Carol Kroll

A fabulous day at the Wisconsin Dells with my sister!

Yesterday, my sister and I went to The Dells. We had a blast to say the least.

A little back story…

As kids, our parents had “a plot” at a campground about 4 hours from our home for our camper to be parked at in the summers (like this). I think we started doing that when I was 10 up until I was 16. My sister and I both have great memories from that time despite the fact that I was changing into a complaining/miserable teenager, quite concerned about my hair-sprayed hair and other frivolities in years to come. It was right around then when my parents bowed out of the camper-world of camping and sold our camper and gave up our plot at Deer Trail Campground in Nakoosa, WI.

But before that, my sister and I spent many enjoyable summers playing together, riding our bikes, goofing around and going fishing up at the campground. The world was a much bigger place for us back then. I am really glad now that my parents decided to do that for us.

The trips back home stunk, however. They were long, hot and everyone was crabby and didn’t want to go back (to school if it was fall) or work (in my parent’s case) My father was (is?) not a fan of The Dells. The massive amounts of people, the traffic, the tackiness of it all. My Mom equally as unimpressed by all the noise, commercialism craziness and traffic. However, there were times when doom and gloom filled the car on the way home back to Racine, that my father would go out of his way to drive through The Dells, once in a while “stopping” to have a little diversion and let us get out and go nuts. True, his parents were more the ones that took us to the attractions, but grandparents have more time and patience (and retirement) for that kind of craziness. Now as an adult, my sister and I both see his point. Although at the time, we didn’t understand why he was not a fan of what seemed to be this wondrous place.

Yesterday we decided to give into all of the lofty ideas of avoiding The Dells and embrace it for the weird, unique and wondrous place that it is. Plus we went on a Wednesday and not a weekend. Key component to our enjoyment. Besides photos, I also tried my hand at some live footage with my camera. It’s just a little digital camera, so unfortunately it didn’t pick up my sister’s commentary too well, but I’m crazy loud and clear. And yes, that is me screaming “ROME!” when the movie starts because I wasn’t expecting to visit Rome on my day at The Dells. My extreme excitement and giddiness all around is turned up to 11, so you may want to turn down your volume. I clearly didn’t.

Our first stop was getting something to eat. Cindy suggested a caboose that sells hot dogs and Polish tacos. Well of course I’m in. RAIL DOG! That’s what the place was called. We each had a hot dog (Polish tacos next time) that came with fries and some diet cokes totaling $9. They were delicious and the man inside making all these items was funny and nice. Doesn’t get much better than that.

This thing was so cool. You could even go in and order and we did.

Exactly…

I just dug how the menu looked.

After that, we went over to Storybook Gardens. Oh me, oh my. Unfortunately the place had changed since 1977. I know normal people wouldn’t be shocked, but I was. Gone were all the “extras” they hired back in the day to portray all the scenes from children’s books like Little Bo Peep, Cinderella, Mother Goose and my fav Alice In Wonderland. What was left were the statues created in the 50’s. Cool on their own, and still surprised they were even there but left me a little sad inside.

The beginning of the park is a ship. We don’t know why.

We were only guessing that this was Old King Cole. And his merry old souls. His marker was missing.

Jack Be Nimble, sure…

…but as Cindy keenly pointed out, “What is with THAT TRAP DOOR!?”

My sister relaxing under a giant mushroom. We felt like we had eaten part of this after we left the grounds.

No idea, but it was in an enclosed area so it couldn’t get out.

Alice in Wonderland! My hands down favorite as a kid.

If memory serves correctly, there used to be live white rabbits under the watering can and came out that hole.

Cinderella! My sister “Cindy’s” favorite childhood tale of course!

Sadly, this marker for the Cinderella exhibit served as a type of metaphor.

They added exotic animals in little cages and this we couldn’t understand. The one regret I have is that I didn’t take a movie of us “petting” the giraffe. Not only are those animals HUGE, but neither of us have ever gotten THAT close to one, ever. So we went up the tower to go meet the giraffe (as one does) to give it some food, but a fact that was not considered is that giraffes have enormously long tongues ! Purple sea serpents they look like. And feel like sandpaper. Gooey sandpaper. Gross is an understatement. I only got shots of him after he was done eating.

Notice the saliva trail strings?

Despite the tongue factor, these creatures were really gentle and very interesting to watch.

My sister also got stung by a bee at Storybook making it extra eventful. I felt awful for her. Needless to say, she might avoid my ideas to go places in the future although I hope not. We laughed a ton despite the small setbacks offered at The Gardens.

We decided to “relax” after that whole experience by going on a duck ride. I took this photo, however, in the parking lot of the Storybook Gardens before we headed over to The Ducks. It looked depressing so I didn’t want to miss my opportunity.

Anyway, if you ever get to The Dells, we both highly recommend it taking a Dells Duck tour. The scenery is out of this world, not to mention it is just fun to be driving one minute and then drive right into the water and troll around.

Not much has changed from “the main strip” of The Dells that I remember as a kid. Sure the huge water-parks have moved into town along with the huge hotels, but a lot of the old hotels and stores have stayed the same and the way I remember. Wood floors creaking, drums being sold, the smell of candy being made everywhere. I was really happy to see this. And really appreciating the good time I was having with my sister.

Enjoy some more photos from the day including some really cool vintage signs that are still in tact and not looking like they are going anywhere.

Yes, the giant Trojan Horse we were giggling about in the video. Taken from The Ducks parking lot.

Some cool sign-age.

…although we shared some peanut butter fudge instead. Think it was the other sign that did it.

One of my favorites.

They still make them and they are still there!

Nobody obeyed the sign.

Cindy’s sweet retro find!

She and I used to have these exact same boards and play with them on the way to the campground.

They had Madonna and MJ too. We’re pretty sure these have been here since the various groups were popular. The wooden worn floors told us so.

This one I found more entertaining than anything.