Mileophile: July 9th- Eau Claire, Wisconsin (and surrounding areas)

Mile 1357- Augusta, Wisconsin – Gingerbread Jersey Cheese

Here we met Carrie, the opinionated Mennonite. She actually was quite lovely, but very passionate about environmental issues such as over farming. And, boy-howdy, did she give us an ear full. She and her family run a very small dairy and cheese making operation. We got to watch them make Mozzarella and we bought lots. Enter our next challenge of the road, keeping 6 packages of cheese cool for the next 4 days.

My Homegirl, Carrie, giving us a cheesucation.

Really fresh cheese

Mile 1427- Dallas, Wisconsin home of Wisconsin Farm Tec Day! Whoo-Hoo! I can honestly say that in Thomas’ almost 4 years, I have witnessed the best day of his life so far. Farm Tec is when all of the big tractor dealers shuttle their wares out to a cattle pasture, the 4-H is also there with poster board projects, there are critters to pet, and farm equipment to climb on. There was taxidermy. It was the Bullingtons, Nana, and a bagillion farmers and their kin.

Listening to a calf's heartbeat

Thomas kissing a miniature horse square on the mouth.

No, sir. I would not like to step into your photo booth of enlightenment and view a dead turkey embryo still in the egg with a flashlight. I'm trying to quit.

Zucchini Races!

We happened upon the mobile dead zoo, which tickled my fancy with a variety of stuffed animals (I'm not talking teddies, my sweets) Some little pimple-faced teen had been charged with the task of inviting in the curious/frightened children. I was overjoyed because although it was not the taxidermy that was part of my plan, it was taxidermy nonetheless. Nary a one was whimsically posed or driving a Barbie car, but this is Dallas, Wisconsin. They subscribe to a simpler form of preserving dead varmints. When we were leaving Mae said, “ I thought that was going to be really boring, but it was actually fun!”.