Year in Review-Travel

 Las Aventuras took a break this year from international travel.  Why?  I discovered Southern Arizona with new eyes.

 So while I stayed home, we had such an amazing time here in Arizona.  However, we did get a chance to meet some amazing people, visit Wisconsin and bird in nearby Mexico along the Pacific Ocean.

 One our favorite spots was in Wisconsin Dells over the summer.  Wonderful weather along with beautiful forests made for a very special day.

 And in my hometown along the shores of Lake Michigan, we were able to hang out with the family.

 We even found time to visit Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin during the Scott Walker vote!

 My brother and SIL took us to the Green Bay botanical gardens which was a real thrill.

 Sometimes.  Just sometimes.  I wish I could grow some of these amazing green and colorful plants.

We did get out to Mexico though and had an amazing birding trip along the Sea of Cortez to go to the Bird Islands!

 This next year, several epic outings have been planned.  Some are in the works right now and I'll keep you updated.  I am plotting our courses for next year as are my travel buddies.

 Life is full of good people and experiences.  I believe in kharma.  Throwing bad cause out into the world is not good. But when you send out the positive vibes.......

 .......they come roaring back to you loudly full of incredible energy.  And I'm loving life.  Each day is a new adventure whether it be close to home or elsewhere.  All we have to do is step out that door:)

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Capital Times

It had been years since my last visit.  Considered an oasis in the farmland, Madison is one of the most progressive cities in the world.  It's one of my favorite places to hang out and it's a city full of ideas and diversity.  Please also let me apologize about yesterdays post.  I didn't mean to offend anyone, but I thought I would give it the edge that the election day held.  It was electric.  I promise it will be beautiful garden views today:)

We began by parking near the capital building(don't hassle parking on the street, just find a parking garage) and took the free capital tour.  This was taken on top of the dome overlooking the city.

There were plenty of flowers around the area and I couldn't decide which ones were my favorite because there were so many!!!

Any awesome city requires live performances on the streets.  Madison had so many throughout the day and it all made me smile. 

Situated between two lakes, this city has a great place to sit and watch people and drink beer.  The student union is a popular place for everyone to gather.  In fact, I met up with former high school classmates(one visiting from France) and had a really nice get together.  If you both are reading this post, I just want to thank you for such a fun day.  

In fact with views like this, you can't go wrong.  We sat and drank beer while the college kids sunned themselves on the pier and did their mating rituals.  Now the lake is awesome but I'm not sure I'd swim in it......too many birds and their poo:(  But people swam and smiled....so it must have been okay. I'm not one for tanning but I understand why people do it here.  People would take their shirts off to sunbathe and the sunlight would glare off their skin and blind us!  Maybe they were vampires.  Also, many of them should have used sunblock because they sported a pretty bad red sunburn.

Too many flowers.  Too many people with amazing gardens.  Here is my father's favorite plant...the Clematis.  His wish?  That his grandchildren stop playing hide and go seek inside or around the plant!

One of my former classmates now manages a botanical/birding area along the lake known as the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and it was a wonderful surprise.  I'm a plant guy so it was so much fun chatting with her about invasive species and plants in general.  It's fun to geek out on plants.  She took us to a botanical garden nearby and here are several shots of plants that grew around the area. 

These Tiger Lilies really added a nice splash of orange in the gardens at the entrance!

Allium 'Lucy Ball'

And how about this hot number??!!  Purple gets me everytime.  These lavender balls added a piece of perfection in the garden.  This shot taken at sunset.

I wanted to show my English/European friends our American Robin.  I do like this bird but it's not dainty like your own Robins:)  Larger birds that equal American appetities I think:)  This bird is also the Wisconsin State Bird.  It is seen everywhere foraging for worms and bugs.

Catbird

There are Cowbirds.....and Catbirds!  This was a lifer for me and another cool find in the gardens.  Pretty common bird found around Wisconsin.

As the sun set, I felt a little sad.  The day was ending and so was our visit to Madison.  Good friends, good times.....and good memories.  I've done much travel in my lifetime and this place still remains one of my favorite top ten cities to visit....and just be.  It rates up there with San Antonio, Austin and yes yes...Tucson:)  I'd like to call it the San Francisco of Wisconsin but to be honest San Fran has a different feel.  I lived near there and enjoyed my time in the Bay Area. Beautiful yes, but the ambience is quite different.  Madison has a warm feeling to it and the city and people invite you to walk the streets and explore.  It's also home to the University of Wisconsin.  It's hard to compare to another city but the closest cities to this oasis in the farmland are Austin, Texas and Ann Arbor, Michigan.  I highly recommend a visit here for a day if you have one to spare.  And the best part?  Don't plan anything.....just go and explore. 

Sadly, we had to go back and head home.  Here is a parting glance of the Student Union at sunset.  Look at the pic closer and observe all the action going on.  Madison is a fantastic place to visit and I will always treasure the memories here.  My first trip was in 8th grade.  Then while in college, I'd get into a lot of trouble partying here.  Watch where you park:) They love to ticket!:)  More tomorrow....