Wausau, Wisconsin

I'm trying to stay positive about Wausau, Wisconsin but it isn't coming easy. Its a bit of a roll of the dice on what my destinations are going to be like. Really what has brought me here is that I spent the last two days in Mackinaw City, Michigan (loved it) and will spend three days in Minneapolis, Minnesota (planning on loving it) and this happened to be the midpoint mark. As I looked at Priceline for hotels in the area I was amazed to see how low the rates were here. But now I understand. My Days Inn has a McDonald's in its front yard. If I were five years old, I would be so psyched about this but, as an adult, Happy Meals and indoor playgrounds just don't have the appeal that they once did. On the bright side, the BP gas station that shares the parking lot with the hotel will be a convenient stop on my way out tomorrow morning and, if I find I need a loofah or a hunk of steak, I can just walk across the highway to the Bed, Bath & Beyond that shares a building with Texas Steakhouse.

Oh, and to the state of Michigan: I am so sorry that I made pre-judgements of you and dismissed you as an industrial state with poor economy that wouldn't be worth my road trip. You are beautiful and I am so glad that I took a chance and added you to my route. I loved the entire drive from Chicago to Mackinaw City. I've sold Lake Michigan short by thinking only oceans could be beautiful. I'll never underestimate a lake again.

Mackinaw City was a truly nice town -- good size, good people, good fudge. I even did the ferry ride to Mackinac Island (the only way to get to the island is by boat or plane being that cars are not allowed there; only horses and bikes.) I didn't stay there long, though, because it is not the kind of place for a girl on a budget. There's nothing like an inaccessible island to jack up prices.

Today I drove over the Mackinac Bridge. It is the largest bridge in the western hemisphere (26,400 ft) and the 3rd largest in the world. It didn't really feel so special but now I can say that I did it and thats the important part. I, then, got to drive through the Upper Peninsula along Lake Michigan and it was a pretty fantastic drive. And the national forest of Wisconsin was beautiful. And then there was Wausau. I'm looking forward to leaving tomorrow.

And a little bench humor:

I think they are trying to hide the fact that they put a bench backwards by putting a large trash bin in front of it. Didn't fool me, though.