 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 Highways 33 and 12. Stopped at the Mother Culvers in Sauk City, where Chris treated me to a lemon ice with raspberry topping. Then back home. It was an exhausting day with the excessive heat (high 80s) that day.

Will probably not go with Chris when he returns to Joe's in August. It was a very exhausting trip, and will only be hotter in August. But it was very much fun this trip to catch up with Chris.

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