wmphimu Posted Jun 7, 2008, 10:11 pm |
Hello! My name is Tipsy. I am so excited to be a Toy Voyager! I am ready to see the world one small place at a time! My travel plans... 2entropy - USA (Wisconsin) - HERE NOW & HAVING A BLAST! goofychicken - The Netherlands BlackCat - Germany |
wmphimu Posted Jun 7, 2008, 10:15 pm |
What a fun first trip! I went this weekend with my owner to Baltimore to see the Boston Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles. Even though we were in Baltimore, we were cheering for the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez (who hit his 500th home run!). Here I am before the game Saturday...
And here I am during Sunday's game... |
wmphimu Posted Jun 7, 2008, 10:21 pm |
What an amazing morning we had! Today was the National Race for the Cure, a huge 5K race to raise money for breast cancer research. There were 50,000 people (and four toy voyagers) that walked and ran in the race today! (and Mara says that there are usually more, but the crazy heat kept a lot of people at home) First, we had to get ready. I skipped the sunblock, but Snuggles helped me and Plaid Moose to pin our race numbers on...
Then it was time for the race. It was hard to take pictures because of how many people were there and the weather (it was really hot, and the morning started really foggy), but here I am on the race course... The women in pink t-shirts are cancer survivors! And here I am at the finish line! (the building in the background is the one of the Smithsonian museums - The National Museum of the American Indian) We were really proud of our race - here we all are on a bench afterwards... ...and here we are catching a moment of shade under a plant near the Smithsonian Castle! Of course, before we got back in the car, I stopped for a picture in front of the Smithsonian Castle! |
wmphimu Posted Jun 12, 2008, 2:42 am |
We had a fun day today! When Mara got home from work she told us that a package arrived! First, we tore off the tape...
And then out popped Muumipeikko! But there was still noises in the traveling case... It's Mausi! But there was one more surprise... HitchaRideMo! Here we all are - We told them all how hot it has been here in Virginia - over 100 degrees each day - so we have been keeping cool inside in the air conditioning. But it is finally starting to cool off a bit, so we will go on an outing with everyone soon! |
wmphimu Posted Jun 12, 2008, 10:21 pm |
I'm so excited! My flight leaves this afternoon for my first trip - to Wisconsin! I can't wait! |
2entropy Posted Jun 14, 2008, 7:03 pm |
I have arrived safe and sound to Platteville, Wisconsin, located in the south-west part of "America's Dairyland!" Plenty of cows here, so I should fit right in and shouldn't get too homesick.
My hosts have informed me that I am lucky to have missed all the rain here last week. Many nearby areas experienced heavy flooding! The flooding has been wide-spread throughout the Mid-West USA and some are calling it a "500-year flood!" Even some cows were affected in nearby Spring Green, Wisconsin, but they got out OK. Here's a picture of it (photo from June 12, 2008 located on www.nbc15.com): This afternoon we are going to get a "MOOVE" on it and visit a farm. Maybe we'll see some cows. I can only hope! |
2entropy Posted Jun 15, 2008, 5:21 am |
This afternoon it rained so the visit to the cows didn't occur. However, we stopped to watch the 20 windmills between Cobb and Montfort Wisconsin. This windturbine farm can supply enough energy to power approximately 9,000 average Wisconsin homes and are each as tall as a 33-story building. They don't look so big in this picture. See the tiny windmills to the right of me?
We also saw many farms along our drive like the one below. Lastly, we took time to smell the roses. |
2entropy Posted Jun 16, 2008, 4:13 am |
I had a busy Father's day today, but still haven't seen any cows up close yet! Oh well, that's OK because there are other neat things to view here, too.
One of Platteville's main tourist sites is the world's largest letter "M" located on the Platte Mound. No, the M doesn't stand for "Moo", it represents the mining history of this area, and was built by University of Wisconsin-Platteville students in 1937. The M is 241 feet (73 m) high and 214 feet (65 m) wide, made of whitewashed rocks. You can climb the 266 stairs up to the top if you have lots of energy! Speaking of mining, we stopped by the Mining Museum in Platteville, too. You can find out about the history of mining in this area here and even go underground to visit a mine. Cows don't belong underground so I didn't venture there! |
2entropy Posted Jun 23, 2008, 4:53 am |
I've been enjoying a relaxing week with my host family. We haven't traveled far, but my new 3-year-old friend carries me around and makes sure I don't miss anything. Luckily, I don't weigh 1,000+ pounds like some real cows! Did you know that June is "Dairy Month" in Wisconsin? Here is a site all about dairy in Wisconsin - http://www.wisdairy.com/
I've especially enjoyed lounging on the deck. The weather has been gorgeous! I also was spotted at a baby shower this weekend and had a lot of fun, but no pictures of me there. Sorry! More to come this week... |
2entropy Posted Jun 24, 2008, 3:24 pm |
Last evening I visited a university!! UW-Platteville is a very picturesque place with lots of beautiful landscaping and interesting buildings. Here I am in front of the sign:
The Pioneer Tower is Grant County's tallest building. See it right above me on the left side? I am also sitting in the door handle in the second picture! UW-Platteville is also home to the largest recorded Northern Catalpa tree in Wisconsin! The tree is a designated "Champion Tree," and measures 20 feet around it's trunk. See the tree with all the pretty white flowers behind me in this picture? That's the one! Here's another view of the campus. You can see Williams Fieldhouse on the left, the smokestack of the heating plant, and the 5-years new Pioneer Student Center on the right. This year UWP is celebrating 100 years of engineering (little sign on the bottom of the picture). Both of my host parents attended the engineering school! |
2entropy Posted Jun 26, 2008, 12:56 am |
YEAH! After a long wait, I finally met some of my own kind today. The Pioneer Farm is part UW-Platteville's of the School of Agriculture. I visited the new Dairy Center today. Me standing outside the building! (Wacky picture because the camera wasn't working quite right)
The Dairy Center has many free stalls for the cows to stay in. Here I am in this area, hanging out with one of my new friends. See, there are both Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds here. Which one am I? A Holstein! Yum, Yum...Hay and Feed. The feast was delicious! |
2entropy Posted Jul 12, 2008, 5:37 am |
I had a GREAT 4th of July! I participated in Heritage Day at the Mining & Rollo Jamison Museum in Platteville. First I helped decorate a straw hat at Rountree Gallery. Isn't it lovely?
I sat on an antique Platteville firetruck. (Yes, I did get permission to pose on it. The owners are very nice!) Then I watched the train outside the museum. I was not brave enough to take a ride myself, so I sat on the fence! Later that night, I watched Platteville's exciting display of fireworks. (It was a much bigger display than what is shown in the picture.) What a perfect ending to Independence Day! |
2entropy Posted Jul 19, 2008, 5:02 am |
We took a short daytrip today to Dubuque, Iowa. I saw the mighty Mississippi River. Mississippi is such a fun name to spell! While we watched the river, the Spirit of Dubuque paddleboat passed by. Wonder if they allow cows on board? Hmm, this may not be for me...would hate to TIP overboard.
Here, in this closeup you can see the paddlewheel in action! |
2entropy Posted Jul 22, 2008, 10:46 pm |
Apparently, even if you are a cow, you can't visit Wisconsin without tasting some good beer, so the adults and I took a trip this weekend to the Potosi Brewing Company and National Brewery Museum located in Potosi, Wisconsin. The brewing company just had its grand "re-opening" a couple weeks back and is the talk of the area currently. The company was orginally founded in 1852 and at one time was one of the largest in Wisconsin, but in the 1970's it ceased operation. A restoration project has been underway for several years, and the result is a pretty nice travel destination. Here is a picture of me outside of the building which, by the way, is located along the longest main street without an intersection in the world (3 miles)!
Here I am perched on the Potosi Brewing Company beer wagon, happy as a cow! In the restaurant we ordered a few cold ones, brewed here right in the brewery. Of course, we had to taste test the beer! After a couple sips, I got a little tipsy-silly and danced on the bar. The bar was handcrafted by local artist Gary David, and it really is quite impressive. Hope he didn't mind a cow sitting on it! The Brewing Company is also home to the National Brewery Museum sponsored mainly by the American Breweriana Association and also the Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum so there are lots of different memorabilia related to beer to look at there, too. Here's the CAVE, where beer used to be stored. A spring runs through there and provides a nice, cool environment. Me overlooking a whole bunch of signs!! Recognize any brands? There are a lot of them! The most important part... To end the trip we stopped in the gift shop, and I made a whole bunch of new friends. All in all, I rate the restored brewery two hooves up! |
2entropy Posted Aug 5, 2008, 4:48 am |
I haven't seen a cheese factory yet but I did get a chance to sample some cheese at my host's home. Their favorite cheese is Muenster, and here I am cutting a slice just for me. Smile and say cheese!
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2entropy Posted Aug 5, 2008, 4:57 am |
Every Thursday night during the summer in Platteville you can attend the Music in the Park series. A local band called Mr. Obvious was performing this past Thursday. Look at me MOOVING and grooving to the beat!
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2entropy Posted Aug 5, 2008, 5:12 am |
It was a busy Sunday. First we drove past the place where Rural Route 1 Popcorn is made. Gourmet popcorn, a perfect snack for every person or the occasional discerning cow!
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2entropy Posted Aug 5, 2008, 5:31 am |
I finally got the chance to visit more bovine relatives. This time we went to a family farm, and I felt right at home. Mostly, I spent some quality time with the cute little calves. I especially liked the one nearest me with the heart on its head. Wish I had a marking like that!
Ahhh, fresh country air. You can't beat life on a farm. Wish I could've stayed forever! This family farm has an older barn (red one above) and a new modern free stall barn (white one below). I didn't visit during milking time, so I didn't get to see the parlor in use. There's always next time! |
2entropy Posted Sep 2, 2008, 1:28 pm |
This has been a stressful week for a Packer fan like me! Brett Farve is no longer a Packer; he's been traded to the JETS! Yellow Packer Duck and I have been keeping up-to-date reading the latest in the local newspaper and are trying our best to remain calm. Duck is so upset he refuses to let me wear his cheese hat.
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2entropy Posted Sep 2, 2008, 1:34 pm |
OK, it's finally the preseason opener for the Packers! Here's a picture of the new face of Packer football. Let the Aaron Rogers era commence! Well, it could have commenced better. The Packers lost 20-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Hmmm...could be in for a long season.
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2entropy Posted Sep 2, 2008, 1:57 pm |
Fair time! I'm so excited. It's my first trip to a fair! No, I am not attending as show cow, but as a spectator. Although, given the chance, I am positive I'd be a grand champion blue ribbon contender! The Grant County fair, held in Lancaster, WI, is one of many fairs held throughout Wisconsin during the summer months.
Me standing in the parking lot looking at the ferris wheel and grandstand. Here's some of my friends who competed this year. Have you seen Wilbur? He's "some pig," extremely terrific, radiant and humble. I don't see Charlotte or her web anywhere, either. What a bummer. |
2entropy Posted Sep 2, 2008, 2:24 pm |
I had to go on one last trip to a farm before I journeyed elsewhere. I am really going to miss Wisconsin! This time we visited my host family's grandparents farm.
Fresh corn is tasty, tasty. Better get out the garden before I am discovered. Cows aren't really welcome here I've heard. The cows here actually spend their time grazing in the pasture, with a stream nearby for water. Looks heavenly. Some cows have it made. Can't I stay forever? Before I leave, I'd like to share a lovely poem I read in a children's book while visiting my Wisconsin host family. THE COW The friendly cow all red and white, I love with all my heart: She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with apple-tart. She wanders lowing here and there, And yet she cannot stray, All in the pleasant open air, The pleasant light of day; And blown by all the winds that pass And wet with all the showers, She walks among the meadow grass And eats the meadow flowers. Goodbye, Wisconsin, land of cheese, beer, and COWS! I will miss you. Onto the Netherlands. |
2entropy Posted Sep 2, 2008, 2:29 pm |
I'm on my way to the Netherlands! |
goofychicken goofychicken@gmail.com Posted Sep 5, 2008, 8:16 pm |
hey!
want to say ive just been found! it took some time as the post man brought me this morning and patricia (goofychicken) just got home few minutes ago but she was very happy to see me as she is about to move house and she wispered in my ear that they have many cows near her new home just a few steps from her home no pictures yet as patricia was very tired but she did want to let you know i arived |