Madison, WI - Capitol #13

This morning we stopped at the Wisconsin welcome center as soon as we crossed the border and found out that a world qualifier for the Ironman triathlon was taking place in the capital today - in fact, racers would be running around the Capitol itself. It didn't sound like a good place to drive into with the trailer, but we decided to take our chances and give it a try. The capital is surrounded by one-way streets and today several of those were blocked off and detours were created. After driving in several circles, I decided to call the capital and ask where RVs could park since I was only seeing street metered parking everywhere. Since it's Sunday, nobody answered. But the message did say that there were Capitol police. And I figured they didn't get to take Sundays off. So I looked up the nonemergency number and called. The gentleman who answered, and became our friend, was Corporal Matt (*name changed to protect the innocent). Corporal Matt had a fun time using the capitals outside surveillance cameras to find us coming toward him and direct us to very special parking - you know, that driveway that goes right up to the Capitol building itself that's normally for special people - well today, we were special people. (And we exited the car to cheers - but they were for the first runners coming around the corner.)

Since we had become such good friends on the phone, he officer invited us to meet him inside and he gave all the kids Wisconsin Capitol police badges - the ones they wear on their uniforms. Not just a sticker.

Honor to her, we found out that the Wisconsin capital is designed to replicate the capital in Washington DC.

Above, of you from the bottom. Below, a view from the top.

On our tour, Kik was selected to use the guide's laser pointer to show the starfish fossil in the Tennessee stone used for their stairs. 

Supreme Court 

Tour first- on the senate floor, SITTING at their desks!

Not so in the house. Rule is: everyone must stand. 

Italian leather doors

Well, with the parking fiasco we missed the first room of the tour, but not to worry... Our personal friend will take us himself!

In the Governor's conference room, we heard all sorts of great stories. History of the room, stories behind the paintings, etc. What a treat to have this personal attention!

Bucky the badger - mascot of Wisconsin,  used to ride on the USS Wisconsin, then resides at Annapolis at the Naval Academy, and is now home here - rub his nose for good luck. 

Masons always leave a flaw in the buildings they construct. Can you see it in the photo below?

From the observation deck...