Wake up, Wisconsin! (Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha: amusement parks, YMCA, schools)

[kjs36]

Well, I finally registered just to post a response to this silly post. But LML pretty much had the perfect response so I'll just let sleeping dogs lie.

[bettyboopster]

People get defensive about their state, and I understand that. But the simple fact is, I am not the only person who feels this way about Wisconsin. It has a reputation for a reason. I would like to ask the people who post things like "Go to the Dells" or even hunting or sledding or Door County--what are you doing this weekend, and the next? Can't go sledding without snow, and like I said, the Dells--what do you do on a weekly basis? As far as the beaches in Kenosha being great--I've been to South Padre Island, Rio de Janeiro, and Cancun beaches--let me tell ya, these beaches ain't great.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by bettyboopster

People get defensive about their state, and I understand that. But the simple fact is, I am not the only person who feels this way about Wisconsin. It has a reputation for a reason. I would like to ask the people who post things like "Go to the Dells" or even hunting or sledding or Door County--what are you doing this weekend, and the next? Can't go sledding without snow, and like I said, the Dells--what do you do on a weekly basis? As far as the beaches in Kenosha being great--I've been to South Padre Island, Rio de Janeiro, and Cancun beaches--let me tell ya, these beaches ain't great.

You may not be the only person who feels the way you do about Wisconsin. But you are right in one sense: "Wisconsin has a reputation for a reason." And that reputation and the reason for it are approximately 180 degrees from your own assumptions and conclusions about Wisconsin.

Its reputation is one of countless recreational opportunities, only some of which are dependant on season. This is why Wisconsin is a premier tourist destination in the Midwest. Plenty of folks (myself included) have given you numerous suggestions as to what to do in Wisconsin. Even us sophisticated, cosmopolitan, jaded, self-absorbed Chicagoans head to Wisconsin -- often en masse -- when we want a change of pace. We do so much to the chagrin of those native Cheeseheads who would just as soon we stayed in our own state and/or dropped dead, but there are other threads covering that topic. Us FIBs don't stay in our own state for one self-evident reason: Wisconsin is simply much more interesting and it provides many more recreational opportunities than our own state does.

As for what I'm doing this weekend, I'm driving up to the Central Waters Brewpub in Marshfield. Along the way I intend to stop at The Great Dane Brewpub and Pasqual's Salsaria in Madison, and at the first cheese shop I see along the way. Bonus if I happen across a mom-and-pop winery along the way, of which there are several in Wisconsin. I was hoping to squeeze in a visit to the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum, but it looks like that will have to wait for another time.

In other words, I, a citizen of one of the most culturally developed, worldly cities on Planet Earth, have made an appointment to visit and patronize your so-called "boring" state this weekend. So, what are you doing this weekend?? Sitting and moping some more? Forgive me if I don't join your dreadfully tedious pity party. I've got plenty more interesting things to do -- in your own state, no less.

Cheers,

-Drover

[j33]

bettyboopster - Just a short note on the use of 'borrow' for 'lend'. That is noted by linguists as a common part of northern midwest speech and is a hold over from the immigrants who settled the area who spoke languages in which borrow and lend were the same word. I work with a very intelligent woman from Poland who holds two advanced degrees, and she 'borrows' me things all the time. I think nothing of it.

Take a look at Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE) for more information on that somewhat unique aspect of upper-midwestern speech.

[bettyboopster]

You refer to Wisconsin as "your" state. It's not my state. And sure, blame the grammar problems on immigrants, lol.
I think those are good ideas--I'll take my two-year-old to the pub and the winery! You are proving my point! Come on, any real suggestions? Truly, I'm opened for suggestions.

[lovemaine]

Just let it go everyone. Bettyboopster is just one of those posters trying to stir things up, and if you keep responding she'll have succeeded. I lived in SE Wisconsin for 20 years, NJ for about 8 months and now in NC. There are definitely things to do if you make an effort to look. Even when we lived in small town WI, I always found things to do with my kids. No matter where you live, it's what you make of it. And by the way, obviously you can't compare a Lake Michigan beach to beaches in Rio and Mexico. Lake Michigan is a lake, not an ocean or a gulf. There's a bit of a difference there.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by bettyboopster

You refer to Wisconsin as "your" state. It's not my state. And sure, blame the grammar problems on immigrants, lol.
I think those are good ideas--I'll take my two-year-old to the pub and the winery! You are proving my point! Come on, any real suggestions? Truly, I'm opened for suggestions.

I have a suggestion. Sit at home and mope, and ignore the numerous suggestions that were already offered. It seems to be the only suggestion you're going to follow anyway. Have fun!

[Suzanne1945]

As a former Wisconsinite I treasure my growing up years in that state. You have clean air, beautiful skies, lots of trees, beaches, water, sports and more.

[nanannie]

Yeah,it can be really a bore,,so? move

[bettyboopster]

Seems nobody has an answer. If you want me to shut up so bad, you should really prove me wrong instead of suggesting to A: sit at home and mope, B: go to the pubs C: Go to the Dells.