Wanda Woman Wanders to Wisconsin

[Wanda Woman]

Last week, I took my third annual trip to the fine state of Wisconsin. A group of my on-line foodie friends meets up once a year in Wisconsin Dells for good eats, a brewfest (Dells on Tap), and a chance to reconnect in person with great friends.

The Dells is a little tourist town that looks like its charge was to create Vegas, but on a shoestring budget. The entire town seems to be obsessed with statues.


It starts early, in the Madison airport with Bucky the Badger.









There are many old rancho-style motels in the Dells. These are one-story, U-shaped buildings with a pool in the center, right on the street. There seems to be a local ordinance requiring all motel pools to have a concrete statue of some kind, usually aquatic in nature.










Though not always aquatic. Most of the pools have been drained now that summer is over.











Sometimes you get a two-for-one statue deal.










No coaster looping through a Mickey head, but how about a roller coaster that goes through the belly of a Trojan Horse?









Statues are so plentiful you can hit them with your car.










Ooooh, a deer park! With statues, though. I didn't see any real deer.










The number one threat to America: bear statues. The bear statue is mad because the moose statue is bigger.









The Dells version of the Partners statue.









Some folks in our group went to tour some nearby Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. I'm not sure why, as there was plenty of interesting architecture to see right there in the Dells.








How about breakfast on the Mark Twain?
Yo quiero pancakes!
Mr. Pancake was closed, though.
No pancakes for you!










This is The White House. It's upside down. No, I don't know why.











More of The Upside Down White House.










I really don't know what these kinds of places were. I assume they're like walk-through Halloween mazes. Whatever this one is, it's Top Secret.










Wizard Quest. Another interesting building.











The Dells has its version of Village Haus, a faux German village. Look away, purists.












Oddly enough, the Dells' McDonald's is one of the nicest looking buildings in town.










This place was my favorite.










I think we can all agree that hands on fun is the best kind of fun.








More to come . . .

[Wanda Woman]

Our Friday night dinner was held at the House of Embers. I love neon signs.






There are effervescent martinis at the HOE.







The HOE is very conveniently located next to the Moccasin Center, for all your moccasin needs.






Dinner was fantastic. The HOE serves up some of the best cinnamon rolls in their bread basket, too. I won't bore you with lots of pics of folks you don't know eating dinner, so let's move onto Saturday, shall we?


We had lunch at Essen Haus, which is supposed to be a German restaurant. However, they seem to be in the midst of an identity crisis, as we were serenaded with hip hop, rap, and reggae tunes while we ate. I had a sandwich named after Bob Marley. In a German restaurant.

We did have a jolly time poking fun at the two murals painted on the walls.

On one wall we have Jed and Jethro sitting, looking rather glum for men being surrounded by buxom beer maidens in festive cowboy hats. Maybe the men were glum because they were being served in the Care Bear forest. Note the early period tablescape. Yes, it's only a white tablecloth, but remember, they're in a forest. Sandra Lee would be proud.






On the other wall, it's a German disco. Apparently, the Germans invented calf warmers. The little boys/very small men do not look pleased about what will be expected of them in a few years.








It was on to the brewfest! For reasons possibly connected with the consumption of barley, malt, and hops, it seems I only managed to snap one pic:






A photo of me, taken by someone else, as we wait for the group to gather before our Saturday night dinner at the Del Bar restaurant.





Next up, a visit to Ella's Deli in Madison, Wisconsin.

[pratt55]

Great report and pictures. Did you go into the torture museum or just torture yourself thinking about it? Can't wait to see more.

[aashee]

Strange stuff over there. Thanks Wanda, very entertaining report! I'll be looking for the rest.

[Wanda Woman]

I had a pre-flight meal at Ella's Deli in Madison, Wisconsin. Half of Ella's is a deli and the other half is an ice cream store.












There's a carousel outside the restaurant.





















The ticket booth is very detailed.






Ella's is noted for its decor. The whole place is chockablock full of knickknacks, doodads, and moving figures.
















A robot greets you at the door.









There is a small carousel model in the window.








And a pretty ferris wheel model, too.










Do you miss the Small World clock? Ella's version has an Alice theme. See the little Mad Hatter figure?









Snow White is here with her ferris wheel.









Snow White is also in the forest.








Dumbo flies overhead.







How about a trip aboard the Mark Twain?







Or a little Jungle Cruise action . . .








The genie is here making magic.







Lots of superheroes fly overhead.

Here I come to save the day!



































Harry Potter chases a snitch atop his broom.








Famous folks hang around Ella's.

Michael Jordan was there.






I found Elvis.







Betty Boop was on a swing, along with a robot friend.









Don't have a cow, man.








Maybe you'd like the piggy feet quartet to sing you a tune.







Or perhaps the vintage Band Box.









We're Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band . . .







Maybe something classical instead.







There was even a vintage zoetrope of *gulp* CLOWNS juggling.






Inside the zoetrope. Warning. There be clowns ahead.





The tables all had different themes with things set inside them.

My table had a little train set. You could press a button and the train would chug along the track right there inside your table.








This was the Lego table.









Another table had dolls inside it. Pinoooooooo-cchio! This table was ranked high on the creepy scale.









I think it's time for ice cream.






















After my head stopped spinning from all the things to see in Ella's, I went to the Penzey's spice shop. I spent like a drunken sailor.








I had a wonderful time in Wisconsin.

[SummerInFL]

Wow! What a fun, kitchie place! Thanks for sharing your trip!

[SCUBAbe]

I love penzy's spices.

that state has some weird stuff in it though.

[Stitchy]

WOW!!!! That place certainly looks......interesting. I think that looney bin is the home of all the architects in the area. Wow. They are a little statue crazy, huh?


Looks like you had a great time....and, um....in your kitchen there.....is that AB's autograph?

[disneytim]

WOW! What a Wonderful Weport! Weally!!

[Mac Daddy]

Thanks for sharing these shots with us, Wanda Woman. It looks cold!

[Wanda Woman]

Originally Posted by Stitchy

in your kitchen there.....is that AB's autograph?

Sharp eye, Stitchy! It is indeed Alton Brown's autograph.

[Rixter]

Incredible, just incredible. Thanks so much for sharing.

[mikeland]

What an awesome place! Who knew there was a place like that???

[fo'c's'le swab]

Are there any sane people in Wisconsin? I so far have seen no evidence of any. Great place for a vacation! Nice Alton Brown score, kid. Hope the Torture Shop was hands-on--I know you went in. A Great Dali-sque TR!!

[Evil Step-Mom]

What a unique place! Thanks for sharing with us.