In the summer, I look forward to taking a break from Florida’s hot weather to visit family and friends in Wisconsin. This year, Hubby and I extended our vacation from four to ten days. I needed the extra time to check off two items on my Bucket List.
Visit Mama’s Gravesite in Chicago
I set aside one full day and traveled to Chicago about 90 miles from Milwaukee to visit Mama’s gravesite. In two earlier posts, I shared:
- Why? – Lost Memories of Mama, and
- What Happened? – Update: Lost Memories of Mama
Solo, 2-Day Mini Vacation in Madison, Wisconsin
I lived in Madison, Wisconsin for more than thirty years. A solo, 2-day mini vacation, without Hubby, freed up space for me to: (1) spend quality time with my “girlfriend” family; and, (2) re-visit several of my favorite places.
I spent many quiet afternoons and evenings at a local park looking out over Lake Monona. To recapture this experience, I booked a room for two nights at the Hilton-Monona Terrace Hotel with a window view of Lake Monona.
Because I wanted to spend time with as many family members as possible, I invited my grand-nieces and step great-granddaughters for a two-night sleepover at the hotel. Sleepless in Madison is my best description of what it’s like to share a room with three teenagers and a nine-year-old; but, I enjoyed every minute with my girls.
The next day, I, along with my girls, meandered through one of my favorite places in Madison, Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
I couldn’t stop the camera from clicking and capturing memories of a beautiful afternoon spent in the presence of nature and family.
In the evening, I went to dinner at one of my favorite eating places, Paisan’s Restaurant. It was my first visit in twenty-six years and I enjoyed a girlfriends night out of lively conversation and sharing memories with thirteen of my favorite friends and family members. The highlight of the evening was meeting my newest family member, Miss Jaelah. She traveled from arm to arm throughout the evening.
The 2-day solo, mini-vacation in Madison, Wisconsin was awesome; and I am happy to have checked of two items on my Bucket List.
SeasonedSistah 
Your post is beautiful and filled with happiness and thankfulness. Why don’t you share this energy at my 52 Weeks of Thankfulness Challenge today.
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I appreciate your comments and thanks for the invite to participate in the 52 Weeks of Thankfulness Challenge. I look forward to linking up.
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Love this! It was wonderful to spend time with you again here in Madison!
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Thank you. I really enjoyed spending time with you.
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As always, it was great to see you too Yvonne! I have to tell you that baby Jaelah is the most beautiful baby!! We had a lot of fun with you, well except for walking down the
ravine :):)
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We were smart to recognize our limitations. Loved spending time with you.
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I use to have a bucket list, but life happens and the things on it got forgotten. After i found my grandmother’s grave and found that it had no headstone i have always wanted to get one placed, however they cost lots of money, but i have, because of your bucket list i have inquired about how much it will actually cost.
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Completing items on our bucket lists isn’t an easy job. I created one shortly after starting this blog more than three years ago. Your comment peaked my interest and I plan to look for this post, see how many items were completed and write a post. At the cemetery where my mother is buried anything only ground level headstones are permitted and the cost wasn’t as prohibitive.
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A ground level stone might be an idea. There are a number of people in the grave, my great grandfather, Alfred Tennant, his son, Alfred Tennant (my grandfather), my grandmother Eva Sowden Tennant and her two year old daughter Margaret Rose Tennant. They are my mother’s parents, sister and grandfather.
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I’m so glad you did two things from your bucket list this summer. I love the Lake Manona pictures. The lake looks so peaceful.
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