Holiday Vacation: Wisconsin

Yesterday's 8-hour drive from Cape to Ferryville, WI went well. We were thankful that the weather was mild as we crossed from one side of Iowa to the other. Only last week most of the U.S. was hit with a fairly brutal blizzard, but all was calm for our travels. Hopefully the we'll be presented with the same conditions when we return in January. After a happy reunion with Hans' family and a tour of their newly-built farmhouse, we settled in and unpacked.

This morning we went for a walk with Hans' mom and aunt around parts of the farm property where they had been working to remove generations of invasive plants and restore the original prairie savannah habitat. Their property sits on a tall ridge, part of the high bluffs that rise over the Mississippi River Valley. After taking an old logging road back to the house, I was set with pine boughs and flowers (naturally freeze-dried) and made several arrangements to decorate with for Hans' uncle's birthday party, which was to be held in a few hours. With 11 people crowded around their large Amish-made dining table, we had an enjoyable meal followed by a lovely home-made Black Forest cake.

Frozen milkweed

Boo, trying to figure out the best way to get at Bunsen

Our caloric intake was balanced with a walk up the road and some entertaining sled follies. Hans' aunt's lab, Boo, had a grand time chasing sledders downhill, licking the back of their necks as she went. During most of the afternoon a fresh layer of snow fell softly, leaving well-formed flakes that dusted one's hair.

After a tournament of Euchre, we sat down to a chili supper while the men cheered the Packer's game on T.V. We are in Wisconsin, doncha know?

Tomorrow the household will become busier with the arrival of Hans' sister and cousin. I hope to walk more of the property and take more pictures of the winter scenes I've missed during my time in Missouri.