Deep Down, I Might Be A City Slicker

May 16, 2022

Madison, Wisconsin

I like to watch a city wake up in the morning. I rarely get to see one wake up from ten stories up.

I wanted to explore more of Madison today, so I booked another night in my 10th floor hotel room. So far, I've only used the elevator to get up to my 10th floor hotel room, but maybe when I get back from my exploration of the city, I will carry my bike back up the stairs to my 10th floor hotel room. Perhaps you've noticed how I like to brag about my 10th floor hotel room.

I rode up and down many downtown streets, but my main focus was on the State Capital Building, the University of Wisconsin campus, and funky State Street.

The rest of this post will consist of a bunch of pictures.

It's obvious how excited I am to be at the Capitol building. Wish you were here.

I found an executive parking space for Son of Bing Bong before going inside.

The first thing I did was look up into the dome. Cool.

Quite a few groups of school kids and their chaperones were touring the capital.

Hey, Lieutenant Governor Barnes, is there something you can do about those grate-less fire rings at Governor Dodge State Park?

The Wisconsin Supreme Court Chambers. This is where the most important legal cases in the state are heard. I'm sure many of those cases are pretty obscure. Most Wisconsiners would prefer that the Supreme Court hear cases on whether the Green Bay Packers' opposing team's wide receiver had both feet down before going out of bounds on that touchdown catch. Or did their quarterback have his knee down before he fumbled? That's the important stuff.

A nice view of the capital building from the ultra-hip State Street. That street suffered extensive damage during the George Floyd demonstrations, but it's recovering nicely. It is lined on both sides with ethnic restaurants, boutiques, used clothing stores, tattoo parlors, little markets, food trucks, head shops, a comedy club, music venues, and freaky stuff of all kinds. I dig it!

Nice science building on the U.W. campus.

I don't know what this building is, but it's certainly older than anything you'll find in Europe.

Camp Randall Stadium is where the Wisconsin Badgers football team plays.

I only took this photo because I liked the tall white tower and the clouds behind it.

So, this extra day in Madison has given me an opportunity to change the itinerary for the last few days of this tour. My thinking in this matter was, "why go backwards through pretty much the same scenery I've already ridden through? Why not continue to the east coast of Wisconsin?" (That would be Lake Michigan.)

I can catch the Amtrak train in Milwaukee just as well as in La Crosse. OH YEAH, I have a new plan!

Today's ride: 15 miles (24 km)
Total: 230 miles (370 km)

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Rachael AndersonSounds like a great new plan!
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2 years ago

Nancy GrahamThis post helps bring back memories of our tour around the city and appreciation of the in and out of the capital building as well as U of Wisconsin. Great time.
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2 years ago

Adam Zamora"I love this plan. I'm excited to be a part of it."
-Dr. Peter Venkman

Sounds like it'll be a great end of the trip. Be sure to visit the Bicycle Doctor in Dousman. https://www.bikedr.com

Also, have a great time in Milwaukee!
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2 years ago

Gregory GarceauTo Adam ZamoraI like Bill Murray, but I think Harold Ramis went on to do some of the coolest stuff.
I saw the Bicycle Doctor when I rode through Dousman. It's amazing to see such a nice bike shop in such a small town.
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2 years ago