Farmers in the Dells

I don't know where exactly the real Farmer in the Dell was hanging out, but this farm family was hanging out in the beautiful dells of Wisconsin not too long ago. I have to admit: when I first arrived in Wisconsin Dells, it was not at all what I was expecting: it screamed "TOURIST TRAP!!" if you know what I mean. But once we got out on the river, all of my expectations were met!

 The kids were impressed with the dam while we waited and bided out time for the river tours to start that morning.

 We took 2 tours: one of the lower Wisconsin River on the famous Wisconsin Ducks and another of the upper river.

 I think this was my favorite of the rock formations. Doesn't that look just like a broken piano that fell off of Pulpit Rock?

 Our guide told us that the word "dells" means many flat layers of rock.

 We saw lots of wildlife on river tours...from woodland creatures to water fowl.

 Our guide also told us that the name Wisconsin is an Indian word meaning dark rushing waters...colored by the tannins in the swampy headwaters in northern Wisconsin...very similar to the tannins that color my Coke Zero. Only Coke calls it caramel coloring instead of tannins.

 I remained seriously impressed at the many varied shapes the water has carved out of these soft rocks.

 All I can say is that God uses all of the tools in his toolbox when he works on his canvas.

 See that dog up there? I'm going to tell you more about him later...and his re-creation of a historic event sure to impress you photography enthusiasts.

I will say the river was COLD! I guess that's because our guides said the dells serve as nature's air conditioners and the temperature can be 10-20 degrees cooler down in the dells than up on top.

But we definitely had a great time. :)