Another adventure vacation began with the chance to see one of the biggest steam trains of twentieth century history. The Union Pacific recently restored this behemoth, known as Big Boy and built in 1941, and sent it on tour across the Midwest to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railway.

Just outside of Madison, the folks at Sassy Cow Creamery offer tours of a real, working, modern, dairy farm.

Danielle got married on July 4 on a farm in Richland County. Danielle became a part of Keith’s family several decades ago, grew up, went out on her own, and eventually came to this place. That’s a story for another day, today is a day to celebrate.

In my cross-country seven state sojourn on a Saturday in early June, I could only recall seeing two farmers out working in their fields. Listening to Orion Samuelson’s early morning farm show on WGN radio, I heard that farmers are facing a tough summer with rain, flooding, and a tariff-war drying up overseas markets. I did see a lot of standing water in many midwest farm fields. It’s going to be a tough year.

Been trying to get to Pewit’s Nest, a small natural area west of Baraboo for about a decade, ever since I first learned about it.

The UW arboretum is always beautiful in the early morning.

Silent Sentinels

For our third and final day in Jerusalem, we once again made our way in the early morning to the Temple Mount.

Back to the Temple Mount and a group photo in front of the Dome of the Rock.

Appointment at the Western Wall – We started this day at the holiest site of Judaism, the western wall of the Temple Mount (also known as the Wailing Wall), where many of Jerusalem’s Jewish residents start their day in prayer.