Madison: Out and About

Once again, it's time for a spring break road trip, this time to beautiful Wisconsin.

Oh, wait, I went to Wisconsin last year for spring break. Well, this time it's a different part: Madison and parts southwest of there. Today, a look at Madison.


An informal comic drawn by Alison Bechdel for the staff at A Room of One's Own bookstore. Framed and displayed in the store.


Watch out, this house is hungry for cars!


One of the many German-themed paintings inside the Rathskeller at the University's Memorial Union.


Down the hall from the Rathskeller is the Paul Bunyan room, decorated with paintings created by James Watrous from 1933-1936, under the auspices of the WPA. The murals generally show the eponymous Paul, along with Babe the Blue Ox, but I especially liked this painting of the Mosquito Bee, with a stinger at both ends. Sounds like Wisconsin has the same state bird as Minnesota.


You know you're in a good town when you see a revolving Octopus Car Wash sign. (Minneapolis lost its octopus some while ago, unfortunately.)


All the best treats can be found in Madison...


...as well as the best kitchen appliances for women...


...and even the best politicians (Joe McCarthy, cast in plaster at the Wisconsin Historical Museum).