State Fair Madness

We found ourselves in West Allis tonight, attending the Wisconsin State Fair. A few things were missing this year -- no heat (it was almost chilly), no dry air (it rained quite a lot), and no Waunakee Ellen! For the first time in I don't know how long, Ellen was not able to join us on our annual pilgrimage to the fair. It was definitely different without Ellen along, but Julie and I made the best of things and had a great time, despite the inclement weather.

We arrived at the fairgrounds at about 5:15 pm, just in time for dinner. The rain held off long enough for us to make the rounds to our normal dining haunts. We had some root beer milk, banana milk, and chocolate milk, courtesy of Senator Herb Kohl. Julie munched on sweet corn, and we shared some delicious gooey cheese curds. Then it was on to the new taste sensation of the fair -- chocolate covered bacon.

Chocolate covered bacon is ... different and interesting. Frankly, I wouldn't mind if I never ate it again, but I'm glad I tried it. Bacon and chocolate go together surprisingly well, although bacon and peanut butter is head over heals a better combination.

After the choco bacon, we limited ourselves to sweets. When Julie finished her traditional cream puff, we encountered the beginnings of a 90-minute deluge of rain. We headed straight for the merchandise mart, and shopped and ate chocolate for over an hour. We found some good things to buy, including some soap and make-up for Julie, and some cool Obama Inauguration Celebration buttons for me.

When we were all shopped out, we made our way from building to building, avoiding the rain as best we could. In the Wisconsin Products Building, Julie played an impressive game of basketball at the Marquette University booth, shooting 31 points. That earned her a free water bottle and magnet, as well as cheers from some adoring fans.

Leaving that building, we noticed that the rain had temporarily stopped. We wandered through a few livestock buildings, and then made a beeline for the car. It was a great night, and we're already looking forward to next year's visit. Who knows, maybe Ellen will even join us.

PHOTOS: Top -- Julie proudly displays her cream puff, the holy grail of state fair-goers. Bottom -- I gnaw on my first of two chunks of chocolate covered bacon.