An Annual Get Away

It was a quick turnaround for me. We arrived home from an almost four-week trip to North Carolina, and two days later I was driving to Madison, Wisconsin to meet up with a friend for our annual get away.

Frances and I.

We have been meeting once or twice a year since 1989. Earlier this year we had planned to meet on two different occasions, but each time we had to cancel, so we squeezed in a trip during the busy holiday season. We did not want to break our record and miss a year. 

Colorful dogwood shoots with a pagoda in the background at Olbrich Gardens.

My friend and I met many years ago during a church greeting time. Soon after, she gave birth to her first born and I offered to bring her lunch. Not knowing the protocol for bringing new mom’s lunch or dinner at that time, I simply brought her a tuna fish sandwich in a brown paper bag. 

BUT… God multiplied that simple lunch into a nourishing friendship that has spanned almost 40 years and is still going strong. 

Grasses and kale.
Beautiful blue/green myrtle spurge.

Madison is a good half way point for us, and is our default destination when we don’t have a lot of time. Our criteria for choosing destinations is the area has to have gardens, water (lake, river, ocean) and antique/thrift stores.

A huge cottonwood tree standing tall and proud without its leaves.
A carefully placed birch stump that looks like an owl.

Although it was a cold and windy December day, we enjoyed walking around Olbrich Botanical Garden in Madison. We have been there many times. Although no plants were blooming, the textures and contrasts of the different fall/winter plants were vibrant.

Lake Monona is across the street. The lake was full of white caps. 

Fruitful berries for the birds.
Buds ready for next spring.

We discovered two great restaurants for dinner each night. We’d recommend both. Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry has been in business for 47 years making delicious hamburgers, and it did not disappoint. 

Neon sign for Dotty’s.
This restaurant offered delicious hamburgers. We understand why it was voted as having favorite burgers. They were juicy and tasty.

The Old Stamm House, in an old stone house, had the best Brussel sprouts I’ve ever tasted.

I don’t normally take pictures of food, but these Brussel sprouts were scrumptious!

The lobster ravioli was great, and to top it off we had a Crème Brulée (we split everything, therefore we could enjoy an appetizer and dessert).

Old Stamm House building from 1847…it is not the original site of the restaurant.
I love the looks of stone houses.
Inside the Old Stamm House.

Our shopping times were fruitful in finding a few inexpensive little treasures here and there, which provides us with much entertainment just from the hunt! 

Back home now, I will settle in and start getting ready for the Christmas season.

8 thoughts on “An Annual Get Away”

  1. This is remarkable, to have a friendship spanning 40 years that began with a tuna sandwich. And that you’ve gotten together yearly is also remarkable. I love this story of enduring friendship so much.

    And you know I love Madison, especially Olbrich.

  2. How lovely to have so much history with a person. What a gift that is! I am glad you were able to keep your record intact!

  3. Having a group of friends who met 50 years ago in a small church in Olivia,MN and get together once a year too, I can really how treasured your friendship is. I was at Olbrich Botanical Gardens early in the summer and things were so beautiful! Glad to hear you had this special time with your friend.

    1. What a wonderful tradition you have with your treasured friends.

      I think Olbrich Gardens is a beautiful spot, anytime of year! 😉

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