I thought I'd feature some highlights from our trip. Because a writer's brain never stops and inspiration always lurks behind the next photograph.
Storms. They blasted their way through the state. Thankfully, we just missed the big one that blew through Iowa and Illinois with straight line winds up to 100 mph. Tornado Alley runs through Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, so we're programmed to dive for cover at a moment's notice. I kept my eye on all of the "Emergency Exit Only" doors throughout the week. Here's a shot of the theme park Mount Olympus before another storm. Mt. Olympus is the world's largest outdoor/indoor water park, featuring roller coasters, gigantic wave pools, water slides and other rides.
The Dells originally was a destination for non-mega theme parks. Boat tours on the Wisconsin River along with hiking tours were the main attraction led by the man who made the Dells famous, H. H. Bennett, Father of the Dells. He was the first person to ever take a photograph of something in motion. His photography studio/museum still stands on Broadway Street.
Baraboo is the town located right next to the Dells and is home to the Circus World Museum where five of the Ringling Brothers started a circus in 1884. Two more brothers joined the Ringling Brothers Circus and eventually bought out Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907 and created The Greatest Show on Earth.
The diverse shops located downtown will make you stay and play or read and relax. Because every used book store should have pianos and puppies...
Baraboo is also home to Devil's Lake and the bluffs. My sons visited two weeks prior to our vacation with their youth group. This is why I chose not to tag alone, and I always close my eyes when they show me pics like these...(And you can now see why my son was the inspiration for Free Runner.)
And for all you Percy Jackson fans, I found Zeus, Medusa and Hades all in one place at the Mount Olympus theme park:
I hope you are having a wonderful, memory-filled summer! Now, back to working on my books and cleaning my house. What have you been doing this summer?
That's a lot of family time. Glad you survived.
ReplyDeleteThe museum looks really cool. And the shot of the roller coaster is just awesome.
Thanks! I want to actually tour the museum next time we visit. Yes, my house is quiet-er. :-)
DeleteAre you as exhausted as I am? lol love the pics. I want to visit that bookstore.
ReplyDeleteYES! And, yes, I could stay and read all day. She had really old books too!! The place was huge:)
DeleteMt Olympus sounds so cool! The storms, not so cool. The pic of your son on the ledge -- heart-stopping!! Have a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a unique place, fun for kids and adults! That boy of mine:( You should see the one of him jumping across a death drop. He makes me so nervous.
DeleteWhat a fun outing! I'm going to need one of those DESPERATELY once this next book is out in the world.
ReplyDeleteLet's see, what have we been doing for summer? Oh, packing. Moving. Prepping for a book launch. Yay.
Great for the whole family! Yes, take a break after summer simmers down for you. And congrats on your book launch!
DeleteThanks! I'm working on that break thing. Does swimming 3 times a week count?
DeleteThat's a cool picture of the roller coaster.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I chose not to ride any this time--neck issues;-) So, I took pics instead.
DeleteSounds like fun.
ReplyDelete:) Tons!
DeleteEek. I used to live in Nebraska. I'm very familiar with tornado alley. And if I had a used bookstore, I would always bring my dog to work with me. :)
ReplyDeleteThe same lady has been running this bookstore for at least a decade. What an awesome job!
DeleteSuch amazing pictures. Looks like a good time was had by all. I love the bookstore pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, fun but exhausting:)
DeleteSo that's three whole weeks with family?? You're a survivor for sure LOL. That photo is absolutely incredible by the way. Wow...
ReplyDeleteThanks! I still have a twitch. It might be permanent.
DeleteWhoa, that is some roller coaster!! And your son IS fearless. Great pics - and good for you for surviving three weeks with family! ;)
ReplyDeleteNow, if my son can survive his teenage years.. ;-)
DeleteWhat fun! So glad you survived...and that you missed the storms. I was just planning our September vacation this morning. I'm badly in need of one. We have family visiting later this month...seems there's always someone coming to town or someone we have to go see. I just want a month of normal!
ReplyDeleteA month of normal!! Creating one "write" now.
DeleteLooks like you had a great time! That theme park sounds fun. I've always love Greek mythology. Glad you didn't get hit by any of the storms.
ReplyDeleteinspiration indeed! fabulous pictures - really liked the creepy coaster pic and especially love that you found all those characters in that mt olympus park! awesome!
ReplyDeleteps - thanks for commenting on my broken branch falls blog tour!
This looks so fun! I really enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I gave you a shout out on my blog today! You don't have to do the tag unless you want. I'm a no-pressure tagger!
ReplyDeleteMount Olympus theme park is a thing?!? Oh my bucket list just grew longer!
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like a fun trip besides the potential storms! I have never been to the Dells- but it looks like an exciting place to visit. I loved seeing the pictures. The one of your son would make me nervous (I am afraid of heights). :)
ReplyDelete~Jess